The Poor Relation by Bennett Margaret

Author:Bennett, Margaret [Bennett, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Margaret Anne Bennett Feuerbacher
Published: 2013-04-20T00:00:00+00:00

*** Chapter 10 ***

The next day, Chloe did her best to avoid the Viscount. She had Hannah bring breakfast to her, spent the morning with her aunt, and sat at the other end of the table from him during lunch. She read to the baroness most of the afternoon, even though the old lady slept through a good part of Mrs. Ann Radcliffe’s Mysteries of Udolpho.

By dinnertime, Chloe suspected that the Viscount had a similar goal in mind, for he seemed to be keeping his distance from her as well. Never once did he glance her way when she entered the drawing room. Yet inexplicably, once Chloe realized he was just as intent on avoiding her, it rankled, even upon owning to herself that was exactly what she’d sought. Deciding to at least appear unaffected by the infuriating man, Chloe resolutely pulled herself up short whenever her eyes began to stray toward where he sat a few chairs across the table from her. After dinner, when the men rejoined the ladies in the drawing room, her attention was claimed by Lady Agatha Howard.

“I have known your aunt any number of years, Miss Woodforde, yet I cannot imagine why we have never met in London.” Lady Howard had requested Chloe share with her a pair of wingbacks positioned in one corner of the enormous room, hence providing a comfortable coze.

“I have only lived with Lady Milbanke for two years, my lady.”

“Two years, you say?” Lady Howard gave Chloe a smile before continuing what was beginning to feel like an interrogation. “I distinctly recall seeing your aunt at Lady Smythe-Russells’s summer rout last year, and you were not there.”

“More than likely you saw Lady Milbanke at the card tables. I usually remain in the ballroom where I can enjoy listening to the music.”

“Do you dance, Miss Woodforde?”

“Yes,” she answered, puzzled by the other woman’s inquisition. Her expression must have conveyed her thoughts because Lady Howard let out a peel of laughter.

“You must think me a ninny, asking all these questions, but you see, my dear, I know very little about you. Surely I would have remembered bumping into you on the dance floor at the Smythe-Russells’.”

Chloe, wondering where all this would lead, shifted uncomfortably in her chair. As she did so, her eyes inadvertently caught Camden making his way across the room straight for her aunt. The baroness, it appeared, was having greater difficulty than usual negotiating a straight path, colliding into a pedestal side table littered with bric-a-brac. Fortunately, no disastrous crash followed, though she had little time to reflect on this.

~~~~~

Lady Howard met Chloe’s clear hazel eyes, and saw that the young woman was somewhat embarrassed at having been caught watching the Viscount before she answered, “I do dance, my lady, but I am seldom asked to take to the floor.”

“I find that hard to believe, especially with your pretty face.”

“It is not my lack of looks, but a dowry that is wanting,” Chloe explained with bluntness.

“But, but surely...” stammered Lady Howard.

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