A Christmas Waltz with the Viscount: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Abigail Agar

Author:Abigail Agar [Agar, Abigail]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regal Quill Publishing
Published: 2024-10-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Two days after the greenhouse debacle, James noticed that he hadn’t seen Lily in a while. She seemed to be ghosting about the house, and she avoided his presence whenever possible. Given that they had been on good footing, he couldn’t understand the sudden shift in attitude.

After the ball, she’d seemed content with the way things were between them, but he’d been so busy that he hadn’t been paying as much attention to her. Maybe something had happened to push her away?

To that end, he summoned their housekeeper. If anyone would know what was going on, Mrs. Taylor would. She kept an eye on the whole household and was always tuned in to whatever gossip was circulating.

She stepped into his office after a polite knock at the door and curtsied. “Lord Northwell. What may I do for you today?”

“Sit.” He waved toward an empty chair across from his desk. “I wanted to speak to you about Lily.”

“Miss Presley, my lord? Is something the matter?” Mrs. Taylor’s brow furrowed. “I have heard nothing to indicate she is ill or that there has been trouble.”

“She has been avoiding me,” James said, getting straight to the point. “For at least the past two days, if not for longer. Did something happen at the ball or after it that she has not made me aware of? Did I do something to upset her? You see, I thought that our relationship was improving, until I realized that I have barely seen her and have not spoken to her at all for days.”

Mrs. Taylor cleared her throat and avoided his gaze. “You should ask her yourself, my lord. Truly, I have no place telling you what is going through the young Miss’s mind.”

“You work in my household, Mrs. Taylor, and what goes in this household is my business. If I ask you to share with me what is going on, you should share what you know,” he said firmly.

“And I would, but your sister’s confidences are not mine to betray. You can ask her yourself, my lord. I am certain she will tell you her complaints if you demonstrate that you care.” Mrs. Taylor rose. “I do not mean to be insubordinate, but there are some lines I simply cannot cross.”

James nodded. He didn’t like the answer, but deep down, he knew she was right to give it. “Very well. I will go and find her to ask her myself. You are dismissed, Mrs. Taylor.”

The housekeeper curtsied and then bustled off to return to her own duties.

James rose and left his study to go in search of his sister. He didn’t know quite where to start, but if she shared his love for peaceful locations in turbulent moments, the greenhouse seemed as good a starting point as any.

Fortunately, when he stepped inside the warm, steamy enclosure, he spotted Lily nearby, watering a plant. She didn’t have to care for the plants here, but it was plain that she had chosen to care for at least this one anyway.

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