In The Viscount's Arms by Allyson Jeleyne

Author:Allyson Jeleyne [Jeleyne, Allyson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, romance novels, regency romance
Publisher: Fifty Forty Productions
Published: 2019-09-04T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Lord Althorne’s friends made for amusing company. Mr. Swygert had escorted her into dinner, and seemed happy to do so—even if she was only the governess. He and Lord Crewe were quick with a joke, no doubt to keep her mind away from the horrid Mrs. Raines, who monopolized His Lordship’s attention.

Miss Raines vied for the duke’s eye, but he seemed more interested in Octavia’s conversation. His Grace ate a good deal and drank much more. He seemed a man of culture, fond of excess, but not stuffy or self-important.

Really, he was nothing like she imagined a duke would be. Or should be.

Mr. Swygert swirled a sliver of fish into the sauce on his plate, and then consumed it. The turbot was delicious, and the white sauce proved an elegant pairing.

“Lovely station you’ve got in Longstone,” the gentleman said to her. “I wager you and your sisters are glad to have it—the wide world at your doorstep, and all that.”

“I’ve never been on a train, but the station is a boon to the village. Mr. Harris at the White Lion has never been so busy. We’ve a proper post office now, giving jobs to some of the local lads whose families could use the salary.” She smiled. “And it has brought you fine lot.”

“ ‘Fine lot?’ ” Mr. Swygert roared with laughter. “The world, indeed!”

Wadebridge swiveled in his chair, curious to see what they were laughing about. Miss Raines looked across the table and frowned. Further up, Mrs. Raines remained deep in conversation with Lord Althorne.

His Lordship sawed into his fish, looking rather grim.

Octavia had hardly taken a moment to dissect what had occurred in the library. That scene, his admission—“Are you shocked that I might think of you as a woman? You are very attractive.”—was unfathomable.

She was a governess in his household…and yet, his friend. She sat at his table, spent nearly every day at his side. She laughed with him, walked with him. Talked with him. When he’d put his hands on her and pulled her into his strong, sure embrace, nothing had ever felt so right.

Octavia was here tonight, mingling with his friends, for a reason. He had waited for her, even though she was twenty minutes late. But did he notice her, as the others did, or had she faded from his view at the farthest end of his table?

When dinner was finished, the last glasses filled, and plates cleared away, Octavia had passed the hour without a word—barely a nod—from the one gentleman whose attention mattered. He spent the evening charming Mrs. Raines, and while he had secretly sworn never to marry her daughter, the two certainly had a great deal to talk of.

Thankfully, the ladies rose at Lady Crewe’s insistence. It was time they retired to the drawing room, leaving the gentlemen to their port.

Octavia could not join them, for Leah awaited.

The child never went to bed without being tucked snugly beneath the sheets. She never settled without her bedtime story, always read by her Uncle Simon.

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