The Lady's Second-Chance Suitor by Scott, Regina (christmas read aloud txt) 📗

“Why do you need my delight?” Hester asked, though she didsmile. “You appear to be the talk of the village tonight.”

He tugged at his cravat around his neck. “I’m entirely toopopular. One more conversation with the vicar, and I’ll likely donate the Lodgefor the care and feeding of indigent pigeons.”

Hester laughed, then schooled her face as Mrs. Greerventured closer.

“My lord,” she said, completely ignoring Hester at his side.“We were wondering. That is, I had thought. Well, what would you think about anappointment to the spa council?”

She obviously considered it a boon. Her beaming smile saidas much. Hester glanced at Rob. It was such a tiny thing compared to the titleand privileges he now wielded. Would he understand?

He stood and took the lady’s hand, then bowed over it. “Youhonor me, Mrs. Greer. But I cannot know when I will be called back to Londonabout some matter of import to the nation. Perhaps you might consider LordFeatherstone as my agent. I have found him to be of sound mind and civildemeanor.”

“An excellent suggestion, my lord,” she simpered as hereleased her. “I’ll go ask him this very moment and let you know his answer.”She turned in a swirl of white silk and hurried off.

“Quick,” Rob said, holding out a hand to Hester. “Have pityand dance with me. Please.”

She could not refuse such a request. She took his hand andlet him lead her onto the floor.

They had never danced in public before. On one occasion, sheremembered, he’d capered across the grass while they both laughed, but that wasas close as they had come. She wasn’t surprised to find him graceful andaccomplished. Indeed, he excelled in the little extra flourishes—skipping whenhe might have walked, pointing his toe when others merely took a step. Thelooks being directed her way from some of the other ladies could only be calledenvious.

And when he took her hands and twirled her, her heart dancedas well.

Perhaps she should have refused to partner him. She’d onlyraised her mother’s expectations anew, and after this, half of Upper Gracewould be gossiping as well. Yet dancing with Rob felt so good, so free, thatshe allowed herself a moment to forget her concerns, lost in the joy of simplybeing with him.

The relatively few dancers meant they must stand out for ameasure at one point. Hester became aware of Mrs. Greer pacing along the edgeof the dancefloor, as if ready to pounce on Rob the moment the music stopped.

“Why did you refuse her?” Hester asked. “I don’t recall yourfather having a post of great import in the government.”

He kept his face toward her, but she could see his gazefollowing the Spa Corporation Council president’s wife. “In truth, I didn’tthink it my place. Who am I to say what Grace-by-the-Sea’s famous spa shouldbe?”

Hester stared at him. “Who are you? You are ViscountPeverell, owner of most of the property in the area.”

He tugged at his cravat again, wrinkling the material beyondredemption. “That is what I try to tell myself.”

She could not believe his humility. “What happened to thatbrash young man who pretended to court me one summer?”

He met her gaze, his own dark and determined. “He became amore solid fellow who no longer has the luxury of pretending.”

The music required their attention then, and she did nothave an opportunity to question him further. He only had a moment to return herto her chair before Mrs. Greer captured him and dragged him off on some errand.Hester watched as he consulted with Lord Featherstone and Mr. Greer, Mr. Donnerhovering nearby. It was all very civil and proper. The sort of steady fellowshe applauded.

What was she to do with the new Rob?

Chapter Ten

She did not have another opportunity tospeak to Rob before her mother and Rosemary collected her to return home. For amoment, in the coach, it was like yesterday—the three of them united, makingplans, strategizing actions. But as the coach approached Upper Grace, theirmother directed her attention to Hester.

“Lord Peverell was quite solicitous,” she ventured. “Even ifMrs. Greer saw fit to monopolize his time.”

Rosemary cast Hester a quick glance. “She must toady whileshe can, Mother. He’ll likely be leaving soon.”

The fact was not as encouraging as it once had been.

As soon as they returned to the house, they all retreated tothe room Hester and Rosemary had once shared, where Rebecca waited, stockingedfeet sticking out below her pink flannel nightgown and arms hugging Esmeralda,who was also dressed for bed in a matching nightgown. Hester sat on the bed andtucked her daughter close as her mother and sister examined the new gowns,which had been delivered that afternoon.

Their mother alternated between beaming and bawling, thoughshe insisted they were tears of joy.

“At least one of my daughters will be happily wed,” sheexplained, dabbing at her eyes as if fearing her tears would fall on the finesilk.

“Hester was happily wed, too, Mother,” Rosemary reminded herwith a look to Rebecca, who was watching her grandmother with obvious concern.

“Of course she was,” their mother agreed with a sniff. “Butwe all know what happened to Lieutenant Todd.”

“My papa was a hero,” Rebecca chimed in, hugging Esmeralda.“He was very brave. I must be very brave too.”

Hester slipped an arm about her daughter’s shoulders whereshe sat next to her on the bed. “Right now, let’s just be happy for your auntRosemary. You remember your part in the wedding?”

Rebecca nodded solemnly. “I carry a basket of pretty leavesin front of Aunt Rosemary all the way to the vicar. And I walk like a lady, norunning or skipping.”

“Very good,” Rosemary said. “And then where do you go?”

“To Grandmother,” Rebecca said.

“That’s right,” Hester told her. “I’ll be walking rightbehind you, but I’ll need to stay at the altar with Aunt Rosemary. You’ll sitwith your grandmother in the very front pew on the side opposite the prettyglass windows.”

“Oh, it will be so lovely,” their mother said, tearsstarting to flow again.

“Now, Mother,” Rosemary said, wrapping her arms around her.“Why don’t you get some rest? I’m sure Rebecca would love to have you tuck herin too.”

Rebecca looked up at Hester.