Page 7 of Crimes, Conspiracies, and Courtship (Paddy’s Peelers Mystery #1)

CHAPTER 6

M attie ran up the stairs to her bedchambers, threw open the door, and launched herself onto the canopied bed. He would meet her at the Royal Academy next week. She had already been to the summer exhibition, but there was so much to see. And talk about. To a man. A very handsome man.

“If you act with such wild abandon, your mother will know something is up,” Franny warned, smoothing her own reddish-brown tresses back into place. “Will you be able to keep your word to Mr. Walters?”

Mattie chewed her bottom lip. “I will. I must. If I can practice the inane topics I’m not supposed to venture from during the Season, then Mama will be placated.”

“From your expression at the park, and this moment, I have grave doubts.” She paused, then blurted, “It would break my heart if someone broke yours.”

Mattie’s hand went to her chest. “Franny, what a beautiful sentiment.” She ran to the woman who had been like an older sister and hugged her tightly. “I will be fine. I realize I am smitten with Mr. Walters because he’s the first man I’m comfortable with. No illusions there. I think our plan will work.”

“What plan?” asked her mother, passing in the hall. Lady Darby popped her head in, her blonde hair pulled back in a modest twist. Her blue eyes alert.

Mattie’s mind went blank. She couldn’t tell her mother the truth. Instead, she stared at her like a deer in the line of fire.

“Lady Matilda has come up with a brilliant idea. She will write down some topics of conversation for next Season and practice her answers. Then, when her shyness tries to take over, the words will still come out.” Franny smiled at Lady Darby. “We were hoping you could help us with the dialogue.”

Mattie saw the tenderness in her mother’s eyes, listening to Franny’s altered version of the truth. It was times like this when Mattie knew her mother did truly love her. She had a hard shell, but beneath it, Mama had a deep affection for her children.

“A splendid idea.” Lady Darby moved down the hall, still pondering the idea. “We will devise one for the weather, the last event to have taken place, and…”

“Thank you, Franny. She took me by surprise and my mouth refused to open.” She gave her maid another quick hug. Something else the two of them hid from Lady Darby. The countess would never have approved of a close friendship between the two.

* * *

Two days later at the musicale

Mattie sat in the hot room, listening to Miss Rapperton torture the ivories of the pianoforte. There were at least three dozen fans flapping back and forth at high speed. The audience wore the same tolerant smile pasted on their faces. She prayed the next presentation would be better.

“I’m tempted to put my fingers in my ears,” whispered Nicholas, on her left. “I can’t believe you talked me into this.”

“Papa once told me how he would bring scraps of cloth and stuff them in his ears when Mama would drag him to the opera,” she whispered back.

“You could have shared that bit of information before we left,” he replied with a dig of his elbow.

Mattie traced the embroidered pattern on the edges of her cream-colored shawl . It hadn’t been a needed accessory, but it gave her hands something to fiddle with. She had worn her mother’s choice of a simple Pomona muslin with a sash of darker green about the high waist. Thankfully, her hair was twisted into a chignon, leaving her nape bare to any stray breeze which might make an appearance through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Applause erupted when the hostess’s daughter finished.

“We mustn’t clap too loudly, or she’ll try to play another,” her mother hissed in Mattie’s ear. “I’m realizing how fortunate I am to have a daughter who is at least capable in everything she attempts.”

Mattie warmed at the compliment. Considering Mama’s temperament, it was high praise indeed. Since her mother had heard about “the plan,” there had been a change in her demeanor. The defensive tone was gone. And she was enjoying this milder version of Lady Darby. Over the last two days, they had actually enjoyed each other’s company.

When the last performer had finished, Darby leaned over. “We must get out of here. Would you join me for a walk in the garden?”

“Thank you,” she agreed in a rush. “Mama, I’m going with Nicholas for a stroll in the garden.”

“Don’t be gone long. I cannot stay in this heat for too much longer.” Lady Darby gave Mattie’s arm a squeeze and moved toward a group of guests surrounding the hostess.

Her brother took her around a lovely, shaded walk. “Oh, this feels heavenly compared to the crowded music room. I’m still a little shocked you agreed to come, Nicky. Is it guilt?”

He nodded. “I have been gone a great deal. Hopefully, once the two smaller properties in the south are making a profit—or at least not costing us anything—I’ll be able to spend more time at home. I’ve missed you, Sister.”

She laid her head on his shoulder and hugged his arm as they ambled down the path. “Me, too.”

“I have a question, hypothetical, to ask.” She gave him a side-glance and saw his attention on her. “It goes without saying that I’m extremely tongue-tied when around other gentlemen.”

“An understatement and a dilemma I’ve never understood. How many times have I wished for you to stop talking?” He looked to the sky as if asking a higher being. She slapped his arm.

“I’m serious. I need your opinion.”

He stopped their progress and turned to face her. “I am all ears.”

She laughed. “That puts the silliest image in my head.”

Darby rolled his eyes. “Your question?”

“Suppose I met a gentleman, not of the ton , who I became friends with. Would it be terrible to run into him and enjoy his company on occasion?”

“Hypothetically, how would you meet this commoner?” His deep-blue eyes narrowed. “Where exactly would you like to meet him and why?”

Mattie spotted a bench and pulled her brother to it. She twisted her hands in her lap, then took a deep breath, and plunged in. “I met a man at St. James’s Park. He saved a little boy from a swan attack, and then the swans went after him, so I intervened with my parasol to allow him to escape the lake, and then of course we had to invite him to share our blanket while he dried off.” She stopped to drag in another breath, turning red when she noticed Nicholas’s amused expression.

“So, you are wondering if you see him again at St. James’s, would it be appropriate to speak with him again?”

She nodded. “Because of the odd situation, we’ve already met, though not officially.”

“And your maid and Mr. Jones always accompany you?” he asked. “Do they know this gentleman?”

“Not before that day.” Mattie wanted to keep Mr. Walters her secret, worrying if her mother found out, the friendship would end.

“Do you like him?”

“The truth is, Nicky, he is the first male not related to me who I could talk to without effort. He is not suitable for courting, but I thought if I practiced with him… Well, it would be easier when Mama is pushing me at men next spring.” She blew out a loud breath. “It is not the same practicing with another woman.”

“Perhaps if I met the man?—”

“No, I don’t want to scare him away. He’s not in our social circle, though he’s an upstanding man. I’m sure he would be intimidated by you.” She grabbed his forearm with both her hands. “I thought to keep this my secret, but I cannot hide anything from you, Nicky.”

“Do you promise never to be alone with him?” he asked, covering her hands with his and studying her intently. “The maid and driver will always be next to you?”

“Of course.” Hope swelled in her chest. “I am glad I told you.”

“Keep any conversations to under a half hour or less. If you cross paths again.”

She leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you, Nicky. I will.”

* * *

That night she went to bed with images of Mr. Walters haunting her when she closed her eyes. She dreamt he was a medieval soldier who saved her from the enemy. Her uncle, the king, knighted Mr. Walters and told him to ask any favor in return for saving Lady Matilda.

If I can truly have anything, I would take your niece as my wife.

Mattie threw her arms around the newly appointed knight and kissed him. The touch of his mouth sizzled her lips, and she drew in her breath. His kiss was tender yet demanding. Bold yet subtle. The love in his eyes brought tears to hers. He twirled her round and round, proclaiming to the court he would have the most beautiful bride in all the land.

Mattie woke with the sheets twisted about her. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled, gazing out at the moon glinting through the open window.

At least she could have Mr. Walters in her dreams.

Then another thought occurred to her.

How could she ever look him in the eye again after such a kiss?