Page 30 of Mischief and Manors (Change of Heart #1)

CHAPTER 30

M rs. Kellaway insisted that I join her and the other ladies for tea that afternoon. Despite my inner objections, I had agreed out of politeness.

As Owen had said, I couldn’t avoid them forever.

“The biscuits are quite dry,” Miss Lyons said in an offhand voice. She dunked one into her teacup, letting it soak for several seconds. She wore pink, and I felt my distaste for the color returning. Or perhaps it was just my distaste for Miss Lyons.

Owen’s departure had shocked everyone in the household yet again, and I suspected Miss Lyons was quite bitter toward me. To the others, he seemed to have left because of the awkwardness that the fake engagement had caused. The subject was being thoroughly scrutinized while I kept quiet on the settee.

“I think the answer is simple,” Alice said as she stirred a sugar cube into her tea. “Owen left because he didn’t want to put Miss Downing in a compromising position. The servants have been talking ceaselessly of Grandmother’s falsehood. If Owen remained in the same house as Miss Downing, their rumored engagement might gain credibility amongst the gossipmongers.”

Mrs. Everard lifted one thin eyebrow. “Is it not possible he has left to avoid another matter entirely?” She eyed Miss Lyons. “It is no secret you are seeking his hand.”

Miss Lyons lowered her teacup to her saucer with a clatter, innocent blue eyes rounding. “I have the deepest respect for Dr. Kellaway, but I assure you, I am not.”

“You are seeking his estate, then?” Mrs. Everard chuckled, but no one else made a sound.

Miss Lyons scowled, a rare break in her smooth complexion. “I am here with no other purpose but to enjoy the company of this esteemed family. I am Alice’s guest.”

Mrs. Kellaway cast a harsh look at her mother. “And mine as well! You will begin treating all my guests with respect.”

Mrs. Everard pursed her lips, but didn’t reply. Was there any truth to the claims she had given me about Miss Lyons’s plans to ensnare Owen? I no longer knew what to believe. It could have all been one great misunderstanding.

Miss Lyons stood with a flustered sigh, brushing a pale curl from her forehead. “I cannot bear such accusations a moment longer. My friendship with Alice is my greatest treasure, and she will attest to my character, won’t you Alice?”

Alice blinked up at her with a nod.

Miss Lyons took a deep breath, her blue eyes turning on me. “If there is anyone I suspect came here with designs on Dr. Kellaway, it is surely Miss Downing. Dr. Kellaway has run away from her now, depriving all of us of his company until the ball.” She wiped at her eye, but I didn’t see any tears. “Please excuse me.” She fled from the room, somehow maintaining her perfect posture as she went.

Mrs. Kellaway jumped to her feet, throwing a flustered glance at her mother. “That was uncalled for!”

Mrs. Everard let out a long breath through her nose, casting me a look of long-suffering. Did she think I was her ally in this situation?

“Come with me to apologize to Miss Lyons at once.” Mrs. Kellaway waved her mother forward, and she grudgingly followed.

I watched, baffled, as she and Mrs. Kellaway left the room.

Alice stared into her teacup. Her auburn curls were perfectly shaped, framing her tense features. The silence enveloped us, so I took a gulp of tea. It burned my throat.

“I have been meaning to apologize,” Alice said, glancing up. “Charlotte was not kind to you in the orangery the other day. She—well, she does struggle with compassion. She is not blessed with a family as kind as my own, though that is no excuse for being unkind herself.”

I thought of Lady Pembury’s catlike smile, and had to agree.

Alice set her teacup down and clasped her hands together. “Charlotte is my friend, and has been since my childhood, but I often find myself ashamed of her behavior. I would not wish you to be harmed by the cruelty of her words. Do not take them to heart.” She lifted her chin. “ I think you are wonderful. I deeply admire your strength, and how you manage your sweet brothers. They clearly adore you.” Her sincere eyes made me realize how I had misjudged her.

I smiled. “That is very kind. Thank you, Miss Kellaway.”

Her eyes rounded. “Please—call me Alice.”

I laughed, looking down at my own teacup. “Thank you, Alice. Miss Lyons is fortunate to have a friend like you.”

She sighed. “I only wish she did not behave so dramatically. She has not taken Owen’s departure well.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “I do believe her feelings for him are genuine. She was devastated when she thought you were engaged to him. I’m certain she won’t let Owen out of her sight now, at least not until things are settled between them.”

I tilted my head to one side. “Settled?”

Alice nodded with a smile. “It is only speculation, of course, but it is more than likely that he will dance with her at the ball, just as he did in London. It is only a matter of time before they fall in love. Despite her faults, I do wish her every happiness.”

The thought of Owen falling in love with Miss Lyons made my stomach turn. It was clear that Miss Lyons was skilled at manipulating the emotions of others. Mrs. Kellaway had felt sympathy for her, and had even chased her into the corridor. She was beautiful enough, and smart enough, so she might be capable of persuading Owen to love her. If I was going to perform my duty, I would have to be willing to give him up.

“Are you looking forward to the ball?” Alice asked.

I silenced my thoughts and forced my features into a more pleasant expression. “Yes, but…I am worried that I won’t remember the dances.”

Alice’s face lit up. “That is no matter! We have a week to prepare. I will instruct you.”

The knot in my stomach relaxed. “Truly?”

“Of course! I have been practicing. You shall be proficient in no time at all.”

Her warm expression put my heart at ease. Perhaps I could make one more friend before I left. If she continued to be so amiable, the week could pass with far less heartache. I had connected Alice too tightly with Miss Lyons, and had viewed her as a rival of sorts. In doing so, I had failed to see how delightful she was. “I would be most grateful,” I said with a sigh of relief. “You are very kind.”

She reached forward to touch my arm. “It is you who is kind, Annette. Perhaps you will find a gentleman who suits you during the ball as well.”

I looked down with a smile. “Perhaps you will, too.”

Alice didn’t know about Mr. Frampton, and I intended to keep it that way. There was far too much gossip spreading about me already. When it came time to leave at the end of the week, I planned to make a quiet escape, not a dramatic exit like Miss Lyons.

There was only one man who suited me, and the thought of seeing him again made a flock of butterflies flutter through my stomach. His words from the letter raked through my mind. There is no one who deserves happiness more than you, Annette, my charming, beautiful friend.

Those words continued to echo in my ears repeatedly throughout the day, until I read them again when I opened Owen’s letter on the edge of my bed that night.

I pressed the words against my heart. My anger toward Aunt Ruth darkened my soul, making hot tears burn in my eyes. When my parents had been taken from me, there had been no one to blame. But Owen being taken from me was purely Aunt Ruth’s fault. The alternative, that she might take my brothers also, was enough to shatter what remained of my heart. Despair raked through me, sending a pang through my chest. I had a great deal of housekeeping to do over the next week in order to prepare myself to face Owen again. I would need to tidy up these torrential emotions without leaving so much as a trace.

I called for Lizzie to help me prepare for bed. Her dark hair was pulled into her cap, but her large brown eyes were cheerful when she arrived. As she began braiding my hair, she said, “I took it upon myself to mail your letters this afternoon. I was taking a trip to town with the skullery maids.”

I froze, meeting her gaze in the mirror before whirling around in my chair. My writing desk was clear of everything but Mr. Baines’s roses in a vase of water. My heart thudded with dread. “Letters? Multiple?”

Lizzie blinked fast, obviously surprised by my reaction. “I saw two letters to Mrs. Filbee on your desk. I-I thought…”

I sat back in my chair, a flood of terror spreading through my chest. “I only meant for one of those letters to be sent. The other one—” I put my face in my hands. The first letter I had written to Aunt Ruth would make her furious. I should have torn it up and thrown it into the fireplace. Now I was in dire straits.

Lizzie’s brush stopped halfway down my hair. “Oh, please forgive me, miss! I should have asked you first. Will the consequences be so very bad?”

I met my own petrified gaze in the mirror. I suspected they would.