Page 4 of The Missing Book (Bluestocking Book Club #3)

C hewing on the edge of his lip, Leopold considered his drawing room. It was the first time he had returned to London since the passing of his father and now that this house was his, he had every intention of making it his own.

Though something here was not quite right.

“Broughton? Where are you?”

For a moment, Leopold thought not to answer his sister’s call, only for her to open the door and come into the room.

He sighed inwardly.

“There you are. Have you forgotten that we are to attend an afternoon soiree?”

Leopold grimaced. “Soirees ought to be only for the evening. An afternoon soiree does not suit.”

Anna sighed loudly and obviously.

“Yes, yes, I am coming,” he answered, turning back towards her with a grimace still plastered to his face. “I shall consider the drawing room at a later date.”

His sister held up one hand, stopping him. “Consider the drawing room?”

“Something is wrong,” he said, plainly. “I do not know what but there is something that must be set to rights.”

She closed her eyes tightly, a tiny shudder passing over her.

“Now, let us – ”

“Broughton, you have had the servants rearrange this drawing room three times since we arrived last week.” Opening her eyes, Anna looked straight back into his eyes. “That is enough.”

A flash of irritation struck Leopold. “Do not think you have any right to tell me what I ought to do or ought not to do, Anna.”

“I shall tell you when you are being ridiculous and thinking only of yourself, which is what you are doing at the present moment,” came the sharp response.

“Your servants are wearied enough by your constant complaints! You cannot have them rearrange this room again. It would not be right. Besides which, I am to have two new acquaintances to take tea with me tomorrow!”

“Which is why this house – and the drawing room – must be perfect,” Leopold answered, firmly.

“Have no fear, my dear sister. It will all be just as required come tomorrow.” With this, he ushered his sister out of the door, hearing her protest still but refusing to let himself listen to a word she said.

As far as Leopold was concerned, she complained far too much about his decisions when he was the one who owned this house and was the master of it.

All she had to do was enjoy being part of the London Season and find a suitable match, the rest of these matters belonged to him.

“You must certainly not say a word about your dislike of this soiree being in the afternoon rather than the evening,” Anna said firmly, as the carriage took them through the busy London streets.

“I am to try and make a match, Broughton. To have a brother who is known to complain and criticize will not make me seem particularly delightful.” She scowled at him.

“Nor will it make you appear in the least bit pleasant and you are meant to be seeking a match also, are you not?”

Leopold waved a hand, dismissively. “I am well able to make a match, Anna. It will not take long for me to find someone suitable, I am quite sure. My sole focus at present is you, so you need not concern yourself in that way. Might I remind you that I expect you to stay beside me for the duration of the soiree, as you ought. I must be present for every conversation and interaction, for there will be some gentlemen present who are not in the least bit suitable when it comes even to a simple conversation!”

This only made Anna roll her eyes, however, which made Leopold grimace.

There was no time for him to say anything more, however, for the carriage soon arrived at Lord and Lady Granton’s townhouse…

though given the number of gentlemen and ladies milling about outside of the house rather than stepping inside made Leopold’s frown return.

“Enough, brother!” Anna made for the door as the footman opened it. “I can already see you are upset and – ”

“Sit down, Anna!” Grasping her arm, Leopold pulled her back, making Anna catch her breath in surprise. “Are you not aware that it is I who descends first?”

Anna opened her mouth and then closed it again, though not before two dots of pink appeared on her cheeks as she looked away.

Frustrated, Leopold’s jaw tightened though he wasted no further time, stepping out of the carriage and then turning so he might assist his sister from the carriage.

She took a little longer than he had expected, irritating him with the delay which, he was sure, she had done on purpose.

When she finally stepped out, she did not take his proffered hand, choosing to ignore him entirely and descend on her own.

Leopold gritted his teeth so he would not say anything sharp to her, fully aware that they were now surrounded by guests and could not say anything without being overheard, though he sent his frustration to the back of his mind so he might speak to her about it all once they had returned home.

“If this is the receiving line, then I must say, I am surprised it is so disorganized,” he muttered, walking to where he presumed the back of the line was as Anna went with him.

Looking over the crowd, he wrinkled his nose at the sheer number of people waiting outside, wondering why Lord and Lady Granton would greet their guests at the very front of the house.

Would it not have been better to have the guests standing inside the house before making their way to the drawing room to be greeted there?

“Stop, Leopold.”

He started, a little astonished that his sister had thought to use his Christian name. When he looked at her, there was a flush in her cheeks that had not been there before, her eyes darting to his and then looking away from him again. “I am not doing anything.”

“You are thinking critically and it is plain on your face,” she muttered, pulling out her fan. “Please, do not shame me here.”

Leopold wanted to state that his sole reason for acting as he did was to prevent shame from touching them in any way, though he quickly silenced his lips given the anger that flashed into Anna’s eyes.

She was, he considered, more than a little frustrating, given the way that she constantly berated him and sought to correct him.

She ought to know her place a good deal better than that – and Leopold grimaced, realizing that he was the one to blame in that regard. Something would have to be done.

“A good afternoon to you!” Lady Granton exclaimed, smiling warmly at Leopold and then looking at Anna. “We are so very glad you are able to join us for this soiree.”

“I thank you,” Leopold answered, inwardly questioning why Lord Granton had not spoken first rather than his wife.

“I am very grateful for your consideration,” Anna said before Leopold had the chance to say more. “As you know, Lady Granton, this is my first Season and I am seeking to make the very best impression upon society.”

“Something you are already doing marvelously well,” Lady Granton said warmly, ushering Anna forward, though Leopold quickly went with her, making sure he walked only a little in front of her, as he ought. “Go now, enjoy yourself.”

“Take my arm,” Leopold instructed his sister. “We shall – ”

“Good afternoon, Lady Anna, Lord Broughton!” Before Anna could do as Leopold had requested, a gentleman bowed towards her, sending only a flickering glance towards Leopold. “How delightful to see you again, Lady Anna.”

“Lord Jedburgh, good afternoon!” Anna exclaimed, again riling Leopold by her willingness to speak before he had been given opportunity. “I did not know that you would be here!”

“Should you like something to drink?” the gentleman asked, now ignoring Leopold completely.

“The champagne is over this way, if I might be permitted?” He gave her his arm, then looked towards Leopold with a smile.

“I will stay in sight at all times, of course. We will not quit the drawing room, though I have been told the gardens are quite lovely!”

Anna laughed and took Lord Jedburgh’s arm.

“I am sure that my brother will be very glad to be rid of me for a short while, Lord Jedburgh, I thank you.” Without so much as a backward glance, she walked alongside him to fetch the champagne, leaving Leopold bubbling with an ever increasing frustration.

Had he not taught Anna propriety? Had he not told her that she was not to step away from him without his express permission – and that only a few minutes ago?

Why, then, was she showing him such disrespect?

“You appear to be frowning heavily, Lord Broughton. Is there some reason for that?”

Leopold turned his head, about to say to whoever had asked him that he was quite contented and did not need anyone to be observing him so carefully.

That answer was ripped away as a broad smile settled on his face instead, reaching out to shake his friend’s hand.

“Lord Huggan! How excellent to see you again.”

“I am very glad to see you here. I thought it was you but could not be sure, but when I saw Lady Anna, I was certain. We have not been in company for some two years now, I think!”

“Near enough three,” Leopold answered, with a small, sad smile. “The last time we were in company was at my father’s funeral. I was and still am grateful for your presence there that day. It was a difficult time and to have friends present was a help for me.”

Lord Huggan nodded slowly, his expression sympathetic. “But of course. And now, however, you are here to bring Anna to society, I presume?”

“Indeed, I am,” Leopold sighed, grimacing as his friend’s eyebrows lifted in question. “Already she is doing what she ought not to do which, I confess, is a little trying.”

“And what ought she not to do?” Lord Huggan asked, his gaze going around the room as if he thought to spot Anna doing something deeply improper. “She has not decided to engage herself to the first nincompoop who has looked at her, I hope?”

This made Leopold chuckle, despite his own frustrations. “Thankfully, she is much too wise for that.”