Читать книгу The Lady Who Saw Too Much - Thomasine Rappold - Страница 8

Gia stared at the man, absorbing the confirmation that he was, indeed, the subject of her vision. Oh, please, let me be wrong. But her visions never were wrong. Gia had learned that the hard way. The curse of her prophetic ability had never felt so heavy. She glanced from Mr. Elmsworth to Alice and felt suffocated by the crushing weight of it.

Thoughts of his tragic fate raced through her mind with imagined scenarios. Whatever might lead to his landing at the bottom of a creek bed, his present confidence unnerved her. She longed to warn him, to stress his need for caution, but she couldn’t. Not yet. She had to act carefully if she hoped to influence the outcome of his future. The details of her vision were vivid. There were tinges of color in the leaves on the trees and a brisk chill in the air. She had until late summer at least to figure out something—some way to save him. This prospect gave her the fortitude necessary to pull herself together.

“Alice, would you mind if I spoke with Miss York in private?” he asked, snapping Gia back to attention.

“Not at all.” In her haste to escape, Alice set down her cup, sending tea sloshing over the rim. “I’ll be out in the garden,” she said as she dabbed at the mess.

“My sister spends much of her time in the garden,” Elmsworth muttered.

Gia turned from Alice’s affronted frown to the tall window and the garden beyond. Clusters of budding flowers and neatly pruned shrubs enclosed a stone patio, complete with a fountain. “I can understand why. It’s lovely.”

“Do you enjoy gardening?” Alice asked. The avid gleam in her eye made Gia smile.

“Unfortunately, I lack the green thumb required to nurture a garden. Perhaps you can teach me your secret.”

“Alice wastes enough time in the company of plants,” Elmsworth said. “Your job is to see to it she focuses her attention on people.”

“In other words, Miss York, you’ve been hired to be my friend.” Alice shot to her feet. “Wasted effort on my brother’s part, since I neither want nor need your services.”

Gia fidgeted in her seat. Alice’s opposition would have Gia out of a job before she finished her tea.

As if sensing Gia’s distress, Alice reclaimed her manners. “No offense to you, Miss York, but I prefer to keep to myself.”

“That’s precisely the problem,” he said.

“My problem, Denny, not yours.” Alice lifted her chin. “This entire idea is humiliating. How do you intend to introduce us? As your pathetic sister and the companion you hired to tolerate her company?” Her blue eyes welled with tears.

Elmsworth sighed but said nothing.

Trying not to sound as desperate as she felt, Gia said, “If that’s your worry, Alice, I’m sure we can come up with a more discreet solution. I can be introduced as an old friend of the family who has come to spend the summer with you.”

Alice considered this before glancing to Elmsworth.

“Problem solved,” he said.

Gia breathed a sigh of relief. While she sympathized with Alice’s dilemma, Gia needed this job to save the girl’s brother.

“I suppose I have no choice,” Alice said.

He shrugged. “You can always attend the season’s affairs with Aunt Clara.”

Alice cringed at this alternative before turning to Gia. “Welcome to Misty Lake, Miss York.” With one final frown at her brother, she swished from the room.

* * * *

Landen turned to his sister’s new companion, studying her reaction. Despite the awkwardness of Alice’s little fit, the woman remained poised and collected as she sipped her tea. She was older than he’d expected. And a hell of a lot prettier. Long lashes fringed her brown eyes. Her dark hair was coiled and tucked into her hat, but its unique citrus scent could not be contained. And that mouth…

He cleared his throat—and his wandering mind—amid his pleasant surprise. Aunt Clara’s former companion had been a spectacled, dowdy woman who’d claimed to speak fluent French and prattled incessantly in English.

Miss York’s attractiveness might work in Alice’s favor. Men would flock to this woman, and Alice would be at her side. Perhaps Miss York’s grace and confidence would be contagious and Alice would contract some for herself.

“You’re very hard on her,” she said suddenly.

He blinked at her critical tone.

“Have you tried being patient?”

“I’ve tried everything,” he said. “And I’ve indulged her solitary behavior for too long. Years spent hoping she’d grow out of it. It’s time my sister came around.”

“She’s a lovely young woman.”

“She may as well be a toad for all the good loveliness does her.” He glanced out the window to where Alice knelt amid a thick patch of tall daisies. “She shrinks from the world as if she were the ugliest creature under the sun.”

Craning her neck, she watched Alice with a faraway look in her eyes. “Has she always been so shy?”

He nodded. “Even as a child. She never joined with other children to play but instead would watch from the sidelines. Her mother feared there was something wrong with her, but our father wouldn’t hear of it.”

She turned from the window to face him. “Her mother?”

Landen leaned back in the chair, impressed she’d been listening so closely. He added “keen intellect” to her growing list of attributes. “I am a product of our father’s first marriage,” he said. “My siblings—Alice and Alex—were born during his second marriage to their mother.”

“Alice mentioned her parents were deceased.”

“Yes,” he said. “Four years now.”

“I’m sorry.”

The stark sincerity in her voice took him aback. As did his reaction. He brushed off her condolences without meeting her eyes. “After they died, I sent Alice away to school, hoping a new environment might be the solution. She lasted barely one semester before she begged me to let her come home.”

“How did she fare academically?”

“She’s an excellent student. But each report I received contained the same assessment. Her lack of class participation and timidity concerned her instructors.” He shook his head. “Her apprehension has gotten only worse.”

“Why do you suppose that is?” Gia asked.

“She’s of marrying age now. I imagine the pressure of that has added to her anxiety.”

“Pressure?”

He bristled at the accusation in her eyes. “I pressure her to get out of the house. To meet people. If she can’t manage to attend a simple dinner party, she’ll never mange to find a husband.”

“So you’re hoping I can help you marry her off?”

Her erroneous assumption rankled him more than her audacity. He leaned forward. “I want a husband for Alice, yes, Miss York. But I’d prefer she land a husband who cares for her. I want people to see my sister for the woman she is. The bright, caring person inside the frightened shell she presents to the world. This will not happen if she remains crippled by her fear of participating in any and all social activities.”

She lowered her eyes.

“I don’t want my sister to end up an old maid.”

Her brows rose in surprise. She met his gaze, her posture stiff.

Satisfied he’d hit his mark, he leaned back in the chair. “Mrs. Amery’s recommendation for a companion was sterling but brief. Now that I’ve met you, I’m left wondering why an attractive woman of your age would take a position as a companion when you could be—”

“Married?”

“Yes.”

“Not every woman deems marriage her ultimate accomplishment.”

Her outspokenness was refreshing, but he didn’t believe her for a minute. The debacle of his past had taught him the extent to which some women would resort to secure their futures. The bitter memory roused his ire. He’d never again be so foolish as to step into that trap.

“Some of us old maids remain happily unattached. Some of us enjoy traveling and meeting new people.”

“A position with the right family would expose you to the right people.”

She frowned, fluffing her skirts.

He took a long breath, exhaling his anger. He was being unfair. Something about her didn’t add up, but she deserved the benefit of a doubt. Alice was a sinking ship, and he sensed this woman could help keep her afloat. Through the summer, anyway. “I’m a blunt man, Miss York. I did not intend to insult you.”

“Yes, you did, Mr. Elmsworth.” She lifted her chin. “But you did not succeed.”

He couldn’t help smiling. “Your impertinence may be just what Alice needs.”

He motioned for her to refill her empty teacup, and her tense expression softened a bit as she poured. “You may address me as Landen, if you please.”

She glanced up in surprise.

“Formality is more lax here,” he said. “An aspect of the country most people seem to enjoy.” He glanced to Alice outside. “The season is just beginning. It’s important Alice attend as many social affairs as possible. Ensure that this happens.”

“I imagine crowds make her anxious.”

“That’s an understatement. Upon entering a crowded room, Alice slinks to the deepest corner, claims a seat, then remains planted for the duration of the affair.”

“Has she no friends?”

“None to speak of. Her timidity makes people uneasy.”

“She seems to have no problem engaging with you.” She smiled in reference to Alice’s earlier exhibition.

He smiled too. “No, she doesn’t. She’s different with me and my brother. Once she’s comfortable with someone, she’s free to be herself. She’s especially comfortable with Alex. He’ll join us here in a few weeks.”

She nodded. “So the challenge will be to help build Alice’s confidence in public,” she said.

“Yes. And a challenge it will be. The girl can be as stubborn as an ass.”

“So I’ve seen,” she agreed.

“You will accompany Alice to all social affairs here in Misty Lake.” He eyed her dress. “Is your wardrobe sufficient?”

“I…”

“No matter,” he said. “Alice will require several new gowns. I will set up an appointment with the dressmaker for you both. At my expense, of course,” he added. “I also would like you to familiarize yourself with the town and the people here. You and Alice will join me for dinner at the Crooked Lake House when my schedule permits. Next week, perhaps. I will make the proper introductions so you’ll know who’s who.”

“Instead of pushing Alice into a crowded roomful of diners, might you consider easing her into society more gradually?”

“How?”

“You could host a small reception here at the house. In the garden perhaps. That way she would feel more comfortable. A familiar environment and all that.”

He considered this, wondering how he hadn’t thought of it himself. “That might be a better idea.”

She nodded.

“An afternoon reception?”

“Yes,” she said. “Something intimate.”

“You and Alice can see to the details. My Aunt Clara arrives late next week. She can assist with the preparations.”

“All right. In the meanwhile Alice and I can get to know each other better.”

“Florence will arrange for your things to be brought up to your room.”

She stood, then started for the door. The subtle sway of her hips as she walked drew notice to her curvaceous figure. Whether coming or going, the woman was alluring. As was that scent.

“One more thing, Miss York.”

She stopped, turning to face him.

“Please keep in mind that you are here to help Alice.”

Her full lips thinned as she gave a firm nod. “Of course.”

“You are new to Misty Lake, and as such, you’ll surely receive plenty of attention this season. See to it that some of that attention trickles onto my sister.”