Page 27 of The Earl Next Door
Julia moved to stand just ahead of Adeline and to her right. Brina did the same on Adeline’s left, leaving the earl no doubt that no matter the reason he came over, they stood protective of Adeline. Which also meant that he would know she told them about their first meeting. So be it. She appreciated her friends’ support more than they would ever know. But with this man—she had to stand alone.
“My lord,” Adeline answered with a curtsy and thenleft the safety of her friends and walked around the settee toward him. “It wasn’t necessary. They asked that you join us. I believe you know Lady Kitson Fairbright and Mrs. Brina Feld, but I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the lady with you.”
“Lady Wake, may I present my aunt, Mrs. Cordelia Carbonall.”
Julia and Brina joined them, and proper greetings and brief pleasantries were exchanged by everyone. Adeline found it difficult not to keep glancing at the large, beribboned basket gripped in Lyon’s masculine hand. He must have noticed her inquisitive expression for he placed it on a chair.
“I brought fruit tarts for the girls,” he said.
Adeline felt as if she had a hundred butterflies in her chest and all their wings started fluttering at one time. She was wrong. He had come to apologize for his outrageous behavior that morning. And in the nicest of ways. Bringing the girls something sweet to enjoy. She would have never thought it possible of him. “Thank you, my lord. That’s very kind of you. The girls will be very appreciative of the treats.”
“They are from Mrs. Feversham across the street. I’m not sure if you’re aware of her condition, but she’s unable to walk. She asked if I’d deliver them to you.”
Oh, what a beast!
Just as her heart was melting over his compassion, he showed his true self once again. Adeline should have known something as enjoyable as tarts for the girls couldn’t have come from the earl. What had made her even consider the thoughtfulness washisidea. Hewas a brute of the first order and that wasn’t likely to change. It was a shame such a handsome face and powerfully fit body had been wasted on him.
“I wasn’t aware of that,” she said tightly, and forcing herself not to stiffen so he wouldn’t know the frustration he caused her. “I’ll be sure to send her a note.”
“On the other hand,” Mrs. Carbonall said, stepping forward and placing a much smaller basket on the chair, “the biscuits and marmalade in here are from my kitchen to you. Welcome to the neighborhood, my lady.”
“I thank you as well,” Adeline managed with a genuine smile. “Please sit down and join us for tea.”
“We wouldn’t think of intruding, my lady,” Mrs. Carbonall said. “But before we go, I want you to know I think what you three have done in establishing a boarding school for those poor girls in light of what happened to their families is most admirable.”
The lady’s sincerity touched Adeline warmly. “Thank you for letting us know.”
“Before you go, Mrs. Carbonall,” Julia asked, walking over to her, “do you mind if I ask if you have knowledge of the condition of Mrs. Joan Hawtry’s son? I only returned to Town a few days ago and I haven’t heard. I know he was ill when I left late last autumn.”
“I remember that as well,” Brina said, joining them. “And I haven’t heard any news about him either.”
“Yes, of course, I’ll be happy to tell you what I know about his ailment. He’s been quite sick for some time, but now I can say he’s better, though still unable to get out of the house.”
The three ladies started talking, which left Adelineto stand in the entrance way to the drawing room with Lyon. She had no doubt that Julia had a sincere interest in Mrs. Hawtry’s son, but her perceptive friend had also obviously felt the undercurrents of tension between Adeline and Lyon and wanted to give them some time alone—whether or not Adeline wanted it.
“Why didn’t you tell me this school was for daughters and sisters of workers who perished on the ship with your husband?” Lyon asked.
A shiver stole over Adeline. It was an inexplicable feeling, but she didn’t want to think about her husband when Lyon was near. “I don’t want to talk about that time, about what happened. It’s past and what I am doing now is for the future. That’s where my focus is now.”
He was silent for a few moments, and she thought he was going to change the subject, but instead, he said, “That I understand and I’m accepting of it, but I’m talking about the girls and the school. Not your personal sufferings. I understand your need for privacy on that.”
There was tenderness and concern in his voice. She wanted to respond to it but was afraid it would reveal too much of what she felt when he was near so she kept silent.
“You never mentioned that it was a charitable endeavor this morning or the tragic loss they’d endured.”
“Was that my fault or yours, my lord?” she asked with a hint of humor in her voice.
“Mine,” he replied without hesitation.
“Yes.” She took in a deep breath, feeling a little shot of victory at hearing his admission. “It was. Would ithave kept you from storming over to complain if you’d known the girls’ situation?”
He seemed to study on that for a moment. “I’d like to think so, but the truth is I don’t know. I have no patience for things that aren’t orderly.”
“I’ve discovered that. Thank you for being honest.”
“Here’s more truth for you,” he said, moving so that his wide shoulders were blocking the other women from Adeline’s view. “I believe your courage in doing this is extraordinary. I wish I’d known their circumstances. I might have acted differently. A difficult neighbor wasn’t something they needed.”
“No, they didn’t,” she agreed, feeling surprisingly moved by his tone. “They are fine now. And, tempted though I am, I’m not going to stand here and list all the things you have said to me in the last few days that you shouldn’t have said.”
