Page 71 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

Joshua and Sarah obediently greeted their visitors. William satdown with them and played backgammon, and Hattie watched, while Miss Robbins talked with Gretchen, asking about the children. Soon they were all watching the game, as he let the children get the better of him.

Sarah cried out, “I won!” Then she immediately covered her mouth as if she’d done something wrong.

“Well done,” William said, smiling. “You and your brother are very clever to learn the game so quickly.”

“Shall we play again?” Joshua asked.

“I need to speak with Miss Robbins for a moment, but we will play again another time. And when your arm is healed, we shall have to teach you to play pall mall. Miss Robbins is the best I’ve ever seen,” he whispered loudly.

“Are you good at pall mall, Miss Robbins?” Sarah asked eagerly.

“I dare say I am.” She winked at her. “But Miss Jacobs is as skilled as I am.”

“Oh, no, I do not play pall mall as well as Miss Robbins.”

“What is pall mall?” Joshua asked.

William explained, “It is a game you play on the grass—or some flat ground—and you use a wooden mallet to strike a ball.” He explained the game, aware of Miss Robbins watching him, and even as he talked, he wished they could both be back at Lowndesbury House again, reliving the conversations they’d had, not having to worry that she might engage herself to marry some worthless young man.

Gretchen returned and said, “It’s about time for the children’s washing up and then for their supper.”

We said our goodbyes to the children, and as soon as we were in the hallway, Miss Jacobs said, “I have something to attend to. It was very good to see you again, Lord Brookhaven.”

“And you, Miss Jacobs.”

Hattie hurried toward her bedroom, went inside, and closed the door.

“You wished to speak to me?” Miss Robbins’s face was turned up to his, and he suddenly had to know.

“Miss Robbins, are you engaged to marry Mr. Welton?”

He could see the anger begin to spark in her eyes, but she remained silent.

“I am aware that I am not a relative of yours and therefore have no right to ask.” He cleared his throat, turning away from her, trying to tamp down his feelings. “But as your friend, I thought you would wish to hear my advice, as it is well-meant.” But one glance in her direction told him he’d said the wrong thing.

Advice.Advice?“I know that you think every gentleman who comes near me is only after my fortune. Is it so difficult to believe that he might be in love with me?”

Why had I said that? I didn’t even believe that. There must be a reason for this anger. I would need to ponder that later.

“Miss Robbins, you may do as you wish, but I’m afraid—”

“Yes, I may do as I wish. I am an independent woman of means and intelligence.”

His jaw hardened, and there was that little twitch in his cheek. “As your friend, I am only trying to help—”

“Then please don’t insult me by saying that no gentleman could possibly wish to marry me for myself.” Was I overstating my point, saying too much? I felt tears sting my eyes.

“Did I ever say such a thing?”

“No.” A tear fell onto my cheek, and I quickly swiped at it with my hand.

“Miss Robbins, I am well aware that any gentleman of good sense and character might very well wish to marry you, but I am only saying that Mr. Welton is not that kind of gentleman. I only say this out of concern for you.”

Tears poured from my eyes. I could only hope, in the dimly lit hallway, that he could not see them.

I swallowed, took a breath, and said, “I am not engaged to Mr. Welton. He asked, and I refused him.”

Lord Brookhaven’s jaw went slack. Then he nodded. After a moment’s silence, he said, “Forgive me. I have been rude and impertinent. But it was out of concern for your welfare.”