Page 85 of A Foolish Flirtation

“Ignore him,” Jeremy advised.

“I think the Turkish lamps look particularly well in here, don’t you agree?”

“They do, though your bedroom may lack decoration now.”

“A colorful rug might be nice in here,” Emmie murmured, tapping her chin. “And perhaps a statue or two. This must be the only room in the house without any marble in it.”

“I think we need to replace the curtains,” Jeremy observed. “The green ones in here should be more emerald shade than sage.”

“Yes, I think you’re right.”

Emmie lowered her voice. “When we agreed to dine privately in here tonight, I quite forgot about Pinky.”

“Did you not tell me she was family also?” he replied with a raised brow.

Emmie flashed him a grateful smile. “Yes, that’s true.”

They ate their first dinner in the new setup that evening and did not even bother changing for dinner as it was “only family.” It proved a novel experience, sitting cross-legged while eating a five-course meal, and they were a merry party throughout.

The only person who seemed a little affronted by the lack of ceremony was Garraway, the butler, who certainly looked askance as he set down the tureen of vermicelli soup but that might have been because he had to bend down lower and had a stiff back. Emmie did notice that it was Colfax who brought in the next four courses ably assisted by one of the housemaids.

“I hope the cottage is coming along, Miss Pinson,” Jeremy said politely once the last course, a selection of Neapolitan cakes and a coffeepot, had been set down in the center of the table. “You must let me know if there is anything else we can help you with.”

Colfax, who was lighting the colored glass lamps, gave a significant cough, interrupting Pinky’s automatic denial. She colored hotly. “Oh! Er, that is, well, possibly the kitchen area could use a fresh coat of paint, my lord,” she said guiltily. Colfax turned around and fixed his gaze on her, his expression carefully blank. “And, er, possibly the front parlor,” she added nervously. “I think Mr. Somerton must have been a heavy smoker and, well…” She trailed off in embarrassment.

“In that case, I daresay the whole house could do with a lick of paint,” Jeremy said calmly. Colfax gave a slight bow of assent at these words. “I shall ask Wallis to see to the matter at once.”

“Oh dear, so kind, I do hope it is not too much of a bother—” Pinky dithered, dropping her napkin and becoming quite flustered.

“There’s a good deal of brambles and rubbish in the back garden too, Papa,” Teddy chimed in. “And a broken old cart is rotting to pieces in there. Mrs. Ennis, who lives in the cottage next door, told me that Somerton was a villain and up to no good half the time like as not.”

Pinky’s eyes widened. “Dear child—” she started in appalled tones. “My lord, I hope you do not think I encouraged—”

“Do not trouble yourself, Miss Pinson,” Jeremy interrupted her laughingly. “If there is any scandal, Teddy is sure to root it out. He has a nose for such things. I will have Wallis send some men around to sort out the garden for you too.”

“Oh, but I assure you, I mean to work on the garden myself!”

“And so you shall, but clearing the way is heavy work and must be done before you can make a start with your planting and so forth.”

“He’s right, Pinky,” Emmie said gently, and her friend became very emotional. Teddy passed her his handkerchief, and she dabbed her eyes with it and thanked them all again for their “great kindnesses” toward her.

“Let’s play an after-dinner game,” Teddy suggested. “I vote forfeits.”

Jeremy groaned. “This game gets very involved, and the rules change every time.”

“First I have to leave the room for two minutes,” Teddy said, clambering eagerly to his feet. “And you all have to put something small into the box…”

“What box?” asked Emmeline.

“Oh yes, we need a box,” Teddy said, casting about. “Wait, let me go and fetch one.” He ran from the room, whooping.

“What kind of small thing?” Pinky asked timidly.

Jeremy sighed. “A ring, a shoelace, a thimble, something of that kind.” He was already removing a signet ring from his little finger.

“Would this suffice?” Pinky asked, unpinning her cameo brooch.

“Amply.”