Chapter 7 #2
“What happened with Lady Johanna?” Kalina asked, bringing the topic back around to the more pressing matter. She could not help the stir of sympathy in her breast. Not only having to leave early for some reason, but the poor lady would likely be the topic of conversation for the entire morning.
The other three glanced at each other, their expressions sobering immediately.
“A messenger came in the middle of the night to inform her that her mother was seriously unwell, and she should come home immediately.” Lady Astrid sighed, smoothing her hands over the portion of the tablecloth in front of her plate.
“I am currently hoping the urgency turns out to be alarmist rather than realistic, and she will be able to return.”
Despite her statement, her tone of voice did not sound all that hopeful, more resigned to the fact. Kalina’s heart ached for the young woman.
“She already lost her father, she said?”
Lady Astrid nodded, lowering her voice, though the group at the other end of the table appeared to be deeply invested in their own conversation.
“She did. The family… well, even before the previous viscount’s death, they were experiencing some difficulties. Now her brother is the viscount, and he is only eleven years old.”
“Is there not a guardian to guide him?” Gregory asked, frowning.
“There is.” Lady Astrid did not say anything more, but the sour twist of her lips gave forth her opinion on the person assigned to the role. She clearly did not think very highly of them.
Remembering the state of Lady Johanna’s dress, Kalina could not help but feel even more sympathy for her. The family must be in dire straits indeed, and then to have her mother fall ill…
“Is there anything we can do for her?” she asked impulsively. She did not know why Lady Johanna’s plight was affecting her so.
“I was hoping to this week,” Lady Astrid admitted. “She was unable to make her debut in London, but she’s beautiful, accomplished, and very sweet if very shy.”
Almost cripplingly shy, but that was not necessarily a deterrent. Montagu had been able to coax her out of her shell a bit. Perhaps he would make a good match for her. But would he go after her?
Then again, chasing after a young lady who was returning to her extremely ill mother was hardly the act of a gentleman.
Tiffany looked at her husband.
“Perhaps we can send a package to her… something for her family if she’s unable to return to the house party, regardless of…” Her voice trailed off again. Regardless of whether Lady Johanna’s mother recovered.
Kalina nodded.
“I would like to contribute, if I may,” she said. She would find something she could include.
Tiffany and Lady Astrid both smiled brilliantly at her. Then the door behind her opened, admitting a small parade of people into the dining room. Keeping her ears open, Kalina attended to her meal.
As she’d predicted, the conversation was initially focused on Lady Johanna and her departure, the topic rehashed every time someone new arrived.
Those who did not have rooms in the same hall had missed the kerfuffle.
When Kalina’s family joined the throng, they were amused but unsurprised that Kalina had slept through it all.
Her father gleefully told the story about the elephant, much to the amusement of the Duke of Ormonde and Montagu, who had joined their end of the table.
Hereford and St. Albans were farther away, which did not bother her in the slightest, even though Hereford appeared to be hanging on Lady Kari’s every word.
As the meal concluded, conversation naturally turned to the plans for the day.
As the weather was clear, it was agreed that a ride to the nearby ruins would be ideal—for those young enough to be tempted.
Kalina immediately knew her parents would join the elder Blackstones and others who opted to stay behind.
She was rather excited to see some of England’s history, though Lady Astrid described it as “a bunch of stones set atop each other, which have not yet toppled over.” The lady did admit that the scenery around the old church and buildings was picturesque, rather ‘gothic’.
There was only one problem.
“Ah… I do not know how to ride,” Kalina admitted when the conversation lulled, once she realized it would be necessary.
What she did not say was that she did not know how to ride because she was afraid of horses, and the idea of getting on the back of one of the huge creatures was beyond her ken.
She had not ridden elephants in India, either, though she was not as wary of them.
After seeing a horse roll over and nearly crush a young neighbor, Kalina had refused to even make the attempt.
“Oh, do not worry,” Lady Astrid said, looking about her expectantly. “I am certain one of the gentlemen would be happy to take you in the curricle. Drake has experience with our set of grays.”
“I was going to ride beside you. On my horse.” He bared his teeth at her in semblance of a smile, which she returned with equal false sincerity.
“I would be happy to take Miss Little in the curricle,” Montagu said, smiling at her.
She felt her heart lift with relief that she would not be left behind.
“Thank you,” she replied fervently. “I would hate to miss the ruins.”
“We certainly cannot have you left behind,” he replied with feeling. There was something about the way he said it… was he flirting with her? But not the blatant flirting he had done, that he did do, with all the women who crossed his path. This seemed more intentional. More focused.
She was not sure what to think.
But Hereford was glaring at her again.