Chapter 13
“Well, this is a crush,” Lady Poole said, fanning herself and looking idly around the room. “Lady Milton was unwell and had to leave with Bernice. It was likely the heat.”
“Mm,” was all Camilla answered. She stood frozen, watching Pembroke’s retreat and scarcely able to believe what had just happened.
His lips spoke of friendship but his eyes and the kiss he placed on her hand spoke of something more.
And it had not just been in the moment of parting.
Throughout the evening, there was a particular intensity in the way he looked at her as they danced, as he inquired into what she was thinking.
No, no, no, she rebuked herself furiously. She had been misled by his attention before. What a gullible creature she must be to think a kiss on the hand or a fulminating look meant anything from a man like Pembroke!
And what was that he had said about husbands and wives having no capacity for friendship?
Surely he did not speak his true thoughts when he uttered such a ridiculous sentiment.
It was an odd belief to hold for someone who intimately knew Miles and Dorothea, a couple who were so obviously friends in addition to being husband and wife.
Besides them were Sophia and Felix, who must surely view themselves as friends.
They were constantly deep in discussion, sharing confidences beyond whatever marital intimacy a husband and wife usually did.
Why, Pembroke had these examples right under his very nose.
Certainly, there were not many Society matches such as the ones had by her sisters.
Her parents had not given evidence to it, nor did she think that Pembroke’s mother had enjoyed such a relationship with the late viscount.
These reflections were interrupted by her mother, who slipped her arm into Camilla’s and brought her forward. “I have just been put in mind of it. Mr. Islip has been asking for you again and wondered where to find you. I believe he was hoping for a second dance.”
“We will surely cross paths with him at any moment,” she said without passion.
Mr. Islip again. He had taken her out walking in Hyde Park twice, and she had been more interested in the people they stopped to talk to than in him, though she strove to rise above such an uncharitable feeling.
And one dance with him that evening had not led her to wish for a repeat of the pleasure.
He had performed the country dance with the same exaggerated steps, and Camilla was certain she heard giggles erupting from behind the ladies’ fans on the side of the room.
As one who struggled to feel beautiful in general, sounds of laughter directed her way were unhelpful, to say the least. Mr. Islip’s dull conversation stood in sharp contrast to the theatrics of his dancing.
How could a man be both at once? Oh, that she might find other partners so she wouldn’t have to endure a second set with him.
“There he is. Why do we not walk that way, so he has a hope of finding you.” Lady Poole shifted course without waiting, and Camilla knew she would have to speak of her disinclination toward Mr. Islip.
“Coming, Mother.” Her meek response was unlike her, but she had already suspected she would not be so fortunate as to avoid a second dance. Besides, she hardly had a mind for anyone now that Pembroke had left and taken the evening’s color with him.
Mr. Laverock was a more pleasant companion than Mr. Islip, to be sure.
But even in him she could not be satisfied, for she had the impression that he was a man impossible to truly know.
As much as she enjoyed being the object of his attention—for he was indeed a handsome man and any notice from him must be considered a coup—she was learning that it was an empty feeling to be admired by a gentleman who was so thoroughly unknowable.
“Lady Camilla.” Mr. Islip was bowing before her and murmuring the predictable words of second dances and honor accorded.
The evening was only half over and did not promise much improvement, not without Sophia or Bernice for company.
She had hoped for her sister, but the Harwoods had sent word by messenger with their excuses, promising to come and visit the next day.
Camilla set her hand on Mr. Islip’s arm and let him lead her onto the floor.
The following day after breakfast, Camilla spent time in her room with an open book on her lap.
It was just an excuse. She kept going over and over in her head the encounter with Lord Pembroke from the evening before.
What had possessed her to speak so openly to Lady Throckmorton?
She’d given into an impulse, wanting Lord Pembroke to know that she was displeased with him, and not caring what impression she made on his mother.
After all, she did not aim to win Pembroke anymore and little cared what his mother thought of her.
Her hopes in his regard were all in the past.
However, she could not help but remember the intensity in his look as he repeated his nonsense of wives and husbands not being friends—before adding that he hoped they might be friends nonetheless. Or the memory of his eyes on her before he took his leave.
A knock came on the door and Joanna stuck her head in. “Mama says to come down because Sophia and Felix are to arrive at any moment. We will have them to ourselves before the morning callers.”
“Coming.” Camilla stood and gave herself a cursory look in the mirror.
Her hair was styled simply, and her dress had grown a little tight again.
She would have to watch the number of cakes she ate at tea and perhaps choose only one spoonful of the dishes that came out at dinner.
She should not sample all of them, either.
Sighing, she made her way downstairs just as a knock on the front door announced the arrival of the Harwoods.
Camilla stepped into the hall as they were admitted and was struck by how wan Sophia looked.
Her brows knit as a sudden suspicion darted into her mind, but she said nothing of it in front of the servants.
She greeted her sister and brother-in-law and followed them to the drawing room, where their mother was advancing with Evo and Tilly behind her.
“I was relieved to get the message promising your visit. I haven’t seen you enough for my comfort.
” Lady Poole kissed Sophia, then lifted her hand to her cheek, looking critically at her for a moment before inviting everyone to sit.
Tea had already been set out, and she started to pour for everyone.
“None for me at the moment, Mama,” Sophia said, then blushed and smiled feebly.
Lady Poole raised an eyebrow, and Camilla’s suspicions were confirmed.
“No tea?” Evo exclaimed as he piled the cakes onto his plate.
“You have just had breakfast,” Joanna said, staring at him in disapproval.
“A man needs his strength to go out in the world.” Evo accepted the cup from his mother and sat on an empty chair.
“Well, then by all means prepare a plate for Felix,” Joanna said. “At present, he is the only gentleman sitting here.”
Evo made a face, and Joanna quirked her head, barely restraining herself from sticking out her tongue.
“Do you not want to try one of my almond blossom cakes?” Tilly asked. “I helped Cook to make them.”
“Well, perhaps just one little cake then.” Sophia sent Felix a shy glance. “As a matter of fact, we do have an announcement for all of you. I know it is not the thing to come out and say it in such a bold way, but I would not like for anyone to think they had heard the news after everyone else.”
“You are in a delicate condition,” Joanna said, biting into her cake and eyeing Sophia.
Camilla looked in reproof at her younger sister. “Since Sophia had begun the speech, you ought to have let her finish it. It is her news to tell, after all.”
“I only wished to help,” Joanna protested, but looked abashed.
“I am going to be an aunt for the second time,” Tilly said with a beatific look. She went over to Sophia, who stood to receive her embrace.
Lady Poole was next to come and hug her daughter. “I had my suspicions but could not be sure until I saw you today. One look at you, and I was certain of it.” She remembered Sophia’s husband and turned to him. “Congratulations, Felix.”
The expectant father beamed. “Sophia’s health has been delicate these past weeks, and we wished to explain why we have not been more present when Camilla was out in Society.”
“I’m terribly sorry to have abandoned you,” Sophia said, as Camilla came to hug her in turn. “We have even had to put off Meg’s season for another year, for I am too unwell for all of the parties.”
“My sister was more relieved than disappointed,” Felix added, whose own sister was as shy as Sophia.
“Don’t you worry about a thing. Just focus on keeping this little mite healthy,” Camilla said, smiling. She was also looking forward to welcoming another niece or nephew. She had not known she liked babies until she held Dorothea’s.
“I hope it will be a boy,” Evo said. “Between the Rowlandsons and your family, Harwood, we are plagued by girls.”
“This brings us back to the subject of your marriage,” Tilly said, her expression pert. “A necessity, it appears, for then you can have scores of boys.” A knock from the hall interrupted his retort, and Camilla exchanged a glance with her mother.
“It is a bit early for callers.” Lady Poole frowned and looked at the door, waiting for the butler to arrive.
“Oh, that,” Evo said as sounds of the arrival reached them in the drawing room. “I sent a message to Lord Pembroke asking him to come. He has promised to take me to the boxing academy so I might begin to practice.”