Chapter 13 #2
No sooner had Camilla heard this than her heart thudded in her chest. She was not prepared to see Pembroke.
The vision of his face looming over her hand came to mind, then his eyes close and piercing as he looked into hers.
Although she could feel a flush spread across her cheeks, she willed herself to reveal nothing, to be ready to face him.
“Lord Pembroke,” Turton announced, opening the door to the drawing room to allow the earl to walk in.
“Good afternoon,” he said, taking in the full room with surprise. He brought his gaze to Evo. “I hope I am not interrupting a family party. Did you know this when you sent for me?”
“Sophia has only come to announce that she’ll have a baby,” he said offhandedly. “And we are taking tea. It is of no account.”
“Evo,” Camilla and Joanna both exclaimed at once, horrified.
After a wary look in the couple’s direction, Lord Pembroke acted as though nothing untoward had happened. “Allow me to extend my congratulations.” He then speared Evo with a look. “How long do you think it will be before you finally learn some manners, Poole?”
“You are like family, are you not? Your cousin is married to my sister. I think we might include you in the news without it shocking the ton,” Evo retorted.
“Perhaps. But then, your sister or her husband might like to be the one to disclose the news at a moment of their choosing. Besides, we are not family in truth”—he glanced at Camilla —“as much as we might feel that we are.”
Her lips parted, and she felt his words straight through her chest, especially with his pointed gaze coming with his declaration.
Did he mean that he did not consider her close enough to be family?
Or…could it possibly mean that he did not view her as a sister?
That he had quite other feelings in regards to her?
She looked away, groaning inside. When would she ever learn? Had a woman ever been so desperate for a few crumbs of affection?
“Would you like some tea, my lord?” Lady Poole set her hand on the teapot.
“I would indeed,” he replied, his friendly manner returned.
After a slight hesitation between the two empty seats, one beside Camilla and one opposite to her, he chose the latter, and she was immediately conscious of his regard.
“As a matter of fact, I came not just to bring your scapegrace of a brother for boxing lessons, but with an invitation to dinner for all of you, if you would be so obliging as to accept it.”
“A dinner invitation?” her mother said. “Why yes, how lovely of you to think of us.” Although Lady Poole’s gaze was directed at him, Camilla felt the darts of significance sent her way.
“’Twas my mother’s idea. If you should be free on Sunday night, we thought to have an early supper before the theater. King Lear is being performed at Covent Garden, and we might attend together.”
“Are all of us invited?” Tilly asked, and he assured her that they were.
“I hope you will excuse us,” Felix said. “Sophia is tired in the evenings. I am sure you will feel no surprise when we refuse your kind invitation, now that you have learned our news.”
“Of course. It will be for another time.” Pembroke paused, then gave a crooked smile. “I am certain my sister and her husband will find a way to join us in my box, now that the Harwoods are unable to come.” Despite his making light of it, Camilla suspected he did not enjoy his sister’s company.
What could have prompted his mother to invite their family to dinner, and had he been in full agreement?
Had something inside of him shifted toward her?
If it had, she must simply resist giving into it.
Impossible to contemplate giving in after how she had fought against it.
If he wished to regain her interest, he would have to work for it.
She would not be such a fool as to give her heart away again so quickly.
Lord Pembroke engaged in the conversations that floated around the drawing room, laughing or teasing in turn when called upon.
It was in his usual easy way, but she could feel his eyes on her when she contributed nothing.
After he finished his tea, he looked around once more, his gaze resting on her the longest, before he stood.
“Poole, shall we have our session?”
“Yes, sir,” Evo said, popping to his feet.
“Hit him hard,” Joanna advised, grinning when Evo shot her a look.
“Perhaps I will have to join you one of these days.” Felix’s smile looked wistful.
“Oh, yes,” Evo said. “But not until I learn a few moves. I shall beat you.”
Felix laughed. “You can certainly try. But I should warn you that it won’t be my first time standing up in the ring.”
“How unfair it is to be the youngest,” Evo grumbled as Pembroke ushered him out.
At the door, he turned back, and once again, Camilla felt his regard settle on her as though willing her to acknowledge him.
“You will all soon be receiving the invitation that Mr. Weatherby has promised. His grandmother Mrs. Cranwell has approved the idea for a day’s picnic in Hampstead, although regretfully not for another couple of weeks. ”
“Splendid,” Camilla replied when everyone looked at her.
“Am I invited as well?” Tilly asked, ever eager not to be left out of any pleasure party.
“I do not know,” Lord Pembroke said, pausing with a frown line between his eyes.
“You should really stop asking, Tilly.” Evo shook his head, but there was no mockery in it. In fact, he spoke with unusual kindness. “It is your second time today to inquire whether you are invited to something, and it puts people to the blush.”
Tilly dipped her head, her cheeks red with mortification.
“You may do so with me, Lady Matilda,” Pembroke said.
“And now that I reflect on it, I have reason to believe you will be. Mr. Weatherby told me that his brother’s children will be there, and his nephew is about Evo’s age.
I think he intends to invite Miss Winkley’s brother as well.
That leads me to believe you will most assuredly be included in the invitation. ”
“Excellent notion to think of inviting more boys.” The news had certainly pleased Evo.
“Indeed.” Pembroke’s eyes now sought hers, and she saw the sudden twinkle appear a second before he spoke. “Lady Camilla, do be sure not to bring any knives with you.”
She speared him with her look of indignation, but he had already bowed and was turning to leave. Apparently, if she did not give him her attention willingly, he intended to tease it from her.