“You don’t like many people do you?”
“There are plenty of good reasons not to wish to spend time with that viper.” Her nose wrinkled with disgust, and then her gaze raked him from head to toe. “I don’t see you winning over people easily either.”
Leopold smiled tightly. “That is because I do not care to be any different than I am. I want nothing from the people I meet. They can take me as I am or go to the devil.”
“A man with a singularly brave attitude. Interesting.”
Blythe’s expression was speculative as they returned to the abbey and Leopold couldn’t decide if her last comment had been a compliment or an insult. It was only after they had sat down again with Mercy to await the arrival of Lady Barnet that he wondered what exactly she thought of the situation they were in now. Her expression had blanked of emotion. The lady appeared as regal and as cold as stone.
“Lady Barnet and Lord Shaw, Your Grace,” Wilcox announced.
Leopold stood to greet Mercy’s guests. Lady Barnet barely acknowledged Blythe, Lord Shaw offered a little flattery, and then focused on Mercy.
“We came as soon as we could this morning to tell you our trip is delayed,” Lady Barnet gushed. “Mama is ill and taken to bed so you will have ample time to come up to London with us when we go now. No more excuses.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mercy gently removed her hands from Anna’s surprisingly firm grip. “Oh, dear. I do hope your mama is not too ill. Whatever is the matter? Have you summoned the physician?”
Since Anna’s mother was often taken to bed, Mercy wasn’t unduly alarmed. But the zeal with which Anna had clutched at her was slightly unnerving.
Anna waved away Mercy’s fears. “Oh, no. I’ll not let them at Mama with the leeches just yet. I thought perhaps you might consent to visit with her. She simply adores your company.”
/> Unfortunately, stepping out for a social call was likely impossible just now. She glanced quickly at Leopold and saw a subtle shake of his head to confirm her suspicions. “I do wish your mother a speedy recovery, but it is unlikely I shall leave the estate in the near future. But do please send for Dr. Heyburn immediately. He told me only recently that he’s having better luck with scented waters than with leeches.”
Lord Shaw stepped forward to claim her hand. As it was raised to his lips, she saw a happy smirk cross Anna’s face. Leopold’s lips pressed together as if he didn’t like what he was seeing. Lord Shaw’s lips dragged across her skin, and she repressed a shudder before tugging her hand back.
“It has been too long, my dear duchess, since I have had the pleasure,” Shaw said. “You do know how to keep a gentleman waiting.”
Oh dear. She had hoped he would have taken her word she’d had enough of his flirtations. Given the way he looked at her, he still thought he had a fair chance. But there was only Leopold she wanted, and only Leopold she would have or none other. “I have been much involved in the estate at present. I’m sure you made do without my company.”
Lord Shaw’s smile repulsed her. “Made do but never could replace. You shall have to take mercy upon me.”
Since Leopold’s hands had curled into fists, and Blythe looked about to erupt into flame, Mercy swiftly set Edwin on her knees to keep Lord Shaw at a distance. Neither Anna or Lord Shaw cared for Edwin’s company on their visits, unlike Blythe and Leopold. Although he never said one word on the subject, she was starting to suspect that her lover had grown fond of her boy. His boy. Their son.
She suppressed a smile.
When everyone had settled in comfortably, Anna leaned forward. “Now, since our trip was delayed, I am determined that you should come to London with us. I so want your company for a short while. It has been an age since we have done anything fun together.” Her glance shifted to Blythe and back again. “There is this splendid new modiste on Bond Street who makes the most delicious gowns. We simply must see for ourselves before she becomes all the rage. When everyone engages her services the bloom will be gone from her style. I do hate it when that happens.”
Blythe snorted. “You mean another scandalous dress that will damage Mercy’s reputation as a proper lady. The last modiste you took her to put her husband in a snit for a week.”
Oh dear. Blythe had hated Anna’s influence on her wardrobe during that season and she was correct that Edwin had been in a snit about those gowns. Given that they had not spoken directly since her return with Leopold, she hoped Anna being here wouldn’t make things worse between them.
Anna stoked her gold bracelet and smiled at Blythe with such condescension that Mercy considered throwing up her hands in defeat. “His Grace was right to be jealous of the attention Mercy received. She was very lovely in her youth.”
Although alarmed that Anna thought her less lovely now she was a few years older than the green girl she had been, Mercy strove to ignore the comment and control the flush of embarrassment heating her skin. Did she really look so different?
“Actually, I think the room is filled with naturally beautiful women,” Leopold said suddenly, his gaze dipping to where Anna still fiddled with her jewelry. “I cannot help feeling particularly lucky to be introduced to such remarkable women.”
A hot flush of pleasure raced across Mercy’s skin. Leopold had never given her a compliment before except in private. To hear him do so in public endeared him to her more. She wanted everyone to know how great his heart was. But her heart also swelled in wonder that he included Blythe in his comment. He would not be Blythe’s favorite person at the moment, yet he considered her remarkable, too. Her sister scowled at him, and then glanced away, a blush coloring her cheeks.
“Yes, yes.” Lord Shaw chimed in. “I cannot imagine a better place to be than at Romsey Abbey.”
“I quite agree,” Leopold said immediately.
His glance landed and stayed fixed on Lord Shaw. They sized each other up as if they were combatants. Thank heavens they were supposed to be on their best behavior during social calls or she feared Leopold would take umbrage at the heated looks Lord Shaw kept throwing her way. It was nice he was unsettled, but it was also quite unnecessary.
Mercy turned to Anna, hoping to distract the men. “Anna you looked equally exquisite that year. The embroidery was so remarkable that I always thought I could reach out and prick my finger on the thorns. The ladies were all agog for the design and Edwin told me you cut quite a swathe through the gentlemen’s hearts.”