Jennette glanced over at her mother, who sent her a sympathic smile. Baron Huntley, seated to her right, welcomed her.
“Good evening, Lady Jennette.”
Jennette slowly took her seat, attempting to ignore the blazing heat of Matthew’s stare. “Good evening, Huntley.”
“I’d heard you were feeling unwell earlier. I hope you are better now.”
“I am much recovered, thank you.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow at her. “Good evening, Lady Jennette.”
“Blackburn,” she replied curtly. But nothing could stop the heat from flaming across her face.
After the footman placed a plate of food in front of her, she pressed her hand to her stomach. She’d only eaten a piece of toast and a cup of tea all day. Now the rumbling in her stomach incited her to eat heartily, but, not wanting to look like a glutton, she slowly picked up her fork and cut a piece of beef.
As she ate, she attempted to ignore the glaring stare of the man across from her. Several times Matthew had tried to draw her into conversation, but she turned her attention to Huntley.
“Lady Jennette, I must tell you how impressed I am with your watercolors,” Huntley said before taking a bite of potatoes.
“Thank you, Huntley. Where did you see one of my watercolors?”
“Lady Elizabeth’s literary salon. She told me the watercolor above the sofa was your work.”
Jennette nodded. “Indeed.”
“Lovely.” He took a sip of his wine and turned slightly toward her before leaning in and whispering, “Almost as lovely as you.”
Jennette smiled tightly. “Thank you.”
Luckily, Huntley returned to his dinner and spoke to the lady on his right. She glanced over at Matthew, who tilted his head as one eyebrow rose in question. Why was it so hard to ignore the man? She had the oddest desire to ask him about his morning. Had he gone hunting with the men? Or stayed behind and practiced swords with Lord Aston?
“Did you have an enjoyable morning, Lord Blackburn?” She wanted to slap her hand over her mouth.
“Very much so. I went on the hunt with several of the other men.”
“Indeed.”
“And you?” he asked softly. “Did you enjoy your morning alone?”
Hearing the sensual undertones of his voice made her wish she could give him a proper retort. Instead, all that came out of her mouth was, “Yes, thank you.”
Dinner progressed more slowly than Jennette would have preferred. Course after course left her uncomfortably full and she wanted nothing more than to leave the awkward glances of everyone behind her. Finally, Lady Aston stood and commanded all the ladies to follow her to the great salon at the front of the house.
Avis caught up to her as she walked down the long hallway to the salon. “How did that go?”
“Dreadful. Between Huntley’s thinly veiled flirtations and Blackburn’s burning gaze, I am feeling quite exhausted tonight.”
“Oh my, Huntley?”
“Yes. He complimented me on the watercolor landscape above the sofa at Elizabeth’s home.” Jennette looked over as Avis frowned.
“But that’s an oil landscape.”
Jennette smiled tightly. “Exactly.”
Avis covered her mouth with her hand, suppressing a grin. “Did you correct his assumption?”
“Of course not. You know as well as I that women don’t paint in oils. That’s far too masculine a pursuit,” Jennette said scornfully.