“Me as well.” Lady Staveley nodded in agreement. “I wish we’d had a chance to speak last night.”
“Well, actually,” Mrs. Avery began, pressing back to her feet, “I am to meet Mama to go shopping this afternoon. She will be in a temper if I’m late again.”
“Please don’t rush away on my account,” Lady Staveley said, her brow furrowing just so.
But Mrs. Avery shook her head. “Oh, never think such a thing. You know how my mother is.”
“Indeed.” Lady Staveley agreed with a nod. “Do pass on my love to Evelyn when you see her.”
Mrs. Avery started from the room and let Greg press a kiss to her cheek. “I assume all went well this morning?” she asked him, staring quite pointedly up at him.
What was that about, Bella wondered?
“Perfectly well,” Greg said with a nod, then he turned his attention back to Bella. “Higgins said everything is set up in the sitting room if you’re ready.”
Everything. Her paints and canvas. “Yes, yes,” she said, lifting off the settee as well.
Then Mrs. Avery wished everyone a happy rest of their day before quitting the room.
Greg reached his hand out to Bella, and said to his sister, “And we will leave the two of you to gossip ‘til your hearts content.”
Cordie laughed. “And just what makes you so certain we’re going to gossip, Gregory Avery?”
“Only the fact that I’ve known you your whole life.”
“Well, there is that,” his sister conceded. Then she grinned once more at Bella. “Make certain you get his superior smug look down just perfectly when you paint him. It won’t look like him otherwise.”
Superior and smug? Bella placed her hand in Greg’s and warmth rushed through her. “I think you must see him differently than I do.”
“See?” Greg did then cast his sister an actual smug expression. “Is it any wonder I prefer Bella’s company to anyone else’s?”
His sister laughed again. “Well, I can’t wait to see the final portrait when it’s done.”
“You shall be the first,” Bella began, but when Greg cleared his throat, she amended, “or the second to see it once it’s finished.”
Then she let Greg tug her into the corridor, and she glanced up at him. Such kind green eyes, a perfect aristocratic nose, and the barest hint of a dimple near his left cheek. She couldn’t wait to capture him on her canvas.
* * *
As soon asGreg and Bella left the parlor, Cordie grinned at Caroline, Viscountess Staveley. “Do join me.” She gestured to the nearby settee. “I’ll ring for tea.”
The viscountess, a famed matchmaker and very dear friend, smiled in return as she settled into a spot. “For someone taking a break from society, Cordie, you have been quite busy.”
Nothing passed Caroline’s notice. “Indeed. Julian keeps me on my toes,” she agreed as she pulled the bellpull.
“Not what I meant at all.” Caroline speared Cordie with her ever-knowing hazel eyes, and Cordie was more than certain that Caroline had figured her out rather quickly. It was a good thing the viscountess was such a trusted friend.
Higgins cleared his throat from the threshold, drawing Cordie’s attention away from herguest. “Oh, yes, Higgins, please bring a spot of tea and biscuits.”
“Right away, my lady,” her butler replied before disappearing down the corridor.
Then Cordie dropped back into her chair, opposite Caroline.
“Now,” her friend began, “I don’t imagine you had anything to do with that surprising announcement Kelfield made last night.”
Yes, Caroline had already figured Cordie out. Her perceptiveness was something to be admired. “I did ask Kelfield to make that announcement,” she said, enjoying herself more than a bit.
A bright smile lit Caroline’s face. “I am quite aware that you’ve been hoping Avery would find the perfect girl for himself. And something tells me he had a little help in finding Lady Arabella. So do tell me what you’ve been up to, you clever girl.