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Mother did not speak to me when I returned from the drive. She didn’t want to hear about where Mr. Melbourne and I had gone. Even the following day, she was still fuming when she, Papa, and myself walked down to the Rooms.
There appeared to be many visitors gathered. We hadn’t been inside for more than a few minutes when we saw a familiar face: Mr. Bywood. The alteration in Mother’s mood could not have been more drastic. “Mr. Bywood, we have been wondering where you have been keeping yourself,” she said enthusiastically. “It has been an age.”
“I’ve been keeping myself busy,” he said politely as he paused by us.
“Why don’t you and dear Grace take a turn about the room?”
Is this how Mother expected to get her way? By calling me dear as she pushed me at someone who had shown no interest in me? “Actually, Mr. Anderson, I would appreciate a word with you,” Mr. Bywood said, looking at my father. “I am in need of advice from someone who has owned an estate.”
“Oh?” Papa said in surprise.
“You may have heard I had the misfortune to win an estate from Mr. Danial Dunbar,” Mr. Bywood said, getting straight to the point. “It is shockingly ramshackle, and I find myself in need of advice as to how to proceed. I would not like to pass it off to someone else as it is, but how am I to improve it?”
That was admirable of him, and I was more than a little surprised. My parents exchanged looks. “I know Colonel Mayfield inherited an uncle’s estate and he described it as dilapidated,” I said, trying to be helpful. “He may be able to better advise you, sir.”
“What a fine idea, Grace!” Mother said quickly. “Why don’t you help Mr. Bywood find the colonel? You can have a lovely conversation together while you search.”
“And perhaps we will find my friend Melbourne while we do so,” Mr. Bywood said with a sudden grin. He offered his arm to me. “He would make an amusing addition to our party. He can generally be found here, can’t he?”
I saw Mother’s jaw clench at the man’s words. I put my hand on his elbow, eager to be on my way before she could embarrass me. “Indeed. In recent days, he has made a habit of coming, it’s true,” I said as carelessly as I could manage. “And I would not object to him joining us.”
Oh, Mother was not pleased with that as Mr. Bywood drew me away. “Let me guess. Your parents do not approve of Melbourne’s attention toward you,” he said in a low voice.
“My father has not expressed such a sentiment but my mother... You see, we have known him for several years now and he has never shown an interest in me before,” I said, trying to explain as well and as discreetly as I could. “She suspects there might be a wager or some mischief intended. Mother believes he is making a may game of me.”
“You don’t think so?”
“He has always been sincere. He may have been a bit wild in his younger years but I do not see it now,” I remarked. Never mind, I couldn’t remember the specifics of said ‘wild youth.’
“I haven’t known him long, but he doesn’t seem like the kind of gentleman who would trifle with a lady’s feelings.”
All of my doubts hadn’t been shaken off completely. “And yet, why does he pursue me now? He made his initial interest in Miss Dunbar obvious not so long ago.”
Mr. Bywood hesitated and I regretted my question. And then he said something surprising. “Perhaps he respected the grief you feel for your departed betrothed. He was a friend to your Mr. Sinclair, was he not? Maybe he sensed you would not have been open to moving on until now.”
“I know Jonathan looked on Mr. Melbourne as a sort of younger brother. Mr. Melbourne seldom accompanied us when Jonathan and I courted, so I cannot say we knew each other well at the time.”
“Then you must be glad to have the opportunity to know him better now.”
If there was something I wish I could control, it was my tendency to blush. Our conversation was interrupted by the man we were discussing. Melbourne swung his cane as he walked up. “Miss Anderson! Bywood,” he said, his eyes on me. He made his usual bow. “I am surprised to find you together.”
Was that jealousy I heard in his voice? Surely he didn’t think I preferred Mr. Bywood’s company! “Miss Anderson was kind enough to accede to her parents’ request to introduce me to a Colonel Mayfield,” Mr. Bywood said before I could speak. “A colonel we have not yet seen. Perhaps you have?”
“Oh? Not to my knowledge.”
I couldn’t decide whether to be annoyed with Mr. Melbourne for being jealous or to just laugh. Instead, I looked over the moving crowd. “The colonel inherited a wreck of an estate some years back,” I said, though I did not feel I needed to explain anything to reassure him. “Since Mr. Bywood is seeking advice on how to proceed with such a situation, I thought the colonel would be able to advise him.”
“Then you are set on saving Pearsend?” Mr. Melbourne asked in surprise, looking at my companion.
“At the moment, I have no set decision,” Mr. Bywood said in answer. “I would like to save it, but it may be beyond my capabilities. I won’t know until I have more information.”
We were joined then by yet another person and quite the last girl I wished to see. “Well, for goodness sake!” Miss Dunbar said with a laugh. “Dear Miss Anderson, I would never have expected to find you the belle of the ball! And yet, here you are with two fine gentlemen, hanging on your every word! What have you been saying to them?”
Shaking my head, I realized I still had my hand on Mr. Bywood’s arm and hastily remedied the situation. “I wouldn’t say they are hanging on my every word for I have not said anything at all interesting.”
“Miss Anderson is too modest,” Mr. Melbourne said immediately. He smiled at me. “She is always interesting.”
Was he determined to see me blush every time we met? Miss Dunbar’s eyes glinted and her smile froze. “What a compliment! Do you think the same, Mr. Bywood? Is Miss Anderson such a fascinating lady?”
Mr. Bywood hesitated. What a situation I had put him in! Clearly, he did not wish to be too complementary of me and annoy Mr. Melbourne. At the same time, it would be ungentlemanly to disagree and risk offending me.
“You hesitate!” Miss Dunbar exclaimed, with entirely too much glee. Why was her voice so loud? “Come. You can be truthful with us. After all, we are friends here, are we not? The truth shall not offend anyone.”
I didn’t have it in me to allow the girl to continue teasing my companion. “Mr. Bywood is too kind,” I said. “He no doubt does not wish to offend me, but I understand him. Why should he be obliged to flatter me when there is already one without comparison in his mind?”
The swift change of expression on Mr. Melbourne’s face was astonishing. “Has a lady caught your eye, Bywood?” he asked with a grin. All traces of jealousy and concern was gone. “I did not know!”
“Nor did I,” Miss Dunbar said, her tone tight. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes “You must tell us who the fortunate lady is and why you have not even mentioned her before this!