Page 52 of A Well-Trained Lady

Mr. Leavitt laughed, his belly shaking in rhythm to the sound. “Such a dear girl you are, Arabella. And I will relay your amusing conjecture to Mrs. Leavitt as soon as I greet her. I am certain it will bring her much delight, though not as much as it has given me.”

“And you will not forget to offer her my regards?” I took a few steps toward the door Branson held open, encouraging Mr. Leavitt on his way.

“Of course not,” he said, following my example before stopping on the threshold. “Farewell, Arabella. Mr. Brundage.”

Augustus stepped to my side. “Take care, sir.”

I offered one last parting nod. “Thank you again, Mr. Leavitt.”

With that, the portly man waddled down the steps and toward his awaiting carriage, and with his removal, I found it easier to draw a breath.

As I raised my hand in a final farewell, Augustus leaned against the doorframe, his discerning eyes on me.

“What did Mr. Leavitt want if not to remove you?”

I watched the carriage roll forward, determining what I should say. Augustus would rightly be furious to know Mother was unaware of my being at Fairhaven, especially after I had forgone the opportunity to admit such a thing on several occasions. Then there was the revelation of Papa’s lie that would be too difficult to explain, as I didn’t even understand it.

“Papa sent him to see how I was faring.” The carriage disappeared onto the main road, and still I kept my eyes on the road. I would find a time to explain the truth to Augustus. I simply needed to figure out how to tell him first. A confession of that magnitude required ample thought as to how to best approach it, and, though I typically disapproved of outright lying, my situation hardly seemed conducive to honesty.

“And what did you say?”

I finally met Augustus’s gaze. “That besides the matter of a somewhat irksome host, I am getting on rather well.”

He laughed, pushing himself off the wall so that he towered over me. “Did you mention that you have been spending your days teaching young, impressionable minds how to flirt?”

“You are hardly that young anymore, Augustus.”

He laughed. “I deserved that.”

I lifted my chin. “You most certainly did.”

Augustus’s gaze moved to the hand at my side. “Did he bring you those?”

I glanced down, realizing he spoke of the missives from Mother I still clung to. “Oh, yes,” I said, angling my body to keep him from having a closer look. “Letters from Mrs. Leavitt.”

“Why did he not just have them posted?”

I gave a little shrug. “Since he could not frank it, as Papa is able, I assume he did not want the cost of it to fall to another … not when he intended to visit.”

“It is a very lofty sum.” There were questions in his eyes.

“Is your visitor gone already?” Ruth asked, walking across the entry hall with Sarah in tow. “I had hoped to be introduced after you spoke in private.”

I tilted my head to the side. “He could not stay long, but I shall gladly introduce you if he pays us another visit.” I did not mention that it was not likely to occur within the fortnight.

“And he is your uncle?” Ruth bit at her lip. “No. Your cousin?”

“My father’s cousin.”

Ruth nodded absently. “I knew it was something like that.” She hesitated. “I’m grateful you were able to see him, but he did interrupt our lesson. And I’m certain you were just arriving at the best part. You will continue?”

I laughed, gripping the letters and pinning them tight against me. “Perhaps tomorrow. I believe Augustus will quite agree we have covered enough for the time being.”

“Very well.” Ruth gave a small pout before something caught her eyes out the open door behind me. “Oh look, Aunt Marina has returned.” Both ladies squeezed between me and Augustus, hurrying out the door to meet her.

I took a step toward the staircase. “I believe I will go rest a while in my room.”

Augustus gave a small nod before taking a step to follow Ruth and Sarah outside. He paused, glancing over his shoulder. “Do enjoy reading your letters.”