Page 33 of The Gentlewoman Companion

“Trelawney is a Cornish name,” Louisa said to Mr. Trelawney, “but I assume your family is long removed from the region?”

Miss Trelawney waved a hand. “Our family has resided in Gloucestershire for generations.” Her brother cast her a dubious look then resettled his gaze on Louisa’s chest.

“Are the Cornish Trelawneys so ill-mannered?” asked Mr. Lewis. He directed the question at Louisa, who appreciated his defense but could hardly answer, though she thought it doubtful the Cornish Trelawneys could be half so elegant as Miss Trelawney and her family.

Lord Halverton tossed a fish at Mr. Trelawney’s face, shifting the gawker’s stare from Louisa. “Another round.” He began dealing.

Louisa relaxed her tense shoulders. Lord Halverton and Mr. Lewis would not allow anyone to bamfer her! She rested against the cushion at the back of her chair, feeling quite equal to anything.

When Lord Halverton pushed Louisa’s card to her, he looked at her with a silent apology for his discourteous guests. Well, one could not choose their neighbors, but they were not all bad. Besides, Miss Trelawney had only been teasing her.

As the group settled into silence, the conversation at the other table became audible.

“…needless expense of that gown. If you indulge your companion, she will not know her place,” Lady Waxpole spoke to Lady Halverton.

“Her place,” Lady Halverton retorted, “is beside me.”

Louisa sat upright, hands clenched in her lap. In the next round when the dealer auctioned an ace, she bid hard and loud, taking the card and winning another round. She had more fish than anyone, and her zealous focus on the game distracted her from Lady Waxpole’s too-loud voice.

Miss Trelawney turned to Louisa. “Do you ride? I should love to show you the countryside.”

Louisa wanted badly to trust the invitation, but it felt insincere. Why would Miss Trelawney wish to ride with Louisa? Should she decline? “I nearly fell from a spooked horse recently.” She bit her cheek, unsure if she regretted refusing the offer.

“A great pity. But do let me know when you are ready.” She flashed a smile at Louisa and glanced at Lord Halverton before turning back to Miss Cron, who had remained silent much of the game, losing and winning just enough to maintain the ten fish with which she had begun. “And you, Miss Cron, do you ride?”

She looked down at her fish. “If Miss Thorpe is uncomfortable on a horse, I have an open-air donkey carriage at my disposal.”

“Oh!” Louisa gasped, truly thrilled at the offer. “I am familiar with that carriage. How lovely that Miss Fischer and Mrs. Beecham allow you to use it!”

“Yes, they are my aunts. Tomorrow then?” Miss Cron’s smile was a mere whisper.

Lady Halverton had mentioned the sisters had a niece. “Tomorrow. And you drive the carriage yourself?” At this Lord Halverton tapped his finger on the table and raised his brows. Well, if he would not indulge her, she would find another instructor.

“I cannot remember not knowing how,” Miss Cron said.

Louisa’s heart galloped. “If it isn’t difficult⁠—”

Mr. Lewis slapped his card in the middle of the table with a good-humored, “Are we playing or not?”

After another round, Miss Trelawney said, “If there is room for three in that quaint little carriage of yours, I would join you.”

“I fear it only admits two,” Miss Cron said, “but you may ride along side.”

“I believe I will join you.” She nodded at Miss Cron, then at Louisa.

Though Louisa recognized Miss Trelawney’s look as condescending, she was eager to know more of both young ladies.

At the game’s end, Lord Halverton said, “I believe Miss Thorpe is champion. Pall mall is not the only game at which she excels.”

Louisa pushed her cards toward him. Their fingers brushed and she met his eyes, accepting and gentle. Friendship. The sensation crowned a successful evening that had begun with uncertainty.

When the room cleared of guests and she and the countess bid goodnight to Lord Halverton, Louisa ascended the stairs beside Lady Halverton. “Where were Miss Fischer and Mrs. Beecham?”

“They are too sober for trivial card parties,” Lady Halverton said.

“Really?”

“They eschew cards, gossip, and spirits.”