Page 11 of Miss Devon’s Choice

Those eyes. They had pierced directly through her. Had they been dark? She felt sure they had. They’d stared right at her, the intensity of them striking her more than whatever color they were.

The door behind her opened and she fell backward, all thoughts of her betrothed fleeing as her hands reached out searching for purchase.

Arms caught her from behind, and the person holding her stumbled back a step. “Rebecca? What on earth—”

She looked up into her cousin’s eyes. “You look lovely, Virginia,” she said, forcing a smile. Rebecca regained her balance and Lucas came behind his wife, putting a supporting arm around her shoulders.

“Are either of you hurt?” he asked, his eyes going from one to the other of them.

In her childhood, Rebecca had stood in awe of Lucas Calvert, the wealthiest and highest-ranking man in the neighborhood. After his marriage to her cousin, she also counted him as family. “I’m well.”

“I am, too,” Virginia added, taking her husband’s offered arm. “Rebecca, what were you doing leaning against my door? You haven’t taken to eavesdropping, have you?” Virginia teased. “We were on our way down to dinner.”

“He’s here,” Rebecca blurted. “Lord Easton is here. He’s just arrived. He and his valet rode carriage horses, because the carriage was damaged. He said five miles down the road, I think. He’s soaking wet.” She didn’t pause for breath. “Virginia. What am I going to do?”

Virginia’s eyes first narrowed as she tried to keep up with her younger cousin, then widened. The countess stepped away from her husband and put her hands on Rebecca’s shoulders. “It’s all right, sweetheart. Compose yourself. Lucas?”

He went to the door. “I’ll see what I need to do to help Lord Easton.” Lucas smiled at them both in that charming way of his.

Virginia released Rebecca and went to the door, closing it behind him. “Tell me everything,” she said, taking Rebecca’s hand. “Did you speak to him?”

Rebecca’s cheeks felt hot again as she shook her head. “I didn’t say a word to him. I was on the steps when he came in. He explained the whole of it to the footman—Darvis? It doesn’t matter. Then we were introduced, and I ran. I said I was coming to find Lucas.” Rebecca raised her eyes to Virginia’s, horrified by what she’d done. “He must think me the rudest sort of creature.”

Virginia bit her bottom lip, her eyes dancing with amusement, which certainly wasn’t appreciated at that moment. “Sweet girl, I doubt he thinks any such thing, but if any damage has been done we will repair it. What did he look like?”

Rebecca blinked once. “He’s very tall? And dark. And broad.”

The countess laughed, not unkindly. “Surely you noticed more than that. This is the man you’re going to marry. Oh, dear.”

Rebecca’s soft sob had interrupted her cousin’s comforting words.

“Rebecca, it’s going to be all right. I didn’t mean to laugh. It struck me as odd that you wouldn’t take note of those things, but I suppose you have your mind on other matters. Come now. Dry your eyes.” Virginia went to her dressing table and procured a clean handkerchief, holding it out to her cousin. “You don’t want your second meeting to begin with tears. There. You are restored.”

“This is not going well at all,” Rebecca said, sitting down in a chair placed near the hearth. “Virginia, what am I going to do?” she asked for a second time. She sniffled and twisted the handkerchief in her hands.

“You are going to be gentle with yourself,” Virginia said, her voice demonstrating the very quality she named. “Forget all about seeing him at the door. The next time you meet, pretend it is the first time. All will be well. Remember your plan, Rebecca.”

When Christine had dismissed her plan as foolish, Rebecca had nearly decided not to confide it to Virginia. To her relief, the countess acted as though it was a perfectly sensible idea, to determine to fall in love. The reminder calmed Rebecca.

“What if he hates me?” she whispered, the fear sliding past her lips for the first time since she’d been informed of her betrothal.

“No one hates you, my dear. You are a kind woman. He will be in awe of you.” Virginia took Rebecca’s hands and tugged her to her feet. “There now. No more worries or tears. I must see to my guests. Come with me.”

Rebecca took another fortifying breath. “Yes, my lady.” She tried to smile, but feared it looked wobbly, just as her courage felt wobbly.

They went to the parlor nearest the dining room. The guests were already gathered, mingling with one another, the room in comfortable spirits. Somehow, the complete normalcy of the setting unnerved Rebecca even more. How could none of the assembled know how her pulse thrummed? Surely, her agitation must be apparent to all. She strove harder to conceal it, pasting on her most pleasant, polite expression.

Aunt Jacqueline descended upon her not a moment later. “You look dreadful,” she whispered, eyeing Rebecca carefully. “Have you been crying?”

That nearly brought the tears back. Rebecca shook her head. Her aunt would continue pressing her unless she found a topic of greater interest. “Lord Easton has arrived.”

“Late.” Aunt Jacqueline shook her head, in despair of the fate of a world where people did not arrive on time, no doubt. She said not another word, but went in search of another matron for conversation.

“Oh, Miss Devon,” Miss Dunhill, the daughter of Lord Mostyn, said as Rebecca drew near. Her father was a baron. “It is so delightful to be included in this party, though I must say I’m grateful not to be the only young lady present. Of course, with your impending nuptials, you are a touch above me in refinement, I daresay.”

The girl possessed more poise in her little finger than Rebecca thought herself capable of producing on the best of days.

Miss Dunhill’s prattle scraped against Rebecca’s nerves in precisely the wrong direction. “You must be glad to have your betrothed coming to join us. I have heard he’s a very dramatic sort. Do you think he will enjoy a quiet country party? I know I always have. That is to say, I have always wished to. It is a relief to be out of the schoolroom at last and take part as an actual guest.” The girl batted her long lashes over her crystal blue eyes, her expression entirely innocent.