Page 18 of A Bachelor’s Lessons in Love

Lady Kendal barely acknowledged her response. Instead, she returned her attention to the clerk, speaking as though neither of the other ladies were there at all. She looked over the stationery with gold embossed lettering, nodded, and gave direction for a few adjustments. “Do be sure my daughter’s stationery is prepared before the end of the week, Mr. Keller. We will require it in time for several important invitations.”

Felicity’s hands folded carefully in front of her. This was Society; a place where youth mattered more than intelligence, and breeding mattered more than good sense. Where marriageable young ladies were seen, and spinsters were merely tolerated. She had long since accepted that this was her place in the world, but the sting of it never fully faded.

Daphne, however, was delighted. When Lady Kendal remembered them long enough to bid them a courteous farewell and swept from the shop, Daphne practically hummed with excitement.

“Aunt Felicity, can you believe it? She wants me to meet her daughter—Lady Kendal! A lady! Oh, this is a good first step, is it not?”

Felicity forced a smile, smoothing a hand over her jacket. “Yes, darling. Wonderful indeed.”

Because it was. For Daphne. That was all that mattered.

But as she turned back to the counter to approve the engravings for Daphne’s calling cards, Felicity found herself unable to shake the reminder—yet again—of precisely where she stood on the rungs of London’s fashionable set: as close to the bottom as one could be before actually becoming a servant.

It was a thought she pushed far from her mind as they continued on to other errands until the time came to rejoin Colonel Halstead for tea. The tea shop he had suggested was warm and bustling, the scent of fresh bread and spiced cakes mingling with the sharp notes of steeping leaves. Felicity and Daphne arrived just before the appointed time, the weight of their parcels slightly burdensome but nothing they couldn’t manage. They had ordered most things to be delivered to Briarwood House, but a few items had seemed important to keep with them. At least, Daphne had wanted to keep them, and Felicity could hardly deny her such a small thing.

She spotted Edward Halstead at once. He sat near the window, an untouched cup of tea before him, his broad shoulders making the delicate chair seem far too small for his frame. The sight of him in such a genteel and feminine setting, amid painted porcelain cups and cream cloth-draped tables, doilies covering every spare inch amidst the soft pink of the wallpaper, was almost amusing. He looked like a soldier placed in the middle of a garden party, yet he wore the scene well, appearing at ease despite his incongruity.

Daphne hesitated only a moment before moving toward him, fingers clutching the fabric of her skirt in a nervous gesture Felicity recognized. It was strange how easily Daphne had engaged with Lady Kendal earlier, yet now, in front of Colonel Halstead, she turned shy again.

“Colonel Halstead,” Daphne greeted him with a small curtsy.

The gentleman rose immediately, bowing with precise courtesy before gesturing for them to take their seats. “Miss Price, Miss Daphne.” His gaze flickered over the packages they carried. “I see the day has been productive.”

Felicity settled into her chair, careful with her movements. It was a small effort, but after hours of standing, walking, and enduring subtle slights, she felt the ache in her legs and shoulders. Her gown was still tidy, her bonnet and hair still in place, but the strain of the day draped around her like a too-heavy shawl she could not take off.

“Very productive,” she said lightly. “Daphne now has her calling cards and writing paper ordered. She has been measured for a new wardrobe appropriate for a young lady of her station. We were even given the unexpected honor of meeting the Countess of Kendal.”

Colonel Halstead lifted a brow. “An honor?”

Daphne brightened, though she cast a quick glance at her aunt before saying, “She was very kind. She suggested I might make the acquaintance of her daughter, Lady Louisa, before the Season begins.”

Colonel Halstead’s expression gave nothing away, but Felicity caught the way his gaze flickered over Daphne, assessing. Was there anyone in Society who wasn’t measuring up their neighbor? “That is good fortune, indeed,” he said quietly. “Lady Kendal is well respected in London.”

“Yes,” Felicity murmured, lifting her teacup to her lips to hide her wry smile. Well respected, indeed. And well practiced in the art of social dismissal.

Colonel Halstead’s attention shifted to her. “And you, Miss Price?” His voice was as even as ever, but there was something in the way he regarded her which made her straighten slightly. An unexpected flicker of interest in his eyes. What did it mean? “How did you find your day?”

Felicity took a breath, composing herself. There was no point in lingering on old wounds. She was accustomed to them, after all. “Quite satisfactory,” she answered, choosing her words carefully. “We accomplished a great deal. Miss Daphne was the focus of our time, as she should be.”

Colonel Halstead said nothing at first, only stirred his tea absently before speaking again. “That does not exactly answer my question.”

Felicity’s fingers tightened around her cup. Observant man.

Before she could formulate a response, Daphne leaned forward slightly, her shyness giving way to earnest enthusiasm. “Aunt Felicity is being modest. She has been guiding me all day, and has helped me choose the best of everything—and she never once thought of herself, though I did try to have her spend at least some of her own funds on something pretty or even useful for herself. She would not take even a moment to consider doing so—but then, she never does.”

The gentleman’s gaze sharpened on Felicity, something unreadable in his expression.

Felicity forced a small smile. “It is a chaperone’s duty to ensure the young lady in her charge is properly provided for. Besides, I have no personal needs at present. That is all.” It had been years since anyone expected Felicity Price to indulge in anything simply for the pleasure of it. That was a privilege for young women with futures ahead of them. Her days of acquiring pretty things for herself had ended when she realized there was no one left in the world who cared whether she wore pink roses or daisies in her hair.

A silence settled between them for a moment, but before Colonel Halstead could speak again, a server arrived to take their order. Grateful for the reprieve, Felicity changed the topic the moment the server left, keeping Daphne engaged in sharing her thoughts about London thus far. Though she caught Colonel Halstead’s gaze on her several times, his expression somewhat worrisome, he appeared to study her for a purpose. Perhaps trying to determine whether she would be invited to stay or told to go.

How could she convince him he needed her to remain in Daphne’s life?

Chapter Six

The next day, Felicity helped Daphne rearrange the furniture in the room they’d chosen as their primary place to pass the afternoon. With the cool winter sun coming through the western facing windows, the room had enough light and natural warmth to make the small hearth enough to keep them comfortable. Together, despite her niece’s suggestion that they request the assistance of a footman which Felicity had sternly declined, they shifted the settee to sit between the window and fireplace, then moved the three chairs to make the sitting more cozy if they welcomed guests.

“Pardon me, Miss Price.” A voice from the doorway had Felicity turning to see one of the young footmen there, his brow furrowed in curiosity as he looked around the room.