Falling for the Marquess - Julianne MacLean Page 0,57

said.

Under her arm, she carried a large, heavy package wrapped in brown paper, and set it down on a chair at the table. She served herself breakfast from the sideboard and took a seat. “It was a nice dinner last night,” she said. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

He glanced up from his paper again. His cousin did not usually initiate conversations at breakfast. She was painfully shy, and this attempt to converse surprised him.

Seger casually folded his paper and set it aside. “I did enjoy myself. And you?”

Rarely did Gillian meet his gaze when she spoke to him—or anyone else for that matter—but this morning she made the effort. A few times, at any rate.

It was a shame that she was not more confident, Seger thought. She was not an unattractive young woman, if only she would smile and speak up more often.

“It was delightful,” she replied. “I must say, I like Clara very much. She’s lovely.”

“I’m pleased to hear it.”

The conversation stalled for a moment while Gillian ate her breakfast. Seger considered picking up the paper again but did not wish to be rude. He sipped his coffee instead and stared out the window.

“September is a wonderful time for a wedding,” Gillian said, surprising him again by resuming the conversation. “Will Clara’s family come from America? I understand she has another sister.”

“Yes, her name is Adele and she’s eighteen. I’m sure she will look forward to meeting you, Gillian. She is out this year for her first Season, just like you.”

“I wonder what it would be like to have a Season in New York,” Gillian replied. “America sounds like an exciting place. I would like to visit it sometime.”

“Perhaps you will.”

She smiled at him, though he saw very little joy in her eyes. He had never seen Gillian sparkle the way Clara did, and he’d known her since she was an infant, when she came with her mother from Scotland to attend Quintina’s marriage to Seger’s father. Seger had been seven at the time.

Seger also recalled the day they buried Gillian’s mother, two years ago. Gillian had wept silently through the entire service. Seger had sat in a pew across from her and watched her wipe her cheeks incessantly under the black netting of her hat, but she never uttered a sound.

She, like him, was an only child—except that she had been extremely close to her mother. Quintina had explained the uncommon bond between them when she received the telegram about her sister’s death. Seger had marveled at the bond, realizing he was not able to understand what it could have been like growing up in a house where one did not feel completely alone. Seger had grieved deeply for the young woman’s loss.

She must feel very alone now, he thought with more than a little sympathy, though Quintina did her best to be a mother figure.

Gillian finished her breakfast and set down her fork. She reached for the package beside her. “I have something for you, Seger. It’s an engagement gift.” She stood and brought the gift around the table and handed it to him.

He gazed up at her warmly. “What an unexpected surprise. Thank you, Gillian.”

She sat down in Quintina’s usual spot while Seger used his breakfast knife to cut the string and open the package.

“The latest edition of The Popular Atlas,” he said with delight. “What a perfect gift, Gillian. How did you know I enjoy maps?”

“I’ve noticed that you read a lot of travel books, and the atlas you have is very old. This one is new and has more detail.”

He leafed through it. “I dare say it does. This is magnificent. Thank you again.” He smiled at her, reached across the table and patted her hand. “I will treasure it always.”

Her eyes lit up at the compliment and he was pleased to at last see some evidence of a spark.

Chapter 13

Dear Clara,

Mother is determined to have me follow in your footsteps next year. She has hired an Englishwoman as my new governess. Mrs. Wadsworth is helping me to learn all about aristocratic etiquette. Just today I learned that if I was ever to break a vase or a glass in a noblewoman’s home, I should not offer to pay for it. That would be very bad form. Keep that in mind if you are ever so clumsy, dear sister...

Love,

Adele

Shortly before three o’clock in the morning, Clara tiptoed downstairs to open the door she and Seger had decided upon—the same one she had used to sneak