steadying it while I cleaned his cheek. Our faces were mere inches from each other. If I leaned forward ever so slightly, our lips would touch. I raised my gaze from his mouth to his eyes and my breath caught as truth flooded over me.
All my precautions, all my objections, all my arguments—
they were for naught.
I was in love with Gregory.
Thirty
I reeled back, remembering too late that the easel had been set up again. Again it crashed to the ground.
“Sorry,” I said distractedly as the servant set about righting it.
I couldn’t be in love with Gregory. It was impossible. It was merely loneliness and worry for Alice that had me thinking such ridiculous thoughts.
I shoved the handkerchief at Gregory, staring at it to avoid looking at his face.
He seemed to take forever in reaching for it. His fingers brushed my hand, lingering long enough to send a tingle up my arm. A tingle that I rather enjoyed and that left me longing for more.
I flinched away. “To own the truth, my lord, I do not paint. Please, excuse me.” I walked toward the house, hoping my pace didn’t reveal my retreat for what it was—flight away from him. How had I let this happen? I had promised never to allow my heart to fall in love again.
I had to get away. Far away.
“Miss Brinton,” Mr. Lundall called. “Wait.”
I stopped. I had forgotten all about Mr. Lundall and his desire to speak to me. It would provide a needed distraction until I could regain control of my wayward emotions.
He rushed to my side as a chaise was brought around front. Mr. Lundall frowned and looked at his timepiece. “It is time already. We are too late for our walk.” He dug into his pocket and retrieved a letter. “Here. This is from your brother. He commissioned me to bring it to you.”
I took the note, imagining a scenario where Mr. Lundall pestered Daniel for my whereabouts and Daniel, thinking it would be good humor, not only told him where I was but gave him a note as an excuse for Mr. Lundall to visit. He had probably been laughing ever since Mr. Lundall had left to come find me.
“But, if you’ve spoken with Daniel, you must know about Alice.”
“I regret that I did not know she was ill, so I did not ask after her. Your brother provided no information. I hope the letter answers all your questions to your satisfaction.”
“Why did you not give this to me yesterday?” I broke the seal in my eagerness to know the letter’s content.
“Mr. Lundall,” Miss Perrin said, joining us, her presence forcing me to put the perusal of my letter on hold. “Would you think me terribly unrefined if I begged a ride home? The light isn’t ideal for painting just now, and I believe Miss Bowen is bored.” I glanced at Miss Perrin’s companion; she appeared completely content to sit on that bench until she’d finished her book.
“I have only this chaise,” Mr. Lundall explained.
“It is not very far, I assure you. And we are not overly large women.” She smiled her dazzling smile.
“It will be uncomfortable, but if you do not mind—”
“Not at all.”
“Very well.”
My father and Lady Williams walked out of the house, and Lady Williams smiled with delight. “Miss Perrin, how good to see you. Won’t you come inside?”
Miss Perrin shook her head. “You must excuse me, your ladyship, but Mr. Lundall has been so good as to offer me a ride home.”
“You are leaving, Mr. Lundall?” my father asked.
“Yes, I am afraid so. The man attending me this morning told me it is to rain tomorrow, so my departure must be today.”
“It has been such a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Lady Williams said.
“The pleasure has been all mine.” Mr. Lundall kissed her hand.
Miss Perrin also said farewell, not seeming at all sorry to go, and Mr. Lundall handed her up. Miss Bowen, disgruntled to have her reading interrupted, was handed up on the other side of the chaise by Gregory.
After Miss Perrin and Miss Bowen were settled, Mr. Lundall bid me farewell. “I shall see you upon your return. I hope it will be soon.”
I nodded, also hoping my return would be soon, though I was not eager for him to renew his attentions.
“Mr. Lundall,” Gregory said, “if you ever find yourself in the neighborhood, you must come visit.”
“Very kind,” Mr. Lundall replied. He made one more round of goodbyes, then hopped into the chaise and took