had suddenly decided to turn a bright shade of blue. “Cozy homeliness?”
“Take this room for example. It’s got to be ten times the size of any other parlor I’ve ever seen.”
“Space is important. I always find small rooms too cramped.”
“Certainly,” she agreed, acknowledging his point with a dip of her head. “But look at how far apart all the pieces of furniture have been placed. If you choose to sit in that sofa over there, you cannot possibly carry on a conversation with the person opposite without shouting.”
“Naturally, I would converse with the person sitting beside me,” he said as if she were the most thickheaded woman he’d ever encountered.
Angelica bristled. “It isn’t practical, nor does it offer the sort of welcoming atmosphere I would be drawn to. You’d be much better off moving that sofa over there and then adding one more seating arrangement over here. A gaming table would work well too as an alternative, and…”
“And what?” he asked her tightly.
She swallowed, unsure if it was wise of her to continue. Then again, she had come this far so why on earth not? “Rugs. Preferably in burgundy tones to complement the pale green upholstery.”
“Right.” They’d arrived back at the spot where they’d started. He released her arm, took a step back. “You’ve given me a great deal to think about, my lady. I do hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.” Upon which he strode away, directly toward the door leading out to the hallway.
Mrs. Essex stood there and Lord Sterling soon joined her. They exchanged a few words and then, with one swift backward glance and no parting words to his guests, he left the parlor with her. But what struck Angelica as particularly odd was the look in Mrs. Essex’s eyes when she’d met Angelica’s gaze. It was almost as if she’d been laughing at her.
“How was it?” Lucy asked.
Angelica shook off the uneasy feeling the housekeeper gave her and turned to her friend. “I fear I ruined my chances.” She returned to the seat she’d vacated earlier.
“Surely it can’t have been that bad.” Lucy was carefully nibbling on a small chocolate-covered biscuit.
“Well,” Angelica told her with a sigh, “I told him I disliked the food and found his home lacking. Frankly, it’s a wonder he didn’t insult me in return.”
“Hmm… There’s always a chance he likes honest women.”
“I was blunt to the point of rudeness, Lucy. And I don’t even know why, but it couldn’t be helped. Once I started talking there was no stopping the words. It was awful.”
“Perhaps another cup of tea would make you feel better?”
“Thank you, but I think I’d prefer to retire for the evening. I’ll just inform my mother.”
“I’ll come upstairs with you.” Lucy brushed the crumbs from her fingers and stood. “No sense in me staying here without you or my host.”
Ten minutes later, after pointing out to her mother that Lord Sterling had abandoned them all in favor of lord knew what, Angelica said good night to Lucy outside her bedchamber door and went to prepare for bed. The same maid who’d unpacked her things earlier responded when she rang the bell pull. She didn’t say much while she worked, which was fine with Angelica since enough things had happened today to occupy her brain without her having to engage in small talk with a servant.
“Will that be all?” the maid, whose name turned out to be Emma, asked once she’d finished combing Angelica’s hair.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Then I’ll wish you a pleasant night, my lady.” Emma bobbed a quick curtsey and departed, shutting the door behind her.
Angelica stared at it for a moment, then glanced toward the door connecting her room with her mother’s. She was tempted to open it, but resisted the urge. It was just that the feeling she’d had in here earlier – of cold fingers creeping over her skin – was back.
She shook her head and laughed at her silliness, then glanced at her book which lay waiting for her on the bedside table. Clearly she’d become too engrossed in her English translation of Fantasmagoriana if elements were becoming part of her own reality.
Still… She bit her lip, then grinned as she climbed into bed and picked up the novel. She simply had to know what happened next. Settling back against her pillows, Angelica opened it and started to read. She liked how the book was compiled of short stories that were reasonably quick to get through. Right now, she was in