Free Already His (The Caversham Chronicles - Book Two) by Sandy Raven Page B

backside. Whenever someone came up to chat with him, if they got in his line of sight he’d skillfully shift his position so that he’d have you back within view. In particular, he watched you closely as you danced with Mr. Sinclair.”
    Rolling onto her stomach, she faced her friend. “Oh, Beverly, he said some of the most flirtatious things to me while we danced. I hope he’s forgiven me all my youthful schemings. I couldn’t bear it if he thought I hadn’t changed.”
    “Well,” her friend replied, “that’s yet to be determined. But judging from what I witnessed with my own two eyes, I don’t think Lord Camden is seeing you in quite the same light as before.”
    Bridget entered the room, carrying a tray of tea and breakfast for both girls. “I figured you was in here and thought you might want something to eat too.”
    “Thank you, Bridget.” Elise sat up and took a piece of ham. “Whatever would I do without you?”
    “Well, seein’ as I don’t plan on goin’ anywhere, you’ll never have to know, now will ye?”
    Elise swallowed her bite. “Do you know if my brother and sister-in-law are up yet?”
    “They’re breakfasting in their chamber and the morning papers are in the room with them.”
    Beverly and Elise shared a worried glance. Her maid kindly relieved them of any fears when she plastered a smile on her freckled face. “They’re sayin’ you’re a huge success, my lady.”
    Beverly expelled a long-held breath. “Really?”
    “Oh, my,” Elise said. “That’s wonderful news!” Elise then looked at Bridget and chided, “See? You were worried for nothing.” Elise smiled triumphantly.
    “Well, like I told Mrs. Steen,” her maid said, “the season ain’t over yet. You’ve still got time to fall on yer face.”
    “I won’t, Bridget. You’ll see. I will make everyone of you proud of me.” Taking another bite in a most unladylike manner from the slice of ham she held between her fingers, Elise mumbled through a full mouth, “Most especially Lord Camden.”
     
    O nce breakfasted and dressed, the two young ladies went in search of the duchess. They found her seated at her desk in her morning room and greeted her as Niles left the room.
    “He brought more cards.” Lia waved her hand over the stack. “This pile only gets bigger and bigger. We’ll have to decide which events to attend and which to send our regrets.” The Duchess continued to flip through the cards saying, “And the flowers! Have you looked in the front drawing room yet? It smells like grandmother’s hot house in spring.” She handed Beverly a note, saying, “It’s from your father.”
    Passing the note to her friend, Elise sat in the chair before Lia’s desk. “Where is my brother? I wanted to thank you both for last night.”
    “He and Michael were to meet after breakfast at that place... Ah... come si dice? A salone para ....”
    At Elise’s look of confusion, Her Grace tried to clarify, “That place where civilized men beat on one another. Ah... uno ginnasio? ”
    “Oh! A gymnasium,” Elise replied, finally catching her meaning. “They’ve gone to Gentleman Jim’s.”
    “Yes, that’s it,” Lia said. “A gentleman’s gym!”
    “I hope Ren isn’t too hard on Michael. After all, I only danced with him one time and he came to my rescue.” She wanted to add that she didn’t want her brother pummeling her future husband, but held her tongue.
    “My father will be here Friday!” Beverly squealed with joy, before she lowered herself into a chair. Tempering her speech to more ladylike tones, she continued. “He sends his regards, and has reminded me once again, to thank you both from the bottom of his heart and my own.” She looked up from the handwritten pages and smiled. “He says that in every letter, you know.” Beverly lowered her gaze and continued to read her father’s correspondence.
    “I’d begun to worry that he might not make it. I’m so glad he will be here,” Elise said,