Free Her Grace in Disgrace (The Widows of Woburn Place) by Claudia Harbaugh Page A

you behave the way
you did at dinner tonight.” Lord Saybrooke knew the instant he spoke that he
had erred badly. “That came out wrong. You know what I meant.”
    Saybrooke saw Isobel’s anger
flashing from her gray eyes in the light of the torches. She did not speak for
some moments. At last she aired her thoughts. “I know what you meant, Lord
Saybrooke. Let me answer your previous question, shall I? If you truly care to
be a friend to me, I would suggest ceasing to impugn my character. That is as
good a place as any to begin.” Isobel’s tone was impressively calm.
    “I am convinced that true
friends tell each other the truth and not just what they want to hear. We have
always been honest with each other, have we not Izzy?” Saybrooke reached out
and took Isobel’s hand in his own.
    “The truth? I wonder, Lord
Saybrooke that if you believe me to be such a wanton, to possess such a wicked
character, why you would want to be my friend.” Isobel pulled her hand out of
his light grasp. “I am a bit chilly. I think I shall go in now.”
    She brushed past him and he
could only follow, inwardly chiding himself for being such a fool.

CHAPTER 5
     
    The next few days were
resplendent with sunshine, good food, and good company. Adelphi was a magnificent
Greek revival mansion commissioned by Mercer’s grandfather, who had tired of
the family’s dreary and decaying castle. It had extensive grounds replete with
two waterfalls and a handful of Greek inspired statues. The gardens alone were
noteworthy, having no less than four scattered about the premises. The group
gathered at Lord Mercer’s home for the sennight enjoyed all the amenities that
the grand house had to offer. There were picnics and archery competitions,
gallops through the countryside and a trip to the ruins of St. Albans Abbey.
Isobel could not remember a happier time. Lord Westcott was all that was proper,
and yet remained steadfastly attentive. Though, ever the gentleman he was
careful not to slight the other ladies in the party. Lady Cynthia, in
particular, demanded his attention more often than Isobel liked, but she, too,
was too polite to show her displeasure. But the few moments that Isobel and
Westcott were able to spend alone together convinced Isobel that Westcott cared
for her. He was thoughtful, witty, self-possessed, but not arrogant. They
conversed easily and enjoyed each other’s company immensely. Lord Westcott
seemed so genuine that Isobel felt a hope surge in her that she might yet have
a chance for happiness.
    The rest of the party was not
quite so fortunate. Lady Cynthia was enamored of Lord Westcott and her parents
were enamored of his wealth. Lord Westcott was courteous to Lady Cynthia, but
much to her chagrin, showed a decided partiality toward “Her Grace in
disgrace”.
    The dashing Captain Danvers
was surprisingly inclined toward the almost mute Miss Parrish, who in her own
shy way showed a decided partiality toward Peter Collins, the local Squire’s son.
Though not part of the house party, he was invited to join most of the activities
to even the numbers. Mr. Collins was in awe of Lady Cynthia, who considered the
countrified gentleman infinitely below her.
    Lady Edgerton was partial to
no one in particular, but flirted with every male in the party. Only Lord Stoughton
seemed disposed to take her flirting seriously and while he was neither young
nor particularly handsome, he was a conquest, and Lady Edgerton made the best
of it. Lady Stoughton, as she had done her entire married life, chose to be
blind to the liaison and concentrated on getting her daughter wed.
    Lord and Lady Doncaster were
wavering between Lord Pelton and Lord Saybrooke. Both were handsome, titled
men, but Pelton’s fortune was much greater and he was an earl to Saybrooke’s viscount.
But Saybrooke seemed the steadier of the two, which the harried parents of the
impetuous Lady Joanna counted in Saybrooke’s favor. Lady Joanna, however, had a
preference for