Free What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown Page B

ball."
       "We shall keep your secret," Mina promised.
       "Dancing partners are the least of my worries." Eleanor would have to turn down any offers because she didn't know the steps. She still had to make it to that point and keep Shermont away from the sisters.
       "Well, our Teddy is sure to ask you to dance," Deirdre said with a satisfied smile.
       "He was very attentive to you while playing croquet," Mina said.
       Perhaps too attentive. "Please do nothing to promote an alliance with your brother. I don't…" Would they even believe she didn't find him attrac tive? "I'm not ready for a new relationship yet."
       "You're out of mourning."
       "It's not as simple as that. Please understand, and bear with me."
       "Perhaps we should give you a few weeks to adjust to being here," Mina suggested.
       "I think that might be sufficient," Eleanor said with a sigh of relief. Now if she could only convince Teddy of the same. That burden added to her task of watching the sisters, as well as dealing with her unexpected attraction to Shermont, made the coming evening loom ahead like a dentist appointment for a root canal.
       A knock sounded on the outer door. "Girls?" Aunt Patience trilled from the sitting room. "Where are you?"
       Mina grabbed the tiara from her head, swept all the jewelry into the top drawer, then closed and locked it before Patience entered, making Eleanor wonder about the relationship between the girl and her aunt.
       "There you are, my dears." The older woman plopped into the chair by the window and fanned herself. "I know you are the official hostess this evening, Deirdre, but I truly had to act quickly when I heard the terrible news."
       "What's wrong?" Deirdre asked.
       "What isn't? First, Mrs. Matthews arrives a day earlier than expected with both daughters instead of just the eldest. That makes nine females for dinner. Now, one of Teddy's military friends can't come until tomorrow—some silly excuse about being on duty. I mean, what could he possibly be guarding against in the middle of the English countryside? Marauding cows? Pillaging pigs? Thank goodness Miss Austen sent word she and Miss Jane are not coming today."
       "I did not get that note," Deirdre said through tight lips.
       "You were not here yesterday," Patience explained. "As acting hostess I felt it necessary to open the note to be informed. For Lord Digby's sake."
       "But they are coming?" Eleanor could not help asking.
       "Yes, yes," Aunt Patience said. "They will arrive late tomorrow afternoon with their brother, Mr. Edward Knight. And I've already sent a note to the vicar saying we need him and the rector to fill out the table tonight."
       Deirdre stiffened. "You seem to have coped with everything… in my absence. Need I remind you I am now here?"
       "Then you can handle the latest problem. Lord Shermont has asked for a tray in his room."
       "I hope he's not ill," Deirdre said.
       "We should offer to nurse him," Mina suggested hopefully.
       Aunt Patience shot her a quelling look. "Not necessary. His valet mentioned a headache as the reason. Rude man. He has absolutely no consideration for the inconvenience he's causing me… I mean you, Deirdre."
       "I'm sure the valet did not mean to be inconsiderate."
       "Not him. Shermont."
       "But you said—"
       "Never mind. What are you going to do about the uneven numbers? We don't know any more presentable gentlemen who can fill in at this short notice."
       "I'll gladly take a tray in my room," Eleanor volunteered. She hadn't completely adjusted to the change in time zones, and jet lag was catching up with her. "I'm still rather tired after my journey."
       "And have everyone speculate on the absence of two guests?" Aunt Patience appeared horrified. "Especially after his marked attentions to you? Absolutely not."
       "Everything will be fine," Deirdre said, remaining calm in the face of