Free Felicia by Leonora Blythe Page B

sensational. So without waiting for a reply, she breathed, “Please say we are to ride.”
    Lord Umber felt his mood softening slightly. After the confused meeting he had just had with Felicia, Lady Barbara’s artless chatter was strangely soothing.
    “I would be delighted to ride with you, Lady Barbara. I shall, of course, provide a carriage for those who are interested in maintaining a more leisurely pace. If you will excuse me, I will inform the others of the arrangements.”
    He was gone before she could reply, and the only witness to the complacent look on her face was the stern portrait of Lord Umber’s father.
    *
    The picnic was a huge success. The mild weather held, and the few clouds that gathered during the morning posed no real threat to the party. Lord Umber had thoughtfully sent his groom and two servants ahead to the spot he had chosen for luncheon, so by the time all his guests arrived, the food had been spread out on pure white linen clothes on the grass.
    Felicia’s absence went unnoticed by everyone except David Burton, and when he inquired mildly of Lord Umber where she was, Lord Umber snapped, “I do not know. She made mother the excuse.” He had been looking forward to her presence at the picnic, and his disappointment was strong when she had made a feeble excuse about being unable to attend.
    Lady Barbara overheard the remark and nodded her head contentedly. His tone certainly indicated that he had no interest in his distant relation, even though Cousin Milly had warned her that there was always a danger with one so serene and pretty as Felicia.
    Her mood of contentment lasted until after dinner that evening. Lord Umber had singled her out all day, making it perfectly clear to the entire company that he found her attractive and charming. His caustic comments made her laugh, and her ability to mimic the most pretentious people of their acquaintance obviously amused him. A becoming blush heightened her lovely features as she acknowledged the envious looks Cousin Milly and a few other ladies threw in her direction.
    However, when Lady Louisa suggested a musical interlude, it was Felicia who was asked to play the piano. Within minutes of Felicia’s playing, it was perfectly clear that she was talented. And, when she finished, the entire company broke into spontaneous applause.
    It angered Lady Barbara that she was no longer the center of attention, and she snapped her fan closed impatiently.
    “Isn’t she marvellous?” Cousin Milly breathed in her ear. “I do not think I have ever heard a better interpretation of Chopin.”
    “You have never heard me play,” Lady Barbara responded sharply, oblivious to the fact that Lord Umber was standing directly behind her.
    “Unworthy, Lady Barbara,” he murmured good-naturedly, before he moved away.
    “But the truth,” she retorted unabashed.
    “Barbara!” Cousin Milly exclaimed. “How could you? ’Tis most unseemly to express such emotion.”
    The unexpected rebuke from her cousin caused Lady Barbara to frown, but she acknowledged the truth of the words. “You are right as usual, Milly. I will endeavor to mind my tongue in the future.” She glanced across at Lord Umber, who seemed to be deep in conversation with Lord Rowbotham, and the brittle smile faded from her face.
    Felicia refused all pleas for an encore, for she was acutely conscious of the fury emanating from Lady Barbara. She wondered if Lord Umber had anything to do with it. As she glanced over to him, she was surprised to see that he was already looking in her direction. She dropped her eyes to the floor in confusion and rose quickly from the piano stool. Suddenly aware of his presence, she wished that she had escaped to the protective side of Lady Louisa earlier. She had managed to avoid him all day, since their confrontation in the rose garden, but now, here he was, bearing down on her with a rakish grin on his handsome face.
    “You have been remarkably well taught, Miss