A Lady Never Tells(25)

It was a relief when the tea was finished and the earl rang for a servant, remarking that he was sure the young ladies would like to be shown to their rooms to rest before dinner. He turned and bowed to the girls, said he would see them at supper, then strode off down the hallway.

“I should take my leave,” Sir Royce added, rising.

Mary turned to him, saying, “But you will be here for supper, will you not?”

“Oh yes.” He reached out and took her hand, bowing over it. When he raised his head, he stood holding her hand for a moment longer as he smiled down into her face. “Nothing could keep me away this evening.”

His hand was warm against hers; she was very aware of the texture of his skin, and her own flesh tingled in response. She could not seem to pull her gaze from his. At last he released her hand, and it was as if his movement released her from her own paralysis. She took a quick step backward, turning her face away from his. She knew a flush was rising in her cheeks but did her best to ignore it. When was she going to stop reacting this way to this man? Surely she would grow accustomed to his presence at some point. The memory of his kiss last night would fade. She would begin to view him as she did other men.

Or would she?

Mary watched Royce as he bade good-bye to her sisters, then turned and walked toward the front door. A poke in the side from Camellia’s elbow made her jump.

“What did you do that for?” She frowned at the other girl.

Camellia pointed toward the maid who stood waiting just inside the doorway. “She’s trying to take us to our rooms, but you are too busy mooning about over Sir Royce.”

“I was doing no such thing,” Mary whispered fiercely as she fell in beside Camellia, following their other sisters out of the room.

Camellia rolled her eyes. “I’m not blind, you know. Whenever he’s around, you look at him.”

Mary blushed to think that she had been so obvious. “Of course I look at him. He’s—he’s different.”

“I didn’t notice you staring at the earl.”

“Don’t smirk. It’s unbecoming.”

Camellia chuckled and leaned in closer, linking her arm through Mary’s. In a low voice, she went on, “It’s all right. He’s terribly handsome. Even I noticed that, and you know I am not the sort to get all dreamy over men.”

The maid led them up the stairs, and they emerged into a wide hallway of highly polished dark wood. A tall window facing the street let in a stream of sunlight to brighten the corridor, which was further illuminated by sconces along the walls. To the left a long wall was hung with paintings, its length broken now and then by a bench or a narrow table displaying a vase of flowers. The maid went to the first doorway, opening it to reveal a large bedchamber.

“I’m afraid there’s only two chambers made up, miss,” she said, curtseying. “There’s others, if you want us to make them up too, but they’re not as nice as these.”#p#分页标题#e#

“I am sure these will be fine,” Mary responded faintly, looking around the enormous room.

As Lily and Camellia followed the maid to the next room, Mary slowly turned to take in her surroundings. It was almost as large as the drawing room downstairs. The room was papered in a white and blue pattern, and long drapes on the two sets of windows matched the blue of the wallpaper, as did the heavy draperies of the four-poster bed. The bed was massive, its mattress luxuriously thick, and there was a small step placed beside it to help one climb in. At the far end of the room was a fireplace, and in front of it stood a low round table and two wingback chairs. There was also, Mary noted, a wardrobe, a dresser, and a vanity, as well as a long wooden chest at the foot of the bed. What was more amazing than the amount and size of the furniture, however, was that the room was so large that it did not seem crowded.

Mary turned to Rose and saw the same expression mirrored on her face.

“I never dreamed it would be like this!” Rose exclaimed in a hushed voice.

“Nor I.” Mary shook her head.

“It’s no wonder Sir Royce and the earl were suspicious of our motives. There must be any number of people who would love to live here. Do you really think he is going to let us stay here?” She looked a trifle scared at the idea.

“I don’t know. He seemed to have believed us.”

At that moment, Lily and Camellia came flying into the room, their faces flushed. “You should see our room!”

“It’s almost as big as the strange Chinese room downstairs!”

“I know.” Mary waved a hand around at her own room.