Page 51 of Impetuous
She came bustling into the room, a vision in a cherry-and-white striped dress of polished cotton.
“Miss Moulton.” Georgette returned Joanna’s greeting with something less than pleasure.
However, Joanna seemed not to notice as she sat down on the other side of Georgette. “I am so looking forward to visiting with you again today.”
“I cannot. I, uh…my governess is, I mean, I have to spend the day with my governess.”
“I am sure that this once you could be excused from your studies,” Aunt Ardis said with heavy joviality as she followed her daughter into the room. “After all, it isn’t every day that you have visitors.”
“Philip is quite strict about my studies,” Georgette countered. “I do not think he would be pleased to find that I had ignored them.”
“Oh, well, of course, if that is what Philip wants…” Unconsciously Joanna’s shoulders relaxed.
“In fact, I had better go up there now.” Georgette jumped from her seat, leaving the rest of her eggs, and Olivia followed suit.
“But where is Olivia going?” Aunt Ardis asked.
“I believe Miss Neville’s governess has kindly offered to allow Olivia to participate in, um, their studies, as well,” Cassandra replied.
“And Olivia wants to?” Joanna asked, obviously amazed at the idea of voluntarily setting out to learn something.
“Mmm.”
“I always said that your father raised his children in an odd way.” Aunt Ardis dismissed the subject.
“Where is Sir Philip?” Joanna asked eagerly. “Has he come down to breakfast yet?”
“I am sure he will arrive soon, now that you are here,” her mother told her smugly. “I do think that Sir Philip is showing a decided interest in you, my dear.”
It was all Cassandra could do not to roll her eyes at her aunt’s self-deception. The woman had had to twist Sir Philip’s arm even to get Joanna invited to Haverly House, and now she saw in that some interest on Sir Philip’s part?
She had to endure her aunt’s and cousin’s company for the rest of the morning. Her misery was alleviated only slightly by the fact that Lady Violet joined them later in the sitting room. Sir Philip’s mother was a nice woman, but so easygoing that she did nothing to stem Joanna’s almost nonstop dialogue on the beauties of Haverly House, interspersed with lengthy descriptions of her own wardrobe. Violet also placidly agreed when Joanna suggested an outing, saying that she would arrange a picnic beside Linning Broad for the following afternoon.
“The children will quite enjoy it,” Violet said, smiling.
“You mean Crispin and Hart?” Joanna asked, and it was all Cassandra could do not to laugh at her fallen expression.
“Yes, and Olivia and Georgette.”
“Well, of course, Georgette.” Joanna’s smile was turned on again. “I quite delight in dear Georgette. But I do not think of her as a child.”
“No? She is only sixteen.” Violet sighed. “But you are right. I fear she is growing up too fast. In only two more years it will be time for her debut.” She sighed again. “I do so hate having to attend the season. I much prefer my quiet life here in Norfolk.”
“That’s quite understandable,” Cassandra murmured. “This is such a lovely place.”
“Perhaps by that time your son will have married, and his wife can take care of Georgette’s season,” Joanna suggested with a coy smile.
“Do you think so?” Violet looked faintly surprised. She glanced toward Cassandra, as if for confirmation.
“I would not be at all surprised,” Joanna continued, dimpling and trying to conjure up a blush in her cheeks.
Her efforts were wasted, for Lady Neville was not looking at her but at Cassandra. Cassandra smiled back at her weakly. She could hardly say bluntly right in front of Joanna that she thought Sir Philip had as much interest in Joanna as he did in yesterday’s fish.
Finally she said lamely, “I don’t know. Sir Philip seems a dedicated bachelor.”
“All men are until they meet the right woman,” Joanna replied archly.
“Indeed. You know, I believe that I shall send an invitation to Miss Yorke to join us tomorrow,” Violet said. “Such a sweet young woman, and she hasn’t much entertainment in her life, I’m afraid.”
