Page 12 of A Rogue to Reform

It was her turn to frown. “To annoy me. He kissed my nose.”

“Much too personal. That kind of display in the middle of the street where anyone could see.”

“Father, why are you home?” Felicity asked, removing her shawl and placing it along with her reticule on a side table. “It is rather early.”

“Do not change the subject, young lady.”

Her mother appeared from the direction of the kitchen. “What happened? Hamish, why are you frowning at Felicity?”

“She allowed that scoundrel, Evan Macleod, to kiss her in front of the house. Outside…” he continued. “In the middle of the day.”

“And in the middle of the street,” Felicity added. “Apparently, Da thinks he is interested in me.”

Her mother gave her a pointed look. “Missus Middleton told me that she thought to have seen you kiss Evan at the gala the other night. What exactly is going on, dear? You are aware of Evan’s reputation.”

She let out a sigh. “Very well. I did kiss Evan at the gala. But that was because that smelly Harvey Lewiston was following me.”

There was a silent beat as her parents obviously scrambled with what to say.

It was her mother who spoke first. “That is not a way to act when out in public. I will speak to Evan myself and ensure he is aware you have no intention of any—”

“Courtship. You may never see him again,” her father finished.

Felicity sighed. “I assure you, Da. Evan Macleod has no delusions of any kind of courtship between us.”

Thankfully, her parents went to the other room to have tea and discuss whatever it was that had her father there during that time. They pointedly excluded her from accompanying them, which suited her fine as she wasn’t sure when someone would show up for the painting.

“Miss Hannah is here to see you,” the butler announced as her friend hurried in.

“Mother is meeting friends for tea, so I decided it was the perfect time to see the painting before it goes to the shop,” Hannah said.

Felicity motioned for her friend to join her. “It is most distressing. Father is here and he can see out the window from the study. Surely, he will notice the carriage pulling up from the antiquities shop. Hopefully, he is too distracted with whatever he and Mother are discussing.”

“Oh goodness,” Hannah exclaimed. “Do you think he will mind you getting rid of it?”

“Doubtful. However, he is in a sour mood already.”

She went on to explain to Hannah about Evan and the kiss. Despite the situation, both of them giggled while she talked.

Just then the butler went past the door, and they both held their breath and stared toward the doorway. It was but a few moments later that the most exasperating person entered without being announced.

“I am sorry to stop by without prior invitation, but I felt a need to see where the painting was hung.” Harvey Lewiston’s sharp gaze moved past them to where the item in question remained on the floor leaning against the wall.

“Oh,” Felicity exclaimed. “We have not had the opportunity to hang it yet. It is hard to find the perfect spot.” She nudged Hannah’s foot with hers, hoping her friend could come up with something to say to send the man away.

“It may rain,” Hannah said feebly, looking out the window. “If you have to be anywhere, you should hurry, Mister Lewiston.”

Instead, he walked further into the room and peered out the window to a perfectly clear sky. “I am not bothered by a light drizzle.”

The butler walked by again. He looked a bit haggard at this point. Moments later, he came to the doorway. “There is man here to pick up a painting. He asked for you, Miss Felicity.”

“Oh.” Felicity’s stomach clenched. What horrible timing for Lewiston to have come by. She scrambled with what to do and how to handle it. When Gerard gave her a questioning look, her mouth opened. “Me?” The last thing she needed was for her mind to freeze, and the only instinct that seemed present was to run away and hide in her bed. Instead, she swallowed. “I-I am not…” She stopped speaking and lifted her gaze to Gerard, hoping he received the message to help her out of the situation.

“Should I send him away?” Gerard asked, looking straight at the wrapped portrait. “Or give them that?” He pointed to it.

“No!” she all but yelled. “Show him in.”

A man wearing bright red suspenders and a hat that looked much too small for his head with an oversized handkerchief drooping from his front pocket appeared next and went straight for the still wrapped portrait.