Page 63 of Holly & Folly

She stepped beside Nell and smiled sympathetically. “How is your hand?”

“Better than it looks,” she said, showing a glove that bulged where the bandage was.

“Not too painful, I hope?”

“No,” Nell lied. “You are kind to ask.”

“Lord Dalmeer was quite concerned,” she said, watching Nell’s reaction. “I think he would have preferred to escort you inside himself.”

Nell ignored the skipping of her heart as they stepped into the drawing room. “I was well cared for, as the doctor had been called already.”

Miss Orston nodded, then slowed. “May I ask you something, Miss Prescott?”

Nell’s stomach clenched. “Of course.”

Miss Orston gave her a grateful look. “I hope you will not think me impertinent if I ask whether you and Lord Dalmeer share an…understanding?”

Nell stiffened. “What? No, of course not.”

Miss Orston’s gaze was so clear and direct, it was all Nell could do not to squirm under it.

“Forgive my frankness. I thought perhaps there was something…”

“No, no,” Nell said quickly, forcing a laugh. “We are friends. Nothing more.”

Miss Orston smiled. “I cannot pretend I am not happy to hear it. We are but newly acquainted, but I find him…” Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Magnetic?

Handsome?

Charming?

Amusing?

Intelligent?

Thoughtful?

Nell could have supplied her with any number of words.

“Intriguing,” Miss Orston finally said. “He possesses an ease of manners I have not often found amongst gentlemen.”

Nell thought she might choke on envy. “He is something out of the ordinary.”

Miss Orston’s eyes grew focused again. “But not to your liking?”

Nell grimaced. “I fear my liking has not proven something to be relied upon. I have no thought of courtship or marriage at present. That is all.” She smiled at Miss Orston, though her chest ached. “I wish you every success.”

Miss Orston slipped her arm through Nell’s. “There are two open seats on that chaise. Come.”

Nell allowed herself to be shepherded there and forced herself to converse with Miss Orston for the next fifteen minutes. Blessedly, the topic was not the earl, and Nell was able to engage without too much difficulty. More than ever, though, she felt the need to keep her eyes away from Lord Dalmeer for fear Miss Orston might see her looking at him and divine the truth of her feelings.

It was a very long night indeed.

She covered a yawn as she reached her bedchamber, eager for the oblivion of sleep. She turned the knob, but it resisted.

It was locked.