remainder of the service in spite of the amused attention she could feel focused on her from all directions. Kneeling, rising, sitting, making responses, she followed Miss Snypish’s lead fastidiously, an unreadable expression fixed firmly on her face. Beneath this inscrutable exterior, however, her concentration was divided between two pressing problems: first, how to exit the church without having to face the curiosity of the congregation, and second, how to retrieve her prayer book from Lord Waverly without drawing the attention of Miss Snypish.
It was a very good thing for Selinda ’s already battered nerves that she did not possess her sister’s psychic abilities, for her other difficulties would have been eclipsed by the knowledge that, immediately behind her Lord Waverly was now occupied in the perusal of the little novel secreted within the innocent covers of her prayer book. The more his Lordship read of fair Rosamonde’s adventures, the more clearly he recalled Selinda’s earlier concentration on the book’s contents, and the more light-hearted he became. By the end of the first chapter, Waverly was well on the way to falling quite seriously in love with Selinda. By the middle of the second, he had good-naturedly done so. Now, he told himself optimistically, all there was to do was engage the heart of the lady, marry her, and set about refurbishing the nursery. At least, if there were any justice in the universe, it ought to be that simple. Lord Waverly frowned as he remembered Lady Selinda’s odd circumstances. He would have to conduct some sort of investigation first.
When the service finally ended, Miss Snypish turned to Selinda and hissed, “On your knees, girl. We shall stay here until the crowd has dispersed. I have no desire to be goggled at on your account.”
Selinda gratefully sank onto the kneeler beside her companion, bowed her head, and offered a very thankful prayer indeed, not only for Miss Snypish ’s decision, but for the privacy afforded by the deep brim of her bonnet. The congregation did take their time leaving, and many stood for an inordinate amount of time chatting with the vicar, but when it became clear that the show was over for the day, they reluctantly turned toward their homes. When the church was finally empty and silent, the pair rose and, turning, were quite surprised to see Lord Waverly, still seated with elegant nonchalance in the pew behind them. He stood immediately and smiled.
“ Would you do me the honor of accepting my escort, ladies?” he asked civilly. Selinda’s heart fluttered at the sight of him, in spite of the ruinous results her earlier meditations on him had occasioned. Moreover, she heaved an inward sigh of relief. Perhaps retrieving her wayward prayer book would not prove so difficult after all. This relief was to be short-lived, however, for Selinda was astounded to see Miss Snypish twist her face into a girlish simper and quite forwardly attach herself to Lord Waverly’s extended arm. How in heaven’s name would she get her troublesome book back now, she wondered?
Oblivious to the splendid fall day, Selinda ’s thoughts and emotions ranged between chagrin and confusion, irritation and dismay; these became even further disarranged as mysterious snatches of the conversation between Miss Snypish and Lord Waverly drifted back.
“ I feel most fortunate, my dear Miss Snypish, to have this opportunity for some private words with you,” Waverly began. “I own, this had been my aim today, but I had no reason to hope I might accomplish it.”
Miss Snypish ’s withered heart began to beat erratically. She had always dreamed that the very obvious good sense which shone from her face would someday attract a man in need of that sterling quality, but she had begun of late to lose hope. She was now chagrined to find that her usually quick tongue seemed to have deserted her, for she could think of nothing whatsoever to say. Fortunately, Waverly took her
It was a very good thing for Selinda ’s already battered nerves that she did not possess her sister’s psychic abilities, for her other difficulties would have been eclipsed by the knowledge that, immediately behind her Lord Waverly was now occupied in the perusal of the little novel secreted within the innocent covers of her prayer book. The more his Lordship read of fair Rosamonde’s adventures, the more clearly he recalled Selinda’s earlier concentration on the book’s contents, and the more light-hearted he became. By the end of the first chapter, Waverly was well on the way to falling quite seriously in love with Selinda. By the middle of the second, he had good-naturedly done so. Now, he told himself optimistically, all there was to do was engage the heart of the lady, marry her, and set about refurbishing the nursery. At least, if there were any justice in the universe, it ought to be that simple. Lord Waverly frowned as he remembered Lady Selinda’s odd circumstances. He would have to conduct some sort of investigation first.
When the service finally ended, Miss Snypish turned to Selinda and hissed, “On your knees, girl. We shall stay here until the crowd has dispersed. I have no desire to be goggled at on your account.”
Selinda gratefully sank onto the kneeler beside her companion, bowed her head, and offered a very thankful prayer indeed, not only for Miss Snypish ’s decision, but for the privacy afforded by the deep brim of her bonnet. The congregation did take their time leaving, and many stood for an inordinate amount of time chatting with the vicar, but when it became clear that the show was over for the day, they reluctantly turned toward their homes. When the church was finally empty and silent, the pair rose and, turning, were quite surprised to see Lord Waverly, still seated with elegant nonchalance in the pew behind them. He stood immediately and smiled.
“ Would you do me the honor of accepting my escort, ladies?” he asked civilly. Selinda’s heart fluttered at the sight of him, in spite of the ruinous results her earlier meditations on him had occasioned. Moreover, she heaved an inward sigh of relief. Perhaps retrieving her wayward prayer book would not prove so difficult after all. This relief was to be short-lived, however, for Selinda was astounded to see Miss Snypish twist her face into a girlish simper and quite forwardly attach herself to Lord Waverly’s extended arm. How in heaven’s name would she get her troublesome book back now, she wondered?
Oblivious to the splendid fall day, Selinda ’s thoughts and emotions ranged between chagrin and confusion, irritation and dismay; these became even further disarranged as mysterious snatches of the conversation between Miss Snypish and Lord Waverly drifted back.
“ I feel most fortunate, my dear Miss Snypish, to have this opportunity for some private words with you,” Waverly began. “I own, this had been my aim today, but I had no reason to hope I might accomplish it.”
Miss Snypish ’s withered heart began to beat erratically. She had always dreamed that the very obvious good sense which shone from her face would someday attract a man in need of that sterling quality, but she had begun of late to lose hope. She was now chagrined to find that her usually quick tongue seemed to have deserted her, for she could think of nothing whatsoever to say. Fortunately, Waverly took her
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