A Wedding In Springtime(6)
“Your aunt is correct, I fear. I shall not be accused of misleading you in the matter.”
“Your honesty is commendable. I also expect you would not wish an association with me.”
“You intrigue me. Whyever not?”
“I believe I am now considered a social leper. I only say so to warn you against forming an unwise acquaintance.”
Grant stifled a laugh. No woman had ever warned him against her. “Surely it cannot be as bad as all that.”
“Oh, but it is. At least, according to my aunt, nothing could be worse. I am considering getting a bell to ring and shouting ‘unclean, unclean’ whenever I enter a room so as not to catch unsuspecting persons in my web of social ruin.”
At this pronouncement, Grant laughed heartily, causing Lady Bremerton to give them a sharp look before returning to her engaging gothic novel. “You do make me laugh,” he whispered when he had better control of himself.
“Yes, I have a great enjoyment of laughing, as well you know. Though perhaps my humor can be ill-timed when provoked!” Genie whispered in return, her eyebrows frowned into a little pucker Grant found adorable.
“Ah, yes, again let me convey my sincere apologies for my role in your…”
“Ruin?” suggested Genie.
“In the unfortunate incident. I was having difficulty restraining myself.”
“So I noticed, but unfortunately, no one noticed it was you who laughed first.” Miss Talbot crossed her arms in front of her.
Despite her good humor, Grant could tell he had unwittingly caused her pain and a rarely used sense of chivalry surged within him. She was correct, he had laughed first, which he did not consider his fault in the least; however he was conscious that the wink might be considered poor form.
“Surely it is not as bad as all that. It is a moment’s on-dit. In a few days, the gossip columns will be on to a new topic and you will be all forgot.”
“You think it will be in the papers?” Genie’s eyebrows raised, her eyes a terrifying deep blue.
The news of Miss Talbot’s disastrous presentation would no doubt be splashed across the morning papers, a detail Miss Talbot did not need to know. “I… that is to say…” Grant wished he was a more convincing liar and had an uncharacteristic desire to win her good opinion.
Miss Talbot sighed and looked away. “Then you had best stay away lest you become tainted by association.”
“I believe my reputation can withstand a short tête-à-tête. I am glad to have found you are not a missish little thing.”
“If I were missish, I would not be in this trouble.”
“But then you would not have had the pleasure of making my acquaintance, since I avoid debutantes as a general rule,” confessed Grant.
“Are you one of those men who think nothing of riding neck-or-nothing to win some ill-conceived bet, but tremble at the thought of a debutante ball?”
“William Grant, Esquire, at your service, Miss Talbot.”
“At least you can have no fear of a debutante ball in my honor. It is all to be canceled now according to my aunt, for who would come? I fear I shall be packed back to the farm with all due haste. I am disappointed I could not better represent my family. We have not been close, and I had not expected my aunt to sponsor my debut into society.”
“She brings you out because you are a diamond of the first water, and she wishes you to add to her own social standing by sponsoring the most beautiful debutante of the season.”
“You are funning with me.”
“Indeed, I am in earnest.”
Miss Talbot gave him a discerning gaze, so open and blunt he was inclined to squirm like an errant schoolboy. “I do not believe you are unfamiliar with giving a lady a compliment. Your sweet words flow from well-practiced lips.”
“My word! I would not think a person so young as yourself to be so jaded!”
“I have four brothers, sir. I fear I was cured of naive notions regarding men at an early age.”
“Ah, with you, I can get away with nothing. And here I was trying to make a good impression. I’m a shocking rake; it’s true. Despite this, I can say with complete honesty that though I have seen many a pretty girl, you are the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld.”
Grant had on more than one occasion flattered without thought, but as he spoke, he realized this time his words were true. In response, he had the pleasure of seeing Miss Talbot’s cheeks grow pink at last.