A Wallflower Christmas (Wallflowers #5)(24)

CHAPTER 8

It was Hannah’s particular torture to have been cast as chaperone, and therefore be forced to sit beside Natalie during the musical soiree that evening, while Rafe Bowman took Natalie’s other side. The entwined harmonies of two sopranos, a baritone, and a tenor were accompanied by piano, flute, and violins. Many of the older children had been allowed to sit in rows at the back of the room. Dressed in their best clothes, the children sat straight and did their best not to fidget, whisper, or wiggle.

Hannah thought wryly that the children were behaving far better than their parents. There was a great deal of gossiping going on among the adults, especially in the lulls between each musical presentation.

She observed that Rafe Bowman was treating Natalie with impeccable courtesy. They seemed charmed by each other. They discussed the differences between New York and London, discovered they had similar tastes in books and music, and they both passionately loved riding. Bowman’s manner with Natalie was so engaging that if Hannah had never encountered him before, she would have said he was the perfect gentleman.

But she knew better.

And Hannah perceived that she was one of many in the room who took an interest in the interactions between Bowman and Natalie. There were the Blandfords, of course, and the Bowman parents, and even Lord Westcliff occasionally glanced at the pair with subtle speculation, a slight smile on his lips. But the person who paid the most attention was Lord Travers, his expression stoic and his blue eyes troubled. It made Hannah’s heart ache a little to realize that here was a man who cared very much about Natalie, and with very little encouragement would love her passionately. And yet all indications pointed to the fact that she would probably choose Bowman instead.

Natalie, you’re not nearly as wise as you think you are, she thought wistfully. Take the man who would make sacrifices for you, who would love you for who you are and not for what he would gain by marrying you.

The worst part of Hannah’s evening came after the entertainment had concluded, when the large crowd was dispersing and various groups were arranging to meet in one location or another. Natalie pulled Hannah to the side, her blue eyes gleaming with excitement. “In a few minutes, I’m going to sneak away with Mr. Bowman,” she whispered. “We’re going to meet privately on the lower terrace. So make yourself scarce, and if anyone asks where I am, give them some excuse and”

“No,” Hannah said softly, her eyes turning round. “If you’re seen with him, it will cause a scandal.”

Natalie laughed. “What does it matter? I’m probably going to marry him anyway.”

Hannah gave a stubborn shake of her head. Her experiences with Bowman had left no doubt in her mind that he would take full advantage of Natalie. And it would be Hannah’s fault for allowing it to happen. “You may meet him on the lower terrace, but I’m going with you.”

Natalie’s grin faded. “Now you’ve decided to be a vigilant chaperone? No. I’m putting my foot down, Hannah. I’ve always been kind to you, and you know you’re in my debt. So go off somewhere and do not make a fuss.”

“I’m going to protect you from him,” Hannah said grimly. “Because if Mr. Bowman compromises you, you will no longer have any choice. You’ll have to marry him.”

“Well, I’m certainly not going to consider a betrothal without finding out how he kisses.” Natalie’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t cross me, Hannah. Leave us alone.”

But Hannah persevered. Eventually she found herself standing unhappily at the side of the lower terrace while Natalie and Rafe Bowman conversed. Bowman seemed unperturbed by Hannah’s presence. But Natalie was furious, her voice lightly caustic as she observed aloud that “One can never talk about anything interesting when a chaperone is present,” or “Some people can never be gotten rid of.”

Having never been the focus of such brattiness from Natalie before, Hannah was bewildered and hurt. If Hannah was in Natalie’s debt because the girl had always been kind to her, the reverse was also true: Hannah could have made Natalie’s life far less pleasant as well.

“Don’t you find it irksome, Mr. Bowman,” Natalie said pointedly, “when people insist on going where they’re not wanted?”

Hannah stiffened. Enough was enough. Although she had been charged with the responsibility of looking after Natalie and chaperoning her, she was not going to allow herself to be subjected to abuse.

Before Bowman could say anything, Hannah spoke coolly. “I will leave you with the privacy you so clearly desire, Natalie. I have no doubt Mr. Bowman will make the most of it. Good night.”

She left the lower terrace, flushed with outrage and chagrin. Since she could not join any of the gatherings upstairs without raising questions concerning Natalie’s whereabouts, her only options were to go to bed, or find some place to sit alone. But she was not in the least sleepy, not with the anger simmering in her veins. Perhaps she could find a book to keep her occupied.

She went to the library, peeking discreetly around the door-jamb to see who might be inside. A group of children had gathered in there, most of them sitting on the floor while an elderly bewhiskered man sat in an upholstered chair. He held a small gold-stamped book in his hands, squinting at it through a pair of spectacles.

“Read it, Grandfather,” cried one child, while another entreated, “Do go on! You can’t leave us there.”