The Luck of the Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #3)(16)
“Lord and Lady Pembrooke, may I introduce Miss March Lawson, Miss Faith Lawson, and Mr. Victor Hart.” Lord McCalpin’s voice was matter-of-fact.
March turned and greeted the couple.
“It’s a pleasure to meet one of McCalpin’s elusive friends,” Lady Pembrooke said.
March lost the ability to speak for a moment. No one could ever mistake her as his friend. “My lady, I’ve never met Lord McCalpin before today.”
“Fortune smiles on all of us then.” Lady Pembrooke didn’t hide the merriment from her eyes. “Do you live in London?”
“Miss Lawson is here on a business matter. She resides in Leyton. Her younger brother is the young viscount, Lord Lawson.” McCalpin stealthy sidled next to March and addressed Lord and Lady Pembrooke. “Will you wait for me in my study? I’ll only be a moment.”
With her husband by her side, Lady Pembrooke ignored the marquess and stood closer to March. “I have friends in Leyton. Mr. Roger Jordon and his niece Miss Lucy Porter? Do you know them?”
March nodded. “Mr. Jordon is kindly teaching my brother chess.”
A dazzling smile lit Lady Pembrooke’s face. “I visit them quite often. The next time I’m in town, perhaps you’d join us for tea. You must bring Miss Faith also.”
“Thank you, my lady. We’d be delighted,” she answered.
Lord William joined them and held out his hands. “There’s my namesake. The rascal is growing more handsome every day.” It became apparent he had little experience with babies as he took the infant in a fumbling embrace.
Without thinking, March rushed forward and placed her hand under the baby’s head. “You must cradle him close.” She kept her voice soft as the infant was sleeping. “He doesn’t have the strength yet to support his own head.”
The group turned and stared at her as if she’d grown horns on her head. She swallowed, hoping to stave off another round of mortifying flushes. “I … I apologize for my forwardness.”
“No need to apologize, Miss Lawson.” Lady Pembrooke shook her head. “Liam does need the support. I was about to take him from William’s clumsy hands.”
“You wound me, cousin.” Lord William cradled the baby close to his body and hummed something in a deep tenor.
“Have you had much experience with infants, Miss Lawson?” McCalpin peered intently at her.
“I’ve been responsible for my brother since he was one,” she whispered, always mindful of a sleeping infant. She glanced at Lady Pembrooke. “I won’t keep you any longer, my lady. Good day, Lord Pembrooke.”
The Marquess of McCalpin turned toward her, but she didn’t bother to extend her hand or wait for a good-bye greeting. She nodded at Faith, and the trio exited the hall for the entry.
The faster she could leave, the less chance she’d say something she’d regret. How in the world had she ever looked upon him as Michelangelo’s David?
He was more like the devil with donkey ears.
*
McCalpin escorted the Lawson sisters and Mr. Hart to the front door. March refused to look in his direction as she took her leave while Miss Faith just nodded her farewell.
As he watched the trio make their way to the street, McCalpin’s gaze narrowed on March’s back. When he’d asked her about the forgery, her humiliation had caused her cheeks to darken to a deep pink. He’d immediately recognized her as a kindred spirit, since he understood her embarrassment.
He experienced paralyzing shame every time he believed someone would uncover his utter stupidity when it came to numbers. Always on the verge, he felt it every waking hour—always speculating if today would be his downfall, the day he failed in his duty.
McCalpin exhaled a painful sigh. If he’d been more diligent, perhaps he’d have caught her forgeries immediately and saved them all the extra effort and heartache. Now, he had to put more work on William’s shoulders with the Lawson family affairs.
Miss Lawson’s dismissal without a word made him grin. The young woman was obviously uncomfortable around him. However, no one would ever describe her as missish with the intent to get her way through flattery. Tall with beautiful dark brown hair and matching coppery brown eyes that flashed like molten gold when challenged, she would do very well in society. Men would no doubt flock around her.
He chuckled at her claim she could shear a sheep. He’d pay money to behold such a sight. More importantly, her audacity to come into his house and demand money intrigued him. For some absurd reason, he wanted to find out more about the woman. Unlike others, she didn’t seem impressed with him or his title, a refreshing rare event these days.
Buxton silently stood beside him. He lifted his eyebrows and watched the guests leave. “My lord, I had the kitchen prepare one of my famous tea services, much like the one you and Lord William can never finish. Your guests ate every bite. Very unusual for ladies to indulge so freely.”
“Perhaps the hour-long trip from Leyton gave them a ravenous hunger,” McCalpin answered.
Buxton clasped his hands in front of him and continued his watch as the trio climbed into a pony cart. “Indeed. I’d hate to think they hadn’t had a proper meal before arriving.”
Chapter Four
After the Pembroke family left, McCalpin and his brother returned to work. Several hours later, they’d finished a review of the estates’ monthly budgets, and McCalpin had approved the plans for a renovation of the gardens at McCalpin Manor.