“Raybourne, are you enjoying yourself?” the older man asked.
Hugh turned with a smile. “Indeed, sir. The meal was delicious and the conversation lively.”
“Excellent. We’ll be playing billiards and a few hands of cards shortly if you have a mind to join us.”
“I’d be pleased to do so.” Hugh hid a satisfied smile as best he could. Gaining the man’s approval was nearly as important as gaining his daughter’s.
Yet as Mr. Waverly stepped away and Hugh joined his daughter and Barnes to converse, his gaze followed Miss Gray. She moved slowly about the room, speaking with the few people who seemed ill at ease.
She bent low to place a hand on Mrs. Robard’s arm where the elderly woman sat on the settee with a grim expression and soon had the woman chuckling. Then she moved on to a young man Hugh had yet to meet but who continually tugged at his cravat as if it were too tight. The look of gratitude on the man’s face was nearly comical. She even took the time to introduce a young lady with a plump form and a friendly smile to the man and stayed to converse with the two of them for several minutes before moving on. Based on the way the pair continued to speak, Miss Gray had found a common interest for them to share.
“Isn’t that right, Mr. Raybourne?” Miss Waverly’s question took him by surprise.
“My apologies. I was woolgathering.”
She frowned as she glanced over to see who he’d been watching. Luckily, Miss Gray had moved on to visit with someone else and no longer stood in his line of vision.
“I suggested we wait until mid-day before we go skating with the hope the temperature warms.”
“A wise idea,” he agreed. “Do you enjoy skating?”
Her pleased smile suggested she appreciated his interest. “I adore it. I hope you do as well?”
“I haven’t had the pleasure in several years, but I skated frequently in my youth.”
“What of you, Mr. Barnes?”
The conversation continued, but Miss Waverly didn’t bother to include Miss Barnes. The other lady appeared distressed based on her frown.
Did Miss Waverly truly not realize she’d left out the woman or did she not care? He didn’t like to think she was purposely rude.
“Lucy?” Miss Waverly called out to her cousin who was passing by. “Do you remember what fun we used to have on the ice?”
“Such fun.” Miss Gray smiled as she took in each member of the conversation, her gaze holding on Miss Barnes. “What of you, Miss Barnes? Do you skate?”
“I do, though I might need a partner for the first round or two on the ice. It’s been some time since I’ve done so.”
Hugh smiled at Miss Gray, amazed at how quickly she smoothed Miss Barnes’s ruffled feathers. Her thoughtfulness warmed him though he couldn’t say why as that was a trait he rarely considered. He gave himself a mental shake. Why was he allowing a pair of lovely brown eyes and kindness to shift his focus? With a stern reminder to himself, he moved his attention back to Miss Waverly.
Chapter Three
Lucy rose early the next morning, eager to start the day before Aunt Edith woke. This was Lucy’s favorite part of the day as her aunt normally slept late. Once she woke, she took most of Lucy’s time, but these few precious hours were a gift.
Emma’s decision to delay the skating until mid-day had been disappointing. By then, Lucy would be with Aunt Edith, reading, or writing letters, or whatever task her aunt wished.
But for now, her time was her own.
One look out the window confirmed exactly what Lucy had hoped—the wind had died down and the weather was perfect for skating.
After washing her face and tidying her hair, she dressed in several layers followed by her warmest wool gown. Then she put on her cloak and grabbed her muff, scarf, gloves, and the skates that strapped onto her half-boots and headed out the door with a friendly greeting to the surprised footman on duty.
The ice-skating area was within walking distance, and she looked forward to gliding over the ice in the peaceful quiet.
The evening had been enjoyable, but she’d forgotten how exhausting it was to make conversation. She hadn’t been able to keep from helping the other guests to enjoy themselves. Some needed a nudge in the right direction.
The air was crisp and removed the last dregs of tiredness that nipped at her as did excitement at having the ice all to herself. She walked briskly, pleased to see the smooth sheen of ice beckoning her.
Her uncle had placed benches for the skaters to sit and fasten their skates, and she pulled off her muff and gloves to strap on her blades. Soon she was taking her first stilted glides, finding her balance after a couple of turns around the frozen pond.
The skating area wasn’t a true pond, only a low spot her uncle flooded for the purpose of skating. It was thick enough to provide a good surface but shallow enough to easily freeze given the cold temperatures of the past fortnight. There was no worry over skating on a thin spot and falling through.
Lucy picked up her speed, the cold wind stinging her nose and cheeks. To test her skills, she managed an awkward turn and then a smoother one, feeling more graceful as she moved across the ice.
Oh, it was truly delightful. How she’d missed this feeling. The freedom was thrilling. She couldn’t imagine a dance being this enjoyable.
She’d been skating for half an hour when she saw a tall figure striding toward her. Resigned to having her solitude disturbed, she slowed and approached to greet him, her displeasure fading as she recognized Mr. Raybourne.
“Good morning,” he called, his hands buried in his greatcoat. “You have a talent for skating.”
“Thank you. Emma and I used to skate in our youth.”
“And you’re an early riser.”
“You must be as well.” She was surprised as many of the men had played billiards and cards late into the night. None of the effects of a late night were visible on his countenance.
“Seems a waste of the country air to remain abed on a fine morning.” His gaze took in the fields before returning to her, giving her heart a little bump.
“I agree.” She hesitated then asked, “Did you bring your skates this morning?”
“No, I was out for a walk when I saw you.”
“I won’t be joining the party later, so I decided to skate while I could.” She backed up slightly then skated forward again, unable to stand still.
“Perhaps tomorrow morning I’ll join you if you don’t mind some company?”
“I’d be delighted.” And she realized she would. If one of the guests were to join her, Mr. Raybourne was the ideal choice. Conversation with him was relatively easy though she couldn’t deny the awareness she felt when in his presence.
Even now, she felt warm from the inside out, and it had little to do with skating. Was this how Emma felt when she was with him? The thought sobered her. She needed to remember her purpose here. Skating with him would provide a chance for her to form an opinion about him.
“I look forward to it.” With a dose of that smile and a touch to the brim of his hat, he turned and continued his walk, his broad shoulders a sight to behold.
Lucy bit her lip, excited at the prospect of skating with him come morning. How was she going to curtail her feelings and keep her purpose in mind?