David had to smile. He shook his head. “Very well. What you do and whom you bring to the wedding is your affair. But I want you to know that I think it’s best if today is our last lesson.”
Annabelle’s head snapped to face him. Surprise flashed through her eyes. “Last lesson?”
“Yes,” David replied with a firm nod. “I think it’s for the best. Besides, I believe you said there was not much more to learn.”
Annabelle appeared to contemplate the matter for a moment. “There are endless things to learn, but I suppose we can make this the last lesson. If that’s what you prefer,” she finished softly.
“I do,” he said, nodding. It took everything in him to stop himself from asking if it were true that she had was developing an ‘affection’ for Murdock as Marianne had said, but instead, he expelled his breath and simply said, “Now, what are we studying today?”
Annabelle straightened her shoulders and seemed to shake off whatever fluster was left from her conversation with Marianne. “Mama suggested we discuss correct behavior while traveling.”
David bit the inside of his cheek and nodded. “Ah, because I’ll be traveling to the wedding next week.”
“Precisely.” Annabelle glanced toward the door. “I cannot think what could be keeping Mama this morning. She told me at breakfast she’d be here on the spot of ten.”
“Would you like me to ask after her?” David offered, starting toward the door.
“No. No. Most likely it’s nothing and she’ll be here momentarily. Let’s go ahead and get started.”
David nodded and made his way over to the settee where they normally sat for such lessons. Annabelle came over and sat too, but David couldn’t help but notice she was perched as far from him as possible. She was nearly sitting on the arm of the thing.
He cursed himself again for having kissed her and turning all their interactions awkward.
Annabelle cleared her throat. “Ahem. The first thing to know about travel is that you must always send word ahead of your arrival.”
David nodded. “Simple enough.”
“In this case, of course, it’s known that everyone is coming for the wedding, as invitations were sent and replies were received, but otherwise, it must be quite clear in a series of correspondence that one is arriving at a friend’s house.”
“Understood.” He glanced away from her. The light was coming through the large bay window in front of them at an angle that made her look like an angel come down from heaven. Not helpful. Not helpful in the least. “What else?” The words came out more gruff than he’d meant them to.
She plucked at her skirts. “As you may imagine, a lady never arrives at a gentleman’s house alone.”
“Yes,” he replied. He’d fixed his gaze on a spot on the wall behind her. Much safer that way.
“Let’s see,” she continued. “In a carriage, a man always sits facing backward. And he should never sit next to a lady when he is alone with her in a carriage unless he is her direct relation.”
David frowned. “I sat next to you on the way to the Talbots’. Are you saying that was incorrect?”
“Yes,” she replied. “But Mama sat with Marianne facing backward, so you had no choice other than to take the seat that you did. That was quite curious. I’m still not certain why Mama sat there.”
David cracked a smile. “So, the rule is only a rule until another more esteemed member of the company changes the rule. Is that correct?”
That endearing little smile popped to Annabelle’s lips. “Yes. That sums it up perfectly.”
David chuckled and shook his head. At least they were speaking to each other again as they once had, like friends. Perhaps they could end these lessons cordially and go about their respective lives in the ton as pleasant acquaintances, instead of uneasy former friends.
“Of course, guests may stay for many weeks. Erm, how long do you plan to stay at Lord Worthington’s house?” she asked.
“Just until the day after the wedding,” David assured her. “You?”
“Mama and I will be headed back to town the morning after the wedding, to give Beau and Marianne privacy. They’re going to Bellingham Hall.”
The door to the salon flew open and Lady Angelina came bursting through with Bell at her side. “My apologies for being unpunctual,” she said. “But I was fetching Beau. I’ve brought him here to relate to Lord Elmwood all the things required of a gentleman at a house party, like drinking port and playing cards, hunting and the like. I daresay Beau will be a better tutor than we are for such things, darling.”
Annabelle’s gaze flew to her mother and brother, and she shot to her feet.
David followed suit.
Beau chuckled. “I never pictured myself a tutor, but if you’d like to hear the basics, Elmwood, I propose we take our lesson to my study where you at least may have a drink while we discuss it.”
“It’s not yet half past ten, Beau,” Lady Angelina pointed out.
“It’s never too early to retire to the study, Mother,” Beau said, leaning down and kissing his mother on the cheek.
“Mama,” Annabelle said, wringing her hands ever so slightly. “Lord Elmwood has asked that today’s lesson be his last.”
“What?” Lady Angelina frowned.
“I fear there’s not much more that will stick in this wooden brain of mine, my lady,” David said, bowing to the marchioness.
“Oh, nonsense, Elmwood.” Lady Angelina waved a hand in the air. “I daresay you’re one of the most intelligent young men I’ve come across in this town, next to Beau and his set. But I can take a hint that our fussing and prodding has worn out your patience. I’m pleased you’ve made it this long, honestly.”
“I’m grateful for your assistance, madame.” He turned toward Annabelle. “And for yours, Lady Annabelle.”
Annabelle nodded and quickly averted her gaze.
“I suppose I’ll just go see about the bon bons,” Lady Angelina said, waving her hand again. “We must take them below stairs before they melt. Good day, Lord Elmwood.” The woman breezed out of the door.
Bell had already made his way back toward the door to the salon and was holding it open. “Coming, Elmwood?”
“Yes,” David called, without taking his gaze from Annabelle. He took a step toward her and spoke under his breath where Bell could not hear. “I suppose this is it?” Why did it suddenly feel as if the air had been sucked from the room?
“Yes, I suppose so.” Annabelle folded her hands together in front of her and didn’t quite meet his eyes. “I should say ‘best of luck.’”
David chuckled. “Thank you. I’m certain to need it. And truly, thank you again for your help. I owe you a debt, my lady.”
“You owe me nothing, David,” her voice was small and low. He loved that she still called him David.
“On the contrary. I’m certain to have made an even larger fool of myself if you hadn’t shown me all that you have.” He stepped past her toward the door.
“Will you be…?” Her voice stopped him, and he turned to look at her once more. She cleared her throat and began again. “Are you planning to attend all of the wedding festivities next week?”