~*~
HARRIET BREATHED Asigh of relief when Mrs. Melbourne entered the drawing room where the ladies had all gathered to greet one another. Frances was there of course, but her shyness made it difficult to properly greet the guests and make them feel welcome.
She’d done her best to help and stayed by Frances’ side as they greeted each new arrival. More often than not, Frances sent Harriet a helpless look after exchanging the most basic of greetings. It seemed up to Harriet to inquire as to how their journey had been, and whether they had visited the area before.
What seemed like common courtesy was a struggle for Frances. It was a different side of her friend that Harriet hadn’t seen to this extent before. While Frances had been shy at the first few meetings of the literary league that she attended, now she freely shared her opinion during book discussions. Her timidness was evident at balls and other events but she seemed even more so now.
Harriet was happy to help, but this wasn’t her home, and these people weren’t her guests, which made the situation awkward as she was forced to explain that she was a friend.
“Welcome. Good afternoon,” Mrs. Melbourne greeted everyone from the doorway before she moved to the nearest guest. She proceeded to visit with each person, making her way around the room to do so. The social graces that came naturally to her mother did not carry to Frances.
“Let us go,” Frances whispered to Harriet.
“Go where?”
“Anywhere but here.”
“Won’t your mother be displeased if we leave?”
Frances glanced at her mother. “Yes. But I need a moment to collect myself.”
Harriet didn’t understand why Frances felt such distress. Everyone they’d spoken to had been cordial.
Harriet glanced at Mrs. Melbourne, torn as to what to do. She was a guest here and didn’t intend to forget that. While she was sympathetic to Frances’ feelings, she didn’t want to upset Mrs. Melbourne.
“Why don’t you step out?” Harriet suggested. “I will provide an excuse to your mother if she asks.”
The look of gratitude Frances cast her made her feel as if she’d done the right thing.
“Are you sure?” Frances asked.
“Of course. But don’t be gone too long.”
Frances nodded and walked toward the door, casting one more look at her mother and Harriet before she departed.
Harriet turned toward the nearest guest and struck up a conversation, wanting to do her part to help.
But when a quarter of an hour had passed, and then another, she grew concerned.
Mrs. Melbourne approached her. “Do you know where Frances is?”
“She needed the retiring room, but I’m not sure what’s keeping her.”
Mrs. Melbourne glanced around the room then back at Harriet. “May I ask you to check on her? I know the guests make her nervous, but I need her.”
“Of course. I’m happy to help in any way I can,” Harriet reassured her. “I will return with her directly.” She smiled and departed to begin her search.
First, she went up the stairs to Frances’ bedroom and knocked on the door but received no answer. After a moment’s hesitation, she went down to the library, grateful to have already explored the house enough to know her way around.
However, one look inside showed the library empty. Perhaps she was in the other one. Aware of the time passing, she went downstairs and asked the butler if he’d seen her.
“I believe Miss Melbourne is in the large library, my lady.”
“Thank you.” She walked down the corridor, slowing her pace as she passed the open doors of the billiard room.
The murmur of voices and her curiosity had her glancing inside. Her heart caught at the sight of Viscount Garland speaking with Frances’ brother, Martin. Her entire body warmed at the sight of him. Her heart hammered and her mouth went dry. To know that he had been invited to the party was more than she could’ve hoped for.
Oh, my goodness.