His presence changed everything. She couldn’t think of what to do. One thing was certain, she didn’t care to be caught staring at him. She forced her gaze away and continued forward until she reached the library.
After drawing a deep breath to calm the emotions bubbling inside her, she opened the door and found Frances staring out the window at the far end of the room.
“Frances? Your mother is asking for you.”
Her friend heaved a sigh and turned to Harriet. “Very well. I’m ready to endure it again.”
“Perhaps you’re looking at the guests in the wrong way.”
“How do you mean?”
“They are more nervous about meeting you and your family than you could possibly be about them.”
Frances shook her head. “I don’t see how that could be possible. I suppose I feel as if other people are judging me and find me lacking.”
Harriet’s heart squeezed at her friend’s confession. “You are a wonderful person. Lovely inside and out. I’m very fortunate to call you my friend. If anyone thinks otherwise, then it is their loss. Now then, let us return to the drawing room.” She glanced at the clock on the nearby table. “Before we know it, the dinner hour will be here, and you’ll be able to tell me who has captured your interest and inspired your bold move.”
Frances pressed a hand to her chest as if to calm her heart. “If he came. I confess that I’m torn, half hoping he didn’t and yet hoping he did.”
“I hope he is here,” Harriet said with a smile despite her worry about how difficult it would be to help her overcome her shyness. “I look forward to learning his identity.” She might share who she admired as well.
“Harriet, I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that you’re here and that you’ve agreed to help me. I would be hiding in my room the entire time otherwise and both Mother and Father would be unhappy with me.”
Harriet looped her arm through her friend’s. “It is going to be an enjoyable week.” She pulled Frances gently forward, surprised—and disappointed—when she turned in the opposite direction that Harriet had taken.
“Let us go up the back stairs so we don’t run into anyone.”
“Very well.” Yet Harriet couldn’t help but look longingly down the corridor, where she’d hoped for another glance at Viscount Garland. The evening couldn’t come fast enough.
Chapter Four
Joseph returned tohis room to dress for dinner, his mood foul. Of all the people who might’ve been at the house party, that the very man he was quickly coming to view as an enemy had arrived seemed unbelievable.
He’d realized that anyone claiming to be overly religious struck a nerve with him. How could they not given his father’s actions during his childhood? The lectures insisting he was bound for hell for the smallest infraction. The days in his room with nothing to eat unless his mother managed to sneak him food.
But knowing that didn’t change his dislike of Reverend Henderson.