Charles leaned close as if to speak in confidence. “If I were you, I’d focus on Miss Melbourne rather than her brother. It sounds more enjoyable.”
Joseph smiled, appreciating the reminder. “I’ll see what I can do.” Hopefully, he’d have a chance to tell Mr. Melbourne how brave his daughter had been to save Joseph’s mother. There hadn’t been time earlier in the billiard room. Then again, he didn’t want to say too much about his mother and what might’ve caused her to step into traffic.
He made his way downstairs to the drawing room where the guests had been invited to gather before dinner and paused in the doorway, searching for a glimpse of pale hair.
To his delight, he saw her speaking with another young lady near her age with dark hair. Luckily, there was no sign of Reverend Henderson as of yet.
He moved slowly in their direction, not wanting to be too obvious.
“Garland,” Thomas Sinclair greeted him. “I didn’t have a chance to speak with you earlier. It’s been some time since we last spoke.”
Joseph shook his hand. “Indeed. I understand you’ve parted ways with the Royal Navy. It must be good to return home.”
“It is.” Sinclair smiled. “I confess that I still feel the ground moving beneath my feet after so many years on a ship.”
“I can only imagine.” They conversed for several minutes, but Joseph kept an eye on Miss Melbourne, hoping for a chance to speak with her. He managed to catch her eye and nod a greeting, which she returned with a smile that made her blue eyes look all the brighter.
Anticipation swirled through him after that moment of connection that had nothing to do with her last name. She was attractive and kind, something he knew beyond a doubt by the way she’d placed herself in danger to aid his mother.
When Sinclair stepped away to greet someone else, Joseph walked directly to her. “Good evening.”
“Viscount Garland.” She dipped her head in acknowledgement. “How nice to see you again.”
He glanced at the lady by her side whose face had turned red with what appeared to be embarrassment, though he didn’t know why.
Before he could inquire as to whether anything was amiss, she murmured, “Excuse me,” and took her leave.
“I hope I didn’t offend the lady,” Joseph began as he looked back at Miss Melbourne.
“I’m sure she’s fine.” Yet her worried look as she watched her former companion made him wonder.
“I wanted to thank you again for helping my mother last week.”
“I’m pleased I happened to see her. I hope she didn’t suffer any ill effects from the incident.”
“She’s well, thanks to you.” He shook his head. “I confess that I don’t understand why she wasn’t paying more attention.”
“Distractions seem to be part of the world now. But that carriage shouldn’t have been going so fast.” She glanced around the room. “Do you know the Melbournes well?”
He frowned at the oddly worded question. “Not well, though I look forward to becoming better acquainted.”
Before he could say anything more, they were called to dinner. He was paired with Miss Julia Frampton, whom he’d just met.
He was pleased to see Miss Melbourne’s friend had rejoined the party and was seated several places away. She seemed determined to avoid his gaze, but perhaps he was imagining that. She sat next to Mrs. Edwards, who was Mrs. Melbourne’s sister, according to his dinner companion.
The long dining room table held the thirty guests with ease. The meal of leek soup, roasted lamb, potatoes, and peas was delicious, and Miss Frampton was pleasant company even if she wasn’t as appealing as Miss Melbourne.
Unfortunately, he was too far away from Mr. Melbourne to hear much of his conversation. But he was pleased Reverend Henderson had also been placed well away from their host. Hopefully, that meant their association wasn’t a close one.
Miss Melbourne was seated on the opposite side of the table several guests away between Sinclair and Connolly. Far too frequently, Joseph caught himself watching her, enjoying her graceful gestures and kind smile. She seemed to be doing her best to converse with those around her, putting them at ease.
Once dinner was over, the ladies withdrew to the drawing room, leaving the men to their port.
Joseph was content to listen. While he kept his gaze away from Reverend Henderson, he tried to hear what the man said. From what he heard the topics seemed to be mundane. Not once did he hear him mention his church or hint at the need for donations.
That only showed the man knew how to play his cards. Dinner wasn’t the proper time for financial discussions of any sort.
Then again Joseph would readily admit that he was doing the same thing, biding his time until the right moment came his way. However, he was offering an investment opportunity with the intent of creating wealth, whereas the reverend was only interested in taking what others were willing to give.