Wick moved back, folding his arms. His heart was sinking in his chest. ‘No, he is not,’ he said sharply.
Lady Louisa sat back too, her face looking red, as if someone had slapped her. Wick didn’t know how to explain that her words had bruised him but that he hadn’t meant to snap at her.
She moved in her seat, bumping into Mrs May, who was startled awake.
‘We were talking about governesses?’ she said, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
‘Yes, Mrs May,’ he said.
The housekeeper yawned. ‘The sooner the better.’
And the sooner he got rid of Lady Louisa the better. He hadn’t meant to tell her so much about his family. It reminded him of Charles and thinking about his little brother was like touching a tender bruise that never healed. He only felt raw pain.
Chapter Twelve
Louisa didn’t know what she had said that had made Lord Cheswick so angry, but he’d barely spoken a word to her on their journey home. Perhaps she had been impertinent, asking personal questions about his family. She longed to know him better, but he seemed determined to keep her at arm’s length. Her regard for him was clearly not returned. She needed to stop thinking about him so much and focus on her season and the suitors she would meet.
A London season that would take place thanks tohiskindness.
But ridding her thoughts of him was proving quite impossible.
Mrs May, who was now wide awake, conversed merrily with her about the duties of running a household. Louisa wondered if the housekeeper was quizzing her about her capabilities. Luckily, Mrs Barker had taught her well, and Louisa knew more about managing servants than any feminine accomplishments.
When they arrived at the castle Lord Cheswick helped them out of the carriage and then immediately excused himself to make arrangements for London. Instead of going with them to the house, he went towards the stables.
Louisa spared him one last glance, before Mrs May took her arm and led her inside. The butler opened the door for them and the three Stringham sisters sprang upon them. Literally.
‘You’re back!’ Becca said, hugging Louisa tightly. ‘You came back. I am so very glad.’
‘What happened?’ Frederica demanded, as she patted Louisa on the shoulder. ‘Was your family not at home?’
Louisa pulled at her collar, feeling sweat form on her brow. ‘They were at home. However, they are not inclined to help me.’
‘What fustian!’ Frederica said with a growl.
Louisa felt light-headed, and longed to flee rather than tell them the truth. ‘Wick... Lord Cheswick...thought that perhaps your sister Lady Glastonbury might let me stay with her whilst he contacts my trustees.’
‘So we’re all to go to London,’ Mrs May said, clapping her hands. ‘Now, you’d best stop pestering poor Lady Louisa and start packing.’
‘London!’ Becca squealed.
Frederica grabbed Helen’s hands and they jumped up and down together. ‘What fun we will have there.’
‘I can feel my hair turning greyer already,’ the housekeeper said drily, which sent the Stringham sisters into hysterical laughter.
Sobering after a few moments, Helen cleared her throat and gave Mrs May a sharp look. ‘Where is my new snake?’
Mrs May blinked; pretending to be surprised. ‘I do not know what you mean, Lady Helen. What snake would that be?’
Louisa had to bite down on her lower lip to keep in her laugh. The housekeeper was not going to let her charge know that her prank had been successful. Nor of her own exploits with the reptile.
The older woman breathed in deeply. ‘No more dallying. It’s time for you all to go to your rooms and get ready for our trip to London. I’ll send up the maids.’
Louisa smiled. Mrs May was more than a match for the young ladies in her charge. She doubted that she could have handled them half so well. Whoever they found for a governess would need a sturdy constitution and a well of patience.
After dinner that night, Frederica declared that they were going to practise curtsying. Louisa was grateful for the help—if a little nervous. She didn’t want to embarrass herself or Lord Cheswick in front of his sister the Duchess of Glastonbury the next day. She longed to earn the young woman’s good opinion, and it would be entirely lovely to have a friend her own age.
Frederica cleared her throat. ‘Place one foot slightly behind the other and then open your hands, bow your head, and slightly bend your knees.’