In Pursuit of Miriam (23 page)

People were drifting into the card room and Henry Straw had secured Caroline to partner him for a game of whist. Diana, not an accomplished card player, drifted around the room watching and stopping to talk with one or two people. Hot and bored she decided to visit the cloakroom and freshen up. She drifted out of the card room and headed for the entrance hall from which the great staircase led to the first floor where the cloakroom was situated. The cloakroom was mercifully cool and, after splashing cold water on her face and straightening her hair, she felt she ought to return to the party.

Descending the stairs slowly Diana was trying to decide where to go. She could return to the card room and watch the play or she could join her mama who had remained in the drawing room to gossip with her friends. She had not made up her mind when she reached the bottom of the stairs and stood for a while whilst trying to make a decision. Neither option really appealed. So engrossed was she in her own thoughts Diana had no awareness of her surroundings until a voice close to her made her jump.

“A penny for your thoughts,” drawled Rollo who had just entered through the front door and had seen Diana standing motionless. He had in fact been watching her for a couple of minutes before saying anything.

Startled, Diana's eyes flew up to see a large gentleman looming in front of her and her pulse began racing at such a pace; she wondered if she might faint from fright.

“Are you unwell?” He questioned as he saw her face visibly pale.

With a huge effort Diana took a deep breath and mentally chided herself for having such a reaction. She had been startled but now, recognizing the gentleman was the Earl of Brockwood, she calmed sufficiently to answer him.

“I am afraid I was wool gathering,” she explained. “I am trying to make a mighty decision as to whether I should return to the card room and watch the play, or to go join my mother in the drawing room.” Her wry smile demonstrated that she was laughing at herself for being so indecisive.

“Let me help,” Rollo offered. “Pray explain the advantages and disadvantages of each option and I may be able to help you with such a momentous decision.” Although he did not let it show, he was amused enough to continue this dialogue.

Diana, realizing he was playing along with her, pretended to take careful thought before replying. “Well I am a poor card player, so the card room does not hold much appeal. I know very little gossip so I shall not be much sought after in the drawing room. Hence my current predicament.”

“Is your friend not here to keep you company or do you not have a bevy of beaux to pay court and amuse you this evening?” he probed.

“Alas, my cousin has deserted me to partner a handsome young gentleman in a game of whist and I find that my ‘bevy of beaux' appear to be otherwise occupied tonight.” Diana smiled and her eyes danced in amusement at this exchange.

“I can understand now why you are in such a sad predicament.” Rollo was enjoying himself, he could not remember the last time any lady had dared to enter into this type of light-hearted repartee with him. He noted that his customary harsh, schooled expression was having little if any effect on Diana. He would have expected this realization to annoy him but in fact he found that he did not, on this occasion, mind. “I may have an answer to your predicament,” he offered.

Diana smiled at him. “I must declare, Lord Brockwood, that I would be grateful for any assistance you can give me in this matter.” Looking at Rollo's face Diana thought she detected the slightest hint of humour in his blue eyes as he offered his solution.

“If I were to accompany you to the card room and take a turn around the room with you, this would create such comment that it would then allow you to retire to the drawing room with some gossip. This would then provide enough diversion to keep those ladies' tongues wagging happily for the rest of the evening.”

Laughing aloud at Rollo's perception of the situation she knew she would accept this offer.

“My lord, how can I refuse such a gallant offer? Had you not come to my rescue I may have still been standing here at midnight.” She placed her hand on the arm Rollo offered and, still laughing, proceeded with him into the card room.

 

The Earl of Ice
by Helen A. Grant, coming in early 2015 from Arrow Publications.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Helen A. Grant lives in the county of South Yorkshire, England.

 

Having been introduced to Jane Austen novels while in high school she developed a life-long passion for history and historical novels.

 

With two grown children who have now left home and a lots of storyline ideas Helen has now found the time to pursue her dream of writing historical novels. When she is not writing, Helen works part time as a community nurse with people with learning disabilities.

 

In Pursuit of Miriam
is her first historical novel.

 

Visit her website at
https://sites.google.com/site/helenannettegrant/home
.

 

Follow her on
Facebook
and
twitter@helen_a_grant
.

 

Readers can contact Helen via e-mail at
[email protected]
.

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