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Authors: Catherine Winchester
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coffee house owner, she felt out of place, despite her fine gown and pretty hair.
After des sert there was a cheese course, served with sherry or port and whilst the alcohol proved popular, few people partook in the cheese, since they were already full.
When lunch broke up, most people headed inside, either for a nap after such fine food or to play a few hands of cards, before reconvening that evening. Richard escorted Annabelle inside but managed to hang back slightly so that they had a little privacy.
“Why ar e you so quiet?” he asked, for she was far from the fiery woman that he remembered.
“I feel out of place,” she admitted.
“You certainly don’t look out of place.”
“Perhaps not but now that people know that I run a shop, I feel judged and a little like I’m playing dress-up.”
Richard stopped walking , took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face him. “You are not out of place,” he assured her. “You may be a little unconventional but that describes my whole family, including my mother. Most importantly, we both want you here.”
“I can tell that Sophie is just being polite with me now that she knows, and it won’t be long before everyone else knows.”
“Sophie is not a gossip and I am certain that she doesn’t feel that way. Besides, the Annabelle I know wouldn’t cower from people who sought to put her down, she would give as good as she got. Maybe you do look a little different today, but you are still you at heart.”
She smiled and nodded. “You’re right. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, are you up for a game of cards?”
“It’s been a while since I played any card games but as long as you don’t mind refreshing my memory, I would be happy to.”
They passed a happy few hours playing cards with other guests but when they moved onto Faro, which was played for money, Annabelle quickly decided to excuse herself and see if she could find somewhere to freshen up a little. She found Lavinia in the game room and asked her.
“Of course, dear. I have had your things brought here, so that you don’t have to travel back to the cottage tonight and can leave from here in the morning. I should have told you. Come, I will show you to your room.”
Arm in arm, they headed out of the room, only for Frederick Wyatt to block their path.
“Annabelle, I thought that was you. My dearest sist er, how are you?” he leaned in and although Annabelle recoiled, he managed to kiss her cheek. She shuddered as he stepped back.
“I’m very well, thank you Frederick,” she managed to say, although her mouth had gone dry. “If you’ll excuse me, Lavinia was about to show me something.”
His eyes narrowed and he turned to their hostess.
“Lavinia, thank you so much for inviting me to this delightful gathering, I have had a marvellous time so far.”
“You will not be invited again if you continue to address me in such an impertinent manner!” Lavinia raised a haughty eyebrow.
“I- My apologies, Your Grace, I did not mean to be impertinent, I-”
“Nonsense, you have addressed me as ‘Your Grace’ ever since you arrived. Your sister happens to be a dear friend of mine and can claim a certain amount of familiarity but I cannot say the same for you. Sharing her kin does not entitle you to claim a friendship with me. Good day, Lord Wyatt.”
She strode from the room, a lmost dragging Annabelle along with her. In the hallway they passed the butler and Lavinia stopped to whisper something to him. He nodded and they continued on their way, up the stairs. Lavinia maintained beautiful, decorated in shades of gold, the walls adorned with tapestries that were as tall as Annabelle, a large four posted bed in the centre and two large windows that looked out over the gardens. However Annabelle was far too preoccupied to notice her surroundings at the moment.
“You should not have done that,” she said softly.
“Nonsense, men like that must be put in their
After des sert there was a cheese course, served with sherry or port and whilst the alcohol proved popular, few people partook in the cheese, since they were already full.
When lunch broke up, most people headed inside, either for a nap after such fine food or to play a few hands of cards, before reconvening that evening. Richard escorted Annabelle inside but managed to hang back slightly so that they had a little privacy.
“Why ar e you so quiet?” he asked, for she was far from the fiery woman that he remembered.
“I feel out of place,” she admitted.
“You certainly don’t look out of place.”
“Perhaps not but now that people know that I run a shop, I feel judged and a little like I’m playing dress-up.”
Richard stopped walking , took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face him. “You are not out of place,” he assured her. “You may be a little unconventional but that describes my whole family, including my mother. Most importantly, we both want you here.”
“I can tell that Sophie is just being polite with me now that she knows, and it won’t be long before everyone else knows.”
“Sophie is not a gossip and I am certain that she doesn’t feel that way. Besides, the Annabelle I know wouldn’t cower from people who sought to put her down, she would give as good as she got. Maybe you do look a little different today, but you are still you at heart.”
She smiled and nodded. “You’re right. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, are you up for a game of cards?”
“It’s been a while since I played any card games but as long as you don’t mind refreshing my memory, I would be happy to.”
They passed a happy few hours playing cards with other guests but when they moved onto Faro, which was played for money, Annabelle quickly decided to excuse herself and see if she could find somewhere to freshen up a little. She found Lavinia in the game room and asked her.
“Of course, dear. I have had your things brought here, so that you don’t have to travel back to the cottage tonight and can leave from here in the morning. I should have told you. Come, I will show you to your room.”
Arm in arm, they headed out of the room, only for Frederick Wyatt to block their path.
“Annabelle, I thought that was you. My dearest sist er, how are you?” he leaned in and although Annabelle recoiled, he managed to kiss her cheek. She shuddered as he stepped back.
“I’m very well, thank you Frederick,” she managed to say, although her mouth had gone dry. “If you’ll excuse me, Lavinia was about to show me something.”
His eyes narrowed and he turned to their hostess.
“Lavinia, thank you so much for inviting me to this delightful gathering, I have had a marvellous time so far.”
“You will not be invited again if you continue to address me in such an impertinent manner!” Lavinia raised a haughty eyebrow.
“I- My apologies, Your Grace, I did not mean to be impertinent, I-”
“Nonsense, you have addressed me as ‘Your Grace’ ever since you arrived. Your sister happens to be a dear friend of mine and can claim a certain amount of familiarity but I cannot say the same for you. Sharing her kin does not entitle you to claim a friendship with me. Good day, Lord Wyatt.”
She strode from the room, a lmost dragging Annabelle along with her. In the hallway they passed the butler and Lavinia stopped to whisper something to him. He nodded and they continued on their way, up the stairs. Lavinia maintained beautiful, decorated in shades of gold, the walls adorned with tapestries that were as tall as Annabelle, a large four posted bed in the centre and two large windows that looked out over the gardens. However Annabelle was far too preoccupied to notice her surroundings at the moment.
“You should not have done that,” she said softly.
“Nonsense, men like that must be put in their
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