CHAPTER 5
High Street was filled with mayhem as Josephine and Constance prepared for the dinner at Mr. Tennyson's. Poor Lady Cavender was laid up in bed, having caught a dreadful cold, forced to remain at home. She insisted the ladies not to worry a bit over her, but to enjoy their evening in the company of new friends. Josephine and Constance agreed to comply.
After meticulously tending to their toilette, and second-guessing their wardrobe choices, both girls waited as Sir Cartwright was announced. He had come to visit several times since the Cavender's dinner party, always alone, always attentive to Miss Whitmore.
Upon learning of Lord and Lady Cavender's inability to attend, Sir Cartwright had graciously offered to escort the ladies to Berkeley Square. Although he never wished anyone ill health, Carwright was pleased with the inconspicuous opportunity to escort Miss Whitmore.
The carriage ride was drawn out with Josephine's nerves. She and Constance were seated across from Sir Cartwright, her friend blushing each time he stared. Josephine grew uncomfortable with her two escorts attentiveness to one another.
shall I get my own conveyance? do you two ever look away?
Josephine chose the distraction of gas lit London streets, a warm breeze lifting the air. She found herself missing the smells of home. The air in Hertfordshire was usually cool and floated a diversity of natural scents, from leaves and grass heavy with dew to faint scents of hydrangeas beneath her bedroom window. London air was thick with smoke and fog, none of the refreshing scents which urged you to take a long, deep breath. Josephine wondered how Elise and her father were getting along in her absence.
I wish Elise would write...I hope Papa hasn't yet strangled Mrs. Biddlecomb or vice versa.
Josephine's reflections were interrupted by Sir Cartwright nervously tapping the heel of his Hessians against the floor of the carriage. "If I may be so bold Miss Yorke..." She stared at him through the dim light, startled by his petition.
Why does he look nervous?
Sir Cartwright continued, "I had not mentioned it before Miss Yorke, but seeing as we are on our way to his house, I...I...I suppose I simply wanted to give fair warning. Um...Tennyson, he can be a little...um..."
Say it already Sir Cartwright!
"A little gruff sometimes."
That was anticlimactic...
"Usually unintentional, he...he...well if you can get past first impressions...the man has a heart of pure gold Miss Yorke."
"Is that so Sir Cartwright?" Josephine didn't hide her amusement.
"Certainly so, I only wanted to warn you, in case he tries to frighten you off." Cartwright ceased tapping his boots, leaning back in the seat.
"And do you think that is your friend's intention?" She had a knowing grin, but did not betray Constance's confidence. "Do you think Mr. Charles Tennyson intends to scare me off?"
"To be forthcoming, I am unsure what he is thinking most of the time," he answered, boots again tapping the floor.
Josephine wanted to sooth his worrying, partly because the nervous tapping of his boots was driving her insane. "Sir, you may feel relief, for I am not easily frightened."
"Very true!" Constance echoed, smiling at Josephine before settling her eyes back on Sir Cartwright. "Something I have seen firsthand."
Ugh! Staring at each other again, what is there left to look at?
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