The Beautiful Wallflower

CHAPTER NINE: A game of questions

"Very well, then," Andrew said. "You have two more questions before I start asking more questions."

Lady Blackburn's face lit up with pride because he gave in. But in all honesty, he did not mind giving her what she wanted if he got a beautifully happy face like that in return.

"Is it all true what the newspaper wrote of your brother?"

Andrew was not quite sure how he felt about the question. No, he did not like talking about his family's decision, and yes, he knew everyone was curious for the details. But she was the first to ask him straight away about Arthur.

She noticed his silence, and filled it with uncertain words. "I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable, my lord. There are not rules saying you must answer every question asked."

He smiled at her, thankful that she did not push him into a confession. He gave her a short answer, whatever he was comfortable with. "Yes, what they wrote in the newspaper is correct. But there is much more to it."

A smile played her lips as she said: "isn't there always?" He absently nodded his head. This lady was truly different from anyone he knew.

"My last question. You said your name is not cleared, but I do not understand what makes you think that. You have many friends, do you not?"

"If you mean my brother and two sisters, then yes, I have many friends."

"Surely you have other friends as well. At balls I see you talking with many lords. Do you not consider them your friends?"

"I believe that was a fourth question, my lady," Andrew said, happy to change the subject. No sane person likes talking about his failures. "My turn for another round of three questions." He took a deep breath, giving him more time to think of his next question. "I have always been curious: are stays comfortable?"

Lady Blackburn's laughter filled the room, making the conversation lighter.

"I was fearing a harder question, my lord," she said through her laughing. "Well, I sure do envy men, who do not have to wear it."

"And the skirt?" he asked newt. "Is that comfortable?"

"Well, my lord," she said with a smile on her lips. "Everything of our dresses is quite comfortable. But I assume men's clothing give much more freedom. And I do have a love for dresses."

"Then I assume you have many," he said, feeling her smile wearing off on him.

"Is that your third question, my lord?"

He thought of it. He had many question he wanted to ask her, but mayhap it was better to be careful with this lady and ask her easy, superficial questions.

"Yes," he answered, "that is my third question."

"I did not think a man would be interested in dresses," she admitted. "But to answer your question, yes, I have many dresses. I have transformed one of the bed chambers to a room full of wardrobes so that every dress would have its proper place."

"Truly? I do not think the dresses of my two sisters could fill an entire room."

She laughed again, a sound he seemed to enjoy. "Like I said, my lord, I have a love for dresses."

"What I do wonder-"

"No, my lord. Three questions each."

He silently laughed. This was one special lady!

"The lords you talk to at balls. Do you consider them your friends?"

He sighed. Did she really have to get back to this subject? He had hoped she would forget about it, but she seemed to be too smart to forget anything.