Read April Kihlstrom for Free Online Page B

back downstairs that her sisters were sitting in the parlor with Mama and Papa just staring at Lord Rothwood. Her brothers were also sitting still, eyes on the Viscount, and the entire family was unnaturally subdued and polite. It made Beatrix wonder if some strange illness had come over them that they were all behaving so oddly.
    There was no time to wonder further, however, for at that moment the Viscount looked up and his eyes met hers. He smiled a smile that made her heart feel as if it would burst, for he looked as if seeing her lit up the room for him and filled him with utter happiness. But that was foolish. He could not possibly care so much about seeing her, even if her gown was a prettier and fit her far better than the one she had been wearing before.
    Still, apparently Lord Rothwood had been making himself agreeable because Mama and Papa were also smiling. Beatrix couldn’t remember the last time she had seen her parents smile so broadly or look at a guest with such obvious approval. Well, he was the nephew of Mama’s bosom bow so perhaps that was it. And the Viscount had excellent manners so of course they were pleased. It was probably no more than that and yet it was enough to allow Beatrix to smile as she stepped into the room, because it meant he was not sneering at their ramshackle home or her family. She could relax, this once, for a little bit at least.
    Lord Rothwood was standing now and he bowed as he said, “You look lovely, Miss Trowley. I have been telling your parents what a godsend you were, showing up when my carriage landed in the ditch and able to take me to the village to find help. I have been apologizing for taking up so much of your time today when your own family must have wished to have you with them.”
    Well, that was a very pretty speech, even if he was saying those things to please her parents, Beatrix thought, with a sniff. She could be just as gracious in return.
    “You are most welcome for the help, sir. And most kind.”
    Why that should make her siblings giggle and nudge one another was beyond understanding. Beatrix resolutely ignored them. She would not allow their silliness to distract her. Not when there was a guest to entertain. She did not want this elegant gentleman to return to London and tell tales of how eccentric her family was, as apparently other guests had done in the past. Conscious of the pain that gossip had caused her parents, for Lady Kenrick had felt it her duty to tell them about it, Beatrix was determined the Viscount should have nothing to cavil at during his visit.
    With that goal in mind, she moved forward and took the seat next to him, for it was the only seat available in the entire room. She smiled again and said, “I hope we have not overwhelmed you. I told you it is a large family.”
    “I am quite enjoying myself,” he answered. “Your brothers have promised to show me the best hunting and fishing spots hereabouts. And your sisters are delightful. As are your parents.”
    Hunting and fishing? Beatrix let out a tiny sigh of relief. Not only would that provide entertainment for the Viscount, but it would be a means to put food on the table for him. She looked at her brothers approvingly and they grinned right back. Most disconcerting was the fact that not one of them stuck his tongue out at her, as they were wont to do in such situations. Not that she objected, she thought hastily. Indeed she was grateful for their forbearance. It was just . . . odd.
    “Perhaps you could show Lord Rothwood the garden,” her mother positively trilled.
    Mama never trilled. Something very strange was going on. Still, she had been trained to be a dutiful daughter. “Er, of course. If, that is, you are interested,” Beatrix told the Viscount doubtfully.
    “I should be delighted to see the garden,” he responded promptly, and with all the appearance of intensely wishing to do so. Indeed, he immediately rose to his feet and held out a hand to her, disconcerting