A Gentleman's Daughter: Her Choice by Reina M. Williams Page B

trick on Mr. Gottersham. Her mother and aunt scolded her again for her behavior and urged her to improve lest Mr. Thornhill or Mr. Mainmount made an appearance. Cecilia had rather not even see them; surely she would scare them off as well. Yet she could not seem to rally herself. She wanted only to return home. If Mr. Cateret was here, he would be able to make her laugh. This thought drove her deeper into darkness.
    As she sat twisting her handkerchief, Mr. Thornhill was announced. From his deep frown and glowering eyes, she gathered he was none too pleased to be here. She wondered then why he had bothered at all. When he strode over and sat on the sofa with her, his nearness gripped her and she shivered. After inquiring about her health and other such pleasantries, he sat quietly a moment, seeming to study her.
    “Miss Wilcox, are you certain you are well enough to be downstairs? I would not wish you to tax yourself.”
    “I believe I know my own strength, thank you, sir. I am sorry if I look so ill as to rouse your concern,” Cecilia said with a petulant frown. She knew she was rude but somehow could not help herself.
    “You know very well I did not mean that,” Mr. Thornhill replied in an irate whisper, his face a reddish hue. Cecilia was taken aback, she had never seen him so, not even when he had confronted the young man at the ball.
    “I am sorry, Mr. Thornhill. You find me in ill spirits today. I ought not have come down. You are correct,” Cecilia said, glancing at her mother.
    “Perhaps you did not have much choice. I only called to make sure you were feeling better and to tell you my uncle and cousin will arrive this evening. I always escort Miss Nefton about when we meet, so I am afraid I will be much occupied. Will you be…” Mr. Thornhill stopped at the announcement of Mr. Mainmount.
    Cecilia directed her attention toward him. If she looked at Mr. Thornhill she would cry. Obviously he did not like her anymore and was trying to let her know. But she did not care for him, did she?
    After greeting Mrs. Higham and Mrs. Wilcox, Mr. Mainmount approached them. Cecilia smiled up at him, indeed he was an attractive gentleman, his blue coat showing up his dazzling cerulean eyes which so contrasted his black hair. The two gentlemen greeted each other and Mr. Mainmount apologized for interrupting.
    “Perhaps I should come back later? I only wished to give you these flowers from the fields we were to ride to today.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Mainmount. That is most kind,” Cecilia said as she accepted his gift. Her mother came to fetch the bouquet so it might be put in water.
    “It is you who are kind. I have met one of your callers on my way in. You have got rid of Mr. Gottersham it seems, sparing me the inconvenience. I thank you,” he said, making a bow.
    Cecilia tittered, though it was wrong of him to say such things. It had always been thus with Mr. Cateret as well. Clearly, Cecilia thought, Mr. Thornhill was offended, for he stood, rigid and frowning, and, bowing to them both, said his farewells.  
    Taking that gentleman’s place on the sofa, Mr. Mainmount continued in his mocking tone: “I hope I have got rid of him. Do you have any other callers hidden about whom I can offend?”
    “No, sir, only yourself,” Cecilia replied, masking her disappointment at Mr. Thornhill’s departure.
    “Ah, yet how can I insult myself? I have already done so and I fear you as well. Can you forgive my behavior of Monday eve? I let my feelings overwhelm me. There, I have well wounded myself,” Mr. Mainmount said with a mixture of contriteness and jesting.
    “I will forgive you, then.” Cecilia laughed. “Take care not to do it again. I would not wish you to have to quit your own company because you so outraged yourself.”
    Mr. Mainmount chuckled and continued their conversation. Eventually, they agreed to meet again tomorrow, as Mr. Mainmount had rescheduled the riding party for then. Cecilia was none too pleased that