Intentions of the Earl by Rose Gordon Page B

a nearby park. Even with three girls, Mama
had never hired a nanny. Mama had taken care to make sure her
daughters were dressed to the height of fashion. She had
interviewed dozens of tutors to find the most intelligent and
disciplined one to teach her daughters. As her girls got older she
introduced them to social circles, and instructed them on the most
valuable points to finding a good husband, like hers.
    But even with all of Mama’s instructions
Brooke still doubted she would truly capture the attentions of such
a lofty man as the earl. And yet, he seemed to be courting her.
    In preparation for their outing today she was
reading a tome on British history so not to appear completely
unintelligent in front of the earl at the museum.
    Meanwhile, Mama was quietly sitting beside
her on the pink settee. She had no book in her hands. She had no
embroidery in her hands. She had no sewing in her hands. Instead,
she had empty hands and a wistful smile on her face.
    “You look like a lovesick debutante,” Brooke
told her mother, looking up from her book.
    “Well, I cannot help it that I’m so happy. I
mean how many other women can go around saying their daughter will
soon be a countess?” Mama squealed with delight.
    “You do not know that you can even go
around saying that. We are not betrothed after all,” Brooke
remarked, taking all the wind out of Mama’s sails.
    Mama quickly rebounded though. “Poppycock,
you know the earl has his sights set on you. He basically declared
his love to you in front of all the family at dinner. And,” Mama
added, “his words to Papa seemed to indicate that he is most
serious about you. If that isn’t enough to convince you, he asked
you to accompany him to the museum today. I think that clearly
indicates his interest in you.”
    “Maybe he asked me to go because he felt bad
for me after I was so clearly embarrassed in front of him,” Brooke
parried.
    “Stop being silly. The man has a sincere
interest in you. I still don't understand how you could have been
so humiliated by that silly little act. You have never been that
embarrassed about the incident before, so why now?”
    “I don’t know. I just felt like they were
doing it to be cruel,” she said with a shrug.
    “His lordship, the Earl of Townson,” Turner
announced, opening the door to the drawing room, keeping Mama from
countering Brooke’s remark.
    Brooke and Mama stood and curtsied to the
earl and he bowed. Brooke noticed he bowed much lower than
necessary. Maybe he did fancy her after all.
    “Are you ladies ready to be off, then?”
Andrew asked cordially.
    “Yes, my lord, let me grab my shawl,” Mama
answered as Brooke walked over to the earl.
    The trio was almost to the front door when
suddenly the door swung open to reveal a disappointed Madison.
    “Why are you not at the sewing circle?” Mama
asked her.
    “Mrs. Ingram is ill and our meeting was
cancelled,” Madison said glumly.
    Brooke felt genuine sympathy for Madison. She
had no real joy in her life, except sewing. She had fun with her
sisters but her real enjoyment came from helping others, which she
did in the form of sewing for the less fortunate.
    “We’re on our way to the British Museum.
Would you like to come along with us?” Andrew asked Madison.
    “Are you certain that I won’t be intruding?”
Madison asked shyly.
    “No, I’m not certain that you won’t be
intruding, but I’m certain it will be a nice intrusion,” Andrew
replied.
    Brooke’s heart skipped a beat. He was being
so nice to Madison and without being prompted to. It would have
been rude for her or Mama to invite her, but he just did it on his
own. Most people easily dismissed Madison. But not Andrew. He'd
been kinder to Madison than she’d seen any man ever be. Brooke
could have kissed him for it.
    Mama linked arms with Madison and together
the four of them walked to Andrew’s carriage.
    “Thank you,” Brooke said quietly when Andrew
was helping her in the