A little protective toward Audrey. A good sign. “I should hope my assistance in escorting Mrs. Blake to her home, and being available for support rather than domination, has proven my restraint.”
Miss Collins didn’t look reassured. So she didn’t trust him, and he didn’t trust her. Interesting.
He turned to Audrey. “I did learn something from my steward this morning. While I was gone, there was a need for humble cottages for short-term agricultural workers. Because of this, some cottagers were forced to move into the village and are now living in the close quarters of rooming houses. I know this is the way of the world, but I don’t like it. Perhaps we can discuss the building of more cottages with parish magistrates.”
Audrey smiled. “I’d like that!”
He thought Miss Collins might have wanted to roll her eyes.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Blake?”
A matronly woman with a reticule clutched beneath her ample bosom approached. Robert rose, and when she looked up at him, her lips parted until she collected herself.
“Lord Knightsbridge,” she said, giving a little curtsy.
He bowed. “Ma’am.”
“I feel very forward introducing myself to you.”
“Oh, allow me,” Audrey said. “You’re Mrs. Edgeworth, are you not?”
“I—you remember!” Mrs. Edgeworth said, her expression one of surprise.
“I remember meeting you at the grocer’s. You have a distinctive voice, ma’am. Please allow me to introduce you to Lord Knightsbridge, and to my sister, Miss Collins.”
“Your sister! How wonderful to have family nearby.”
“If only she could be closer, but I am happy regardless.”
“Well, Mrs. Warton mentioned visiting you, and I thought how wonderful it would be to introduce you to more of our parish. Might I send you an invitation to tea?”
“I would love that.”
“Then I will not keep you. It was a pleasure meeting you both, Lord Knightsbridge and Miss Collins.”
And with a little bobbing nod of her head, she turned and left the coffee house.
But after she’d gone, Audrey’s smile faded.
“Is something wrong?” Robert asked.
“I hope her invitation is for after Molly is well. I don’t wish to inconvenience Mrs. Edgeworth by making her have to take care of me.”
Miss Collins looked troubled, and Robert was glad she didn’t speak and reveal that to Audrey.
“It will work out,” he insisted. “I will go with you if Molly cannot.”
But it was the wrong thing to say.
“I do not want people to feel beholden on my behalf,” she said, frowning. “Soon they will all treat me like an invalid, if I cannot be seen to stand on my own.”
“Maybe you’re expecting too much of yourself,” Miss Collins said at last.
Robert grimaced, even as Audrey reddened.
“I expectmuchof myself, Blythe,” she said coolly. “If I didn’t, I would still be sitting with a blanket on my lap in the corner Father put me in.”
“I didn’t mean …” Miss Collins trailed off.
