A Sisterly Regard by Judith B. Glad Page B

her
impression of my rudeness. I was not myself when I regained
consciousness after the accident."
    "No, no. Miss Hazelbourne is all that is respectable. Rather a
lively young lady, in fact. There is no joke; I am only amused by the vision
of your lying broken on the roadside, only to be rescued by one of the
Season's hopeful mamas and her darling daughter. What a perfect way to
become noticed by the ladies."
    Wilderlake snorted. "I think I will look in at White's and then
make an early night of it," he said, rising. "My mother has requested my
escort tomorrow morning. I shall see you again soon, Reggie, and will be
interested in viewing you in the role of eternal dancing partner. Good
night."
    "Good night, Herne." As Reggie spoke, his eyelids lowered and
he seemed to fall immediately asleep. Wilderlake left him, chuckling to
himself as he recalled stories about Reggie Farwell's sleepiness. He
recalled one, which had never been confirmed but which he fully believed,
about the time Reggie had been involved in a seduction. Apparently he had
been well on the way to success when he fell asleep. While he slept, one
of his friends had interfered and had won the fair Cyprian's favors for
himself. Reggie had professed himself vastly disappointed, but had done so
with a smile on his face. Scarce two months later, the friend had had to
empty his pockets to buy himself free of what had turned out to be a
ruinously expensive relationship.
    There were other times at the gaming table, when he had fallen
asleep just as he began losing, thus removing himself from the game
without insult to other players--for everyone knew that Reggie Farwell
was prone to uncontrollable sleepiness at all times and could not be
blamed for his strange affliction.
    Wilderlake stepped out into the cold night air. As he buttoned
his greatcoat, he laughed out loud, sure as anything that his friend only fell
into sleep when he chose to do so.

Chapter Five
    The early spring dark had fallen when Lady Gifford and Chloe
arrived home from Richmond.
    "No, my lady," Edgemont said, in reply to Lady Gifford's
inquiry. "His lordship has not returned, nor have Miss Phaedra and Mrs.
Arbuckle." He opened the door to the parlor. "Shall I send up a tea
tray?"
    "Please. Although the day was fine, I took a slight chill on the
journey home. Come Chloe."
    "Mama, I--"
    "Not now. Let us relax until your father arrives. I am still out of
patience with you."
    Chloe curled into a wing-back chair near the fireplace, chewing
her lip. Her mama was being unreasonable. She had done nothing wrong.
Nothing at all. It was the earl's fault, for luring her into the shrubbery. If
he was any sort of a gentleman, he would tell his mother so, and she
would realize that Chloe was blameless. Tomorrow she would ask him;
surely he would do what she asked.
    The door opened and her father entered. "What is it, love?
Edgemont said you appeared overset when you came in."
    "As I should be. My lord, your daughter may have disgraced
herself in the eyes of the ton , despite my many warnings. She
absented herself from the party in the company of Lord Everingham for
the better part of an hour this afternoon. Unfortunately, when she
returned, that odious Lady Everingham called them both to task in a loud
and penetrating voice. Everyone now knows about it, and many will
believe the worst."
    Her father turned a worried face to her. "Well, Chloe, you have
landed yourself in a fine mess. Is there any reason for us to be
concerned?"
    "What do you mean, Papa?"
    "Did that young idiot make advances to you?"
    "Oh, no, Papa. He was entirely circumspect. I promise you we
just walked about. He did compliment me on my appearance, but his
behavior never went beyond what is respectable." She mentally crossed
her fingers, remembering the way he had kissed her hand.
    "I saw him holding your hand for an unconscionable time when
you were introduced. Do you mean to tell us that he did not recapture it
once you were alone?" her mother