After an awkward moment, Captain Neill put his hand to her elbow again. He guided her between a side table and what might have been a potted palm. His voice sounded strained as he whispered, “How should I introduce you?”
“I find it’s easier if people introduce themselves, so that I can come to know their voices.”
He pulled her back toward the room. Angelica hoped she wasn’t going to spend the entire week getting hauled around by her arm. Surely, it would tear from its socket.
The soles of her shoes touched the edge of a thick carpet. She’d have to remember not to trip over it, in future.
Captain Neill walked further into the room. “Marcus, meet Miss Grey.”
The corresponding voice was warm, friendly, and perhaps a bit amused at his brother’s discomfort. “How do you do, Miss Grey? I’m Marcus Neill, Brody’s brother.”
Angelica smiled. “How do you do, Mr. Neill?”
Before they had time to strike up a word of conversation, Captain Neill pulled her across the expanse of carpet to a space near the windows. The sunlight warmed Angelica’s face. She stood for a moment, hands at her side. Then, he cleared his throat and said, “Mother, I’d like to present Miss Grey.”
The woman was seated. The woman remained seated. She merely lifted her chin in Angelica’s direction. “Miss Grey.”
Angelica resisted the urge to curtsey. She imagined his mother to be a very beautiful woman with hair that had once been the color of his, only now flecked with grey in middle age. Her eyes would be hard, and her mouth would be firm, downturned in displeasure. Mrs. Neill was not impressed with Angelica Grey.
Captain Neill helped her to a seat on the sofa. It was springy, soft. Surely, it was comfortable, but Angelica sat rigid. She could not be at ease. Her mouth was dry, yet when Mrs. Neill offered tea, she declined. Her hands would shake too badly, and she’d make an idiot of herself by spilling it.
No one knew what to say to her. She didn’t know what to say to them.
Suddenly, the dog leapt into her lap.
“Oh, hullo doggie!” Thankful for a distraction, Angelica stroked its fluffy fur. It was small and fussy—a spoiled lapdog that leaned up to lick her mouth.
“Clarence, no!” Captain Neill swatted at it. “No, Clarence.”
She wiped her lips with her hand. “It’s all right. I like dogs. Yes-I-do, yes-I-do!” She stroked Clarence’s short, fuzzy, desperately panting muzzle. He went mad, squeaking and yipping, and rolling over in her lap for belly rubs.
While she entertained the dog, the Neill family fell into conversation, happily ignoring her. Angelica understood—it was awkward to meet anyone for the first time, let alone a random blind woman brought home by one’s brother. She suspected Captain Neill was somewhat…unpredictable…and, perhaps, unreliable. When he showed up with her, she was just another one of his larks. Not to be taken seriously. So, she was happy to play with Clarence, who seemed happy enough to play with her.
As the afternoon passed, Angelica felt Mrs. Neill’s eyes on her, always watching. If Angelica asked a question, gave an answer, or opened her mouth at all, Captain Neill’s mother judged her words.
Angelica made certain she kept her hands still while she spoke, and did not fidget or sway as she listened to the conversation around her. Blind people sometimes moved erratically—most did not even realize they were doing it, or that other people did not do it.
As a girl, her governess had broken her of the habit, but when Angelica was very nervous, she sometimes relapsed. Rocking back and forth was not acceptable behavior for sighted people, and she did not want to draw attention to her weakness, especially with Mrs. Neill looking for any reason to discredit Angelica’s place at her son’s side.
How unfortunate that Angelica felt the need to be on guard. That these people were enemies, out to oppose her happiness. But, perhaps that was only natural. She wondered what her own family would have thought if she’d brought Captain Neill home to meet them.
They’d likely be cautious and concerned about her welfare—were his attentions genuine and honorable? Did he have her best interests at heart? Freddie would have antagonized him the way overprotective brothers always did, but in the end, they’d grow to become friends. Her mother would have fed him cakes and fawned over him. Father would have chiefly wanted to know how the man intended to support his daughter, because her family would settle for nothing less than matrimony for their beloved Angelica.
She never understood just how much she missed her old life until she spent an afternoon with the Neills.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR