Page 20 of Aurelia

The earl looked amused. “Arthur is two years older—not a great difference now, but a vast one for children—and I looked up to him. Some people believe that children without any siblings are often over-indulged but still lonely, which causes them to misbehave in a constant bid for attention.” His gaze slid to his daughter and stayed there.

Lady Celsa’s face, already sullen, darkened under her father’s stare.

“I have always believed it is a parent’s fault rather than a child’s when there are behavioral issues,” Aurelia said.

Lord Crewe’s single eye slid back to Aurelia and widened. Rather than look annoyed at her comment, he grinned. “Do you, indeed, Miss Burton? And with several younger siblings I daresay you fancy yourself something of an expert on the matter of child-rearing? I look forward to becoming the beneficiary of your expertise over the coming months.”

“No, not an expert, my lord,” Aurelia said coolly. “But I have had a certain amount of experience.”

If Aurelia had hoped to earn any gratitude from Lady Celsa, the dirty look the girl shot her immediately set her to rights. Lady Celsa wanted her father’s attention—good or bad—and she resented Aurelia getting in her way.

Aurelia ached for the poor girl. She, too, had tried to earn her father’s approval—albeit by behaving exceptionally well rather than misbehaving—until she realized that short of turning into a boy, there was nothing she could do to please the Earl of Addiscombe.

“Are your siblings likewise gifted in the arts, Miss Burton?” Lord Crewe asked as he gestured for the footmen to remove their soup and bring the next course.

“They are each possessed of their own skills, but I am the only one who sketches and paints.”

“Perhaps while you are here you might impart some of your skill to my daughter, whose watercolors could stand improvement.”

“Perhaps her talents lie in another direction,” she said, irked at the man’s casual cruelty. “But I would be pleased to offer her any assistance she might desire.”

Again, her kindness earned her a sardonic look from the master of the house and a glower from his daughter.

“Thank Miss Burton for her kind offer, Celsa.”

Aurelia opened her mouth to say it was her pleasure, but Lady Celsa’s voice stopped her.

“Thank you, Miss Burton.”

Mr. Montgomery, whose presence Aurelia had almost forgotten even though there were but four of them at the table, cleared his throat. “Celsa is an excellent horsewoman,” he said, smiling at the girl.

Lord Crewe ignored his cousin’s comment and said to Aurelia, “Do you ride, Miss Burton?”

“Yes, although it has been a few years.”

“You will find my stables have horses for any rider. Just tell my stablemaster, Silas, what you need and he will see that you are well mounted.

“You are generous, thank you.”

“Not generous, but crafty and self-serving.”

She gave a startled laugh. “How… diabolical that sounds.”

“I want you to be contented while you are here. The happier you are, the more likely I will have my paintings done when I need them.”

“I assure you that I will aspire to finish them regardless of your blandishments, my lord.” Try as she might, Aurelia could not keep the sharpness from her tone.

Yet again, the earl looked pleased by her asperity. “Your work ethic is commendable, Miss Burton. Regardless, I do believe you will be happier and more productive if you feel at home on Crewe. To that end, tomorrow I will show you my island so you can get your bearings.”

“May I come, Papa?”

Lord Crewe turned to his daughter, the air chilling as he did so. “You will benefit from a month away from the stables, my dear. Perhaps it will help you remember your manners.”

“You cannot mean it!”

“Lower your voice, Celsa. I assure you that I mean what I say.” His eye narrowed. “Until you learn how to behave like a young lady rather than a feral beast you will have no riding privileges.”

“No,” Lady Celsa said, the word more of a whisper.