A Sense of Entitlement (27 page)

“Yes, thank you for asking, Dr. Grice,” I said, the words in my mouth sounding so formal. “Newport has proven a rich hunting ground for new specimens. I could show you sometime if you’d like.”

“My son has no interest in your plant collection,” Julia Grice said.

“You’re wrong, Mother,” Walter said. “Many medicines have their basis in botanicals. Besides, I’m most interested in everything Miss Davish does.”

“Walter!” his mother exclaimed. “Be careful what you say. Such a declaration could be misconstrued.”

“Very well, then I must be more clear.” Walter stood up and walked over to me. Miss Lizzie and Miss Lucy stopped their conversation and watched as he offered me his hand. I took it and he assisted me from my chair. He placed my hand on his arm and escorted me across the room to face his mother.

“Mother,” he said. “I don’t think you and Miss Davish have been properly introduced.”

“Walter,” his mother said, trying hard to avoid looking at anyone in the room. “This is most unbecoming. You are needlessly misleading this poor girl. Please sit down.”

“Miss Davish, this is Mrs. Winston Grice, my mother,” Walter said, ignoring his mother’s reprimand. “And Mother,” he said, gazing into my eyes and bringing my hand to his lips, “this is Miss Hattie Davish, the woman I love.”

Miss Lizzie, dropping her second half-eaten crumpet into her lap, butter-side down, clapped her hands and giggled like a schoolgirl. “Oh, Walter, dear,” she said. “I knew it.”

“It’s about time,” Miss Lucy added.

“Is this true, Walter?”

“Yes, Mother, it is.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, very sure.”

“Very well,” Mrs. Grice said. I didn’t know what to say. Mrs. Grice took a deep breath and finally looked at me. She didn’t offer her hand, she didn’t smile, but suddenly I knew what Mrs. Mayhew must’ve felt when Mrs. Astor’s calling card finally arrived when Walter’s mother nodded slightly and said, “Then I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Davish.”

“And I yours, Mrs. Grice.” And I meant it. I’d never been more pleased in my life.

KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2014 by Anna Loan-Wilsey

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

eISBN-13: 978-0-7582-7639-1
eISBN-10: 0-7582-7639-7
First Kensington Electronic Edition: July 2014

ISBN: 978-0-7582-7638-4