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Callie gaped at hi that he fibbed Her ire rose, for he was intent on sabotaging whatever he thought she planned

“Robert…” her an, “Oh! I meant to say, Lord Deerwood, please attend to your business”

Her mother failed to hide her deflation, and it made Callie realize that her h the fears which drove her earlier to decide to flee the house party The nudge toward her heart’s desire was still needed

The earl seemed crestfallen “I do suppose we could row on the lake another time, Lady Danby”

Callie touched their mother’s hand “Mama, you’ve wished so very much to row—”

“And father has been telling me how much he wished for news on the coppercan wait”

“The boats are already prepared,” Callie interposed

She glared at hiht not to squirm under the intensity of his stare

“And Lord Prescott is waiting,” the viscount drawled

Their parents’ gazes volleyed between thelance Callie could not interpret Letty see to hide her reaction

Her mother chose that instance to say, “I do know you also enjoy rowing, my dear Why don’t you take the boat out with the viscount? I did not sleep well last night, and I fear it has brought on a reater discomfort”

“Yes, I would be honored to show you the lake, Miss Middleton,” the viscount said, a endeavor”

Callie sed the sound of outrage welling in her throat It wouldn’t do for anyone to see how much he annoyed her Her mother turne

d bright, curious eyes to her, and a heaviness settled in Callie’s sto her mama and the earl into the boat now Perhaps the rain would not co nose had been an anomaly

“Perhaps for a fewthat her agreement was because she wanted to spend a few minutes with the viscount