“You really wouldn’t mind?”
“It would be good for me, since Lord Hartford and I are going into business together.” That much was certainly true. “I think it would mean a lot to him to see me at his home and to know that I was taking the event seriously. I think it offends him that I don’t come out to social events. I know some of my other business partners are bothered by that fact. So, yes, it would be a good idea for me to attend this ball. And if it would make you happy, I would be pleased to do it.”
She hesitated. “If you’re sure,” she decided, “I would like to go. But I don’t want to feel as if I’m a drain on you.”
“You’re nothing of the sort,” he reassured. “It will only be one evening, after all, and I think we’ll have a good time.”
“Very well, then,” she agreed. “Thank you. I’d like to go.”
“I’ll arrange for Margaret to take you into town for a new gown,” he said.
“She won’t mind?”
“It’s her duty as Dowager Duchess. And besides, she never got to do these sorts of things with Nancy.”
“Why not?”
“Because Nancy isn’t a duchess,” Edward explained. “The way she presents herself in public isn’t as important as it is for you. She can wear what she likes, but you’ve got to project an acceptable image. Margaret will be able to help you make sure you’re giving off the correct impression.”
Lydia nodded. “I suppose that’s fair,” she agreed. “All right. I would appreciate the opportunity to go shopping with Margaret.”
“Wonderful. I’ll let her know.”
He turned his attention to his food, surprised to find that he was actually rather excited about the prospect of attending Lord Hartford’s ball. It wasn’t something he would have imagined himself wanting to do, but knowing what it would mean to Lydia made him feel differently about it.
And that in itself was a surprise. When had he started caring so much about what would make her happy?
It was the way her face had changed when she had commented about his smile. It was the way she had seemed, so clearly, as though she was seeing something she’d never expected to see. Something she considered herself fortunate to see.
What surprised him most of all, he realized, was the knowledge that Lydiacaredwhether or not he was smiling. The implication was that she wanted him to be happy, and when was the last time anyone other than Colin had cared aboutthat? When was the last time Edward himself had cared for his own happiness? He’d told himself day in and day out that happiness wasn’t something that mattered, that what was really important was success. And he was successful, so what did he have to complain about?
But now, this lady—his wife, yes, but ultimately someone who hardly knew him—was telling him that she wanted him to be happy. That she cared how he was feeling.
It made him want to go out of his way to makeherhappy. It made him wonder what he could do to make her life richer and more fulfilled.
This ball would be the first thing, but it wouldn’t be the last. He knew that already. He would be on the lookout for more ways of making sure she was satisfied with their life together.
“I can’t stay at the table for very long this morning,” he apologized. “Maybe only about fifteen more minutes.”
When he had come to breakfast, that had felt like a good thing—a reprieve, an excuse to leave early—but he no longer felt that way. Now, he wished he’d cleared his schedule a bit so that he could stay here with her longer.
But she was still smiling. “It’s all right,” she said. “I’ll see you at dinner, after all.”
“That’s right,” he agreed. “And we’ll have opportunities to speak to each other at every meal, going forward. I’m starting to think this was a good idea, us having our meals together. We should have been doing this from the start.”
“I’m so glad you feel that way,” she said. “That’s exactly how I feel too.”
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
The breakfast was going even better than Lydia had hoped it would. It did not trouble her that Edward had said he would be unable to stay for long—that wasn’t a problem. The point was that he had come when he had promised to come, and he was spending time with her as he’d promised to do. It was the best outcome she could have hoped for.
And now, he was going to take her to a ball! That was something she hadn’t dared to dream of, knowing the kind of man he was. She had assumed that her social opportunities would be limited to what Nancy could provide for her. She had begun to imagine the possibility of accompanying her friend and Colin to parties, but those fantasies were always a bit cold and sad. Would she really be able to enjoy herself, going to a ball on her own like that? Who would she dance with?
Would Edward dance with her at the Hartford ball? That was still a bit difficult to imagine. She wondered if dancing was something he ever did. If they’d had a real courtship, she would know, but as it was, she was left to wonder.
I suppose I’ll find out at Hartford Manor!
Now, the door to the dining room opened, and Margaret came in. She carried herself regally, as she always did, and swept over to her usual seat at the table. “Good morning, Lydia,” she said. “And, Edward! It’s wonderful to see you joining us today, I must say.”
