He still could not believe he had made such a suggestion to Lady Leah, but there was no regret in his mind as he thought through their brief encounter. She was beautiful, she was amusing, she was in need of his assistance, and though she had been somewhat shy, he could see the witty spirit beneath, just waiting to emerge. If nothing else, he was quite certain they would become firm friends over the course of the London season, and he always welcomed the prospect of new friends.
A few moments later, he realized his mother had not said a word. She simply sat there, arms still folded across her chest, chin still tucked into the ruffles of her chemisette, eyes as wide as saucers.
“Are you well, Mother?” he asked, as anxious as he was amused.
“You have… found someone?” she managed to squeak.
He smiled. “Did you think I was just dancing with a stranger to annoy you?”
“Well… yes!” his mother replied, emerging from her hunched form. “I have never seen that woman before, nor have I heard you mention any young lady. Indeed, you have not even told me who she was.”
Nathaniel held up a finger. “No, you did notaskwho she was. You were too furious about me ignoring Lady Kate, who I am certain will be married to a respectable, well-connected, boring gentleman by the end of the season.” He paused for dramatic effect. “But Lady Leah is precisely the sort of lady that interests me. We have many things in common, we share similar thoughts and pastimes, and the moment I met her, it was as if we had known one another forever. Someone I could… rely on.”
He swallowed the laugh that threatened to bubble up, for while his words were not untruths, only he knew how poignant they truly were. In seeing his mother’s shocked expression, he knew he had done the right thing by making the offer to Leah; it was going to be the perfect ruse. And he would have an entire season without being bothered by his mother’s marriage schemes.Blissful,he sighed inwardly.
He could not deny that it was also somewhat refreshing to not disappoint his mother and to not have to convince her that he was never going to marry as he had done in the past. This way, he could have the best of both worlds.
“But you did not even introduce me,” his mother protested. “You should have introduced me! I did not even get to look at her properly or ask about her family or find out what her character is like.”
Nathaniel shrugged. “Again, I do not mean to be unkind, but that is your fault. You had ample opportunity to approach, but you remained in the corner with Lady Kate, scowling at me.” He paused. “And I would have written to Lady Kate, explaining the situation, if you had not insisted on bringing her to the ball. Her pride would have been spared, and all would have been well, but you will not be told.”
Abigail pursed her lips, contemplating. “Until I have met this girl myself, I shall still believe that my choice was better. Lady Kate is an exemplary young lady. But this Lady Leah—if she had any politeness at all,shewould have asked to approachme.”
“I did not tell her you were there,” Nathaniel replied. “Considering how viciously you were glaring at me, I thought it best not to frighten the first lady who has piqued my affections in years.”
Abigail sat chastened. “But youwillintroduce me, will you not?”
“In good time,” Nathaniel said.
“And if I find her to be unpleasant or unworthy, will you consider Lady Kate again?”
Nathaniel rolled his eyes, realizing he would never truly be able to win. “No, I will not.” He met his mother’s gaze. “As you once told me, you do not choose who you love.”
It was beneath him to dredge up something she had said in a moment of desperation, but he needed the conversation to end swiftly. After all, Leah had not yet agreed to the ruse, and he sensed he had some persuading ahead of him if he was to ensure a peaceful season of avoiding marriage.
His mother dropped her chin to her chest, half hiding in the ruffles once more. “Arrange a meeting soon,” was all she said in a quiet, sad tone as she turned her gaze back to the darkened world that rolled by.
I will,he answered silently,just as soon as I have convinced Leah to play along.
After her abrupt departure, he had a feeling thatthatwould be the hard part. Perhaps, for her, that one night had been enough to serve its purpose. And considering what Jonathan had done to her, Nathaniel supposed, it would not be a simple thing to get her to take such a leap of faith.
Luckily—or unluckily for her—he relished a challenge.
* * *
“I simply do not know what to do with you!” Leah’s father raged, pacing back and forth in front of the mantelpiece in the “Grand Drawing Room”—a room that, at least in Leah’s opinion, was solely used for her reprimands. They never sat there for an evening, never entertained guests there—unless they were particularly important and honored—and no one was allowed into it aside from her father.
Leah stifled a yawn, rubbing her tired eyes. “You do not need to do anything with me. As far as I am concerned, I have done nothing wrong, and I should very much like to sleep.”
“Sleep?” Ezra roared. “It is two o’clock in the afternoon, Leah!”
Leah leaned back against the soft velvet of the settee, her eyelids heavy. “ButIdid not sleep at all last night. Phoebe and the girls were terribly unwell and needed constant care. The physician came just after dawn, and though Phoebe offered me a bedchamber, I thought it best to return before you sent constables after me.”
“You were supposed to be at the ball!” her father snapped, running an exasperated hand through his thinning gray and brown hair. “You absconded from said ball, embarrassing me and your mother most abhorrently!”
Leah cast him a withering look. “Who noticed?”
“Pardon?”
