Lord Yardley shrugged.
“Then I must wonder if you believe the state of matrimony to be a death knell to a gentleman’s heart. I can assure you it is quite the opposite.”
“You say that only because you have found contentment,” Jonathan shot back quickly. “There are many gentlemen who do not find themselves so comfortable.”
Lord Yardley shrugged.
“There may be more than you know.” He picked up his brandy glass again. “And if that is what you seek from your forthcoming marriage to whichever young lady you choose, then why do you not simply search for a suitable match, rather than doing very little other than entertain yourself throughout the Season? You could find a lady who would bring you a great deal of contentment, I am sure.”
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Jonathan spread both hands, one still clutching his brandy, the other one empty.
“Because I do not feel the same urgency about the matter as my mother,” he stated firmly. “When the time is right, I will find an excellent young lady who will fill my heart with such great affection that I will be unable to do anything but look into her eyes and find myself lost.ThenI will know that she is the one I ought to wed. However, until that moment comes, I will continue on, just as I am at present.” For a moment he thought that his friend would laugh at him, but much to his surprise, Lord Yardley simply nodded in agreement. There was not even a hint of a smile on his lips, but rather a gentle understanding in his eyes which spoke of acceptance of all that Jonathan had said. “Let us talk of something other than my present situation.” Throwing back the rest of his brandy, and with a great and contented sigh, Jonathan set the glass back down on the table to his right. “Your other guests have not arrived as yet, I see. Are you hoping for a jovial afternoon?”
“A cheerful afternoon, certainly, although we will not be overwhelmed by too many guests today.” Lord Yardley grinned. “It is a little unfortunate that I shall soon have to return to my estate.” His smile faded a little. “I do not like the idea of being away from my wife, but there are many improvements taking place at the estate which must be overseen.” His lips pulled to one side for a moment. “Besides which, my wife has her cousin to chaperone this Season.”
“Her cousin?” Repeating this, Jonathan frowned as his friend nodded. “You did not mention this to me before.”
“Did I not?” Lord Yardley replied mildly, waving one hand as though it did not matter. “Yes, my wife is to be chaperoning her cousin for the duration of the Season. The girl’s parents are both on the continent, you understand, and given that she would not have much of a coming out otherwise, my wife thought it best to offer.”
Jonathan tried to ignore the frustration within him at the fact that his friend would not be present for the Season, choosing instead to nod.
“How very kind of her. And what is the name of this cousin?”
“Lady Cassandra Chilton.” Lord Yardley’s gaze flew towards the door. “No doubt you will meet her this afternoon. I do not know what is taking them so long but, then again, I have never been a young lady about to make her first appearance in Society.”
Jonathan blinked. Clearly this was more than just an afternoon tea. This Lady Cassandra would be present this afternoon so that she might become acquainted with a few of those within society. Why Lord Yardley had not told him about this before, Jonathan did not know – although it was very like his friend to forget about such details.
“Lady Cassandra is being presented this afternoon?”
His friend nodded.
“Yes, as we speak. I did offer to go with them, of course, but was informed she was already nervous enough, and would be quite contented with just my dear wife standing beside her.”
Jonathan nodded and was about to make some remark about how difficult a moment it must be for a young lady to be presented to the Queen, only for the door to open and Lady Yardley herself to step inside.
“Ah, Lord Sherbourne. How delighted I am to see you.”
With a genuine smile on her face, she waved at him to remain seated rather than attempt to get up to greet her.
“Good afternoon, Lady Yardley. I do hope the presentation went well?”
“Exceptionally well. Cassandra has just gone up to change out of her presentation gown – those gowns which the Queen requires are so outdated and uncomfortable! She will join us shortly.”
The lady threw a broad smile in the direction of her husband, who then rose immediately from his chair to go towards her. Taking her hands, he pressed a kiss to the back of one and then to the back of the other. It was a display of affection usually reserved only for private moments, but Jonathan was well used to such things between Lord and Lady Yardley. In many ways, he found it rather endearing.
“I am sure that Cassandra did very well with you beside her.”
Lady Yardley smiled at her husband.
“She has a great deal of strength,” she replied, quietly. “I find her quite remarkable. Indeed, I was proud to be there beside her.”
“I have only just been hearing about your cousin, Lady Yardley. I do hope to be introduced to her very soon.” Shifting in his chair, Jonathan waved his empty glass at Lord Yardley, who laughed but went in search of the brandy regardless. “You are sponsoring her through the Season, I understand.”
His gaze now fixed itself on Lady Yardley, aware of that soft smile on her face.
“Yes, I am.” Settling herself in her chair, she let out a small sigh as she did so. “I have no doubt that she will be a delight to society. She is young and beautiful and very well-considered, albeit a little naïve.”
A slight frown caught Jonathan’s forehead.
