“That is precisely what Miss Madeley said also,” she murmured quietly. “Which is another reason for it not to have been Lord Hayling. I was foolish to be concerned.” Lord Coppinger snorted and Almeria’s lips curved, and she laughed with him. As she did so, the sense of contentment which came with simply being in his company became all-encompassing. It filled her right through and she leaned more closely against him, glad that they were back amongst the shadows of the room, a little hidden from the prying eyes of others. “There is something else I might do.” Considering aloud, she tipped her head. “Lady Yardley, as you know, has ‘The London Ledger’.” She lifted one shoulder as Lord Coppinger’s smile suddenly cracked. “Mayhap I might use it to beg whoever has sent me these flowers to come and reveal their name to me.”
Lord Coppinger frowned, his grey eyes now a little set.
“Is there such a need for that as yet? You have only had two bouquets so far. Who is to say whether there shall be more?” Slowly, Almeria nodded, catching the edge of her lip between her teeth. Had she been overly confident about this? “And even if more flowers arrived, would it be wise to let all of society know? You know how society delights to talk and whisper.” He pulled his arm away from hers gently but smiled as he did so. “Even now I can see that Lady White has been watching us for some minutes, which is why I must now stand away from you.”
A small sigh escaped her, seeing precisely what he meant by such warnings.
“I should not want to become the object of society’s attention, certainly.”
“Then do be cautious,” Lord Coppinger replied softly. “Whoever this gentleman is, I am sure that he will reveal himself to you in time.” One shoulder lifted as his lips curved into a smile. “After all, your mother, Miss Madeley, and I think that he is doing this to gain your attention, to have you think on him and wonder about him. No doubt he will inform you precisely as to who he is when he thinks that the time is right, in the hope that you will be overjoyed to finally learn his name.”
Almeria immediately let out a loud groan, which brought a look of genuine surprise to Lord Coppinger’s face. When she rolled her eyes and tipped her head to the left, his look of astonishment was replaced with a grin as he realized who was now approaching.
“It seems it is time for me to step away,” he murmured as Almeria groaned again. “Hush!” Grinning, he leaned closer. “He will hear you!”
Inclining his head farewell, Lord Coppinger stepped away and Almeria allowed her eyes to follow him for a short while. There was something different about Lord Coppinger. Yes, she was content in his company, and yes, she often had very enjoyable conversations with him, but there was something more to their connection now, something deeper.
She did not have time to wonder about what it was, however, for Lord Hayling came directly towards her, inclined his head, and then offered her his arm.
“It is time for us to dance, Lady Almeria!”
“So it is.” Silently praying that he would not stand on her feet, Almeria stepped out to the dance floor on Lord Hayling’s arm – but her thoughts were not focused on him. Instead, she found herself searching out Lord Coppinger as she walked, thinking on the strange, lingering awareness of him, questions continuing to rise in her mind.
What was it about him that had changed?
Chapter Five
Marcus smiled as Lord Trevelyan came to sit down beside him.
“Good afternoon, old friend.”
“Good afternoon.”
Lord Trevelyan lifted an eyebrow.
“So how does your little plan go at present?”
“You mean with Lady Almeria?” Lord Trevelyan sighed, looking straight back at him as Marcus chuckled. “Very well, I shall tell you.” Sitting back in his chair, he spread out both hands. “Thus far I have sent three bouquets, with a fourth planned for tomorrow. I think I might add roses to it very soon.”
His friend nodded, smiling lightly.
“It is going very well, then.”
Considering for a moment, Marcus lifted his shoulders.
“It is very hard to say, given that I do not know what Lady Almeria is thinking. She may have given up trying to work out who it is already.”
His friend let out a bark of laughter, wiggling one finger in Marcus’ direction.
“That I donotbelieve, given the brightness in your eyes. You were speaking to her of the bouquets, were you not? I saw you in deep conversation some nights ago, I am sure.”
“I am often in deep conversation with Almeria,” Marcus protested, but he could not keep the grin from spreading across his face. “Very well. I will admit to you that I spoke to Lady Almeria about the flowers, although she was the one who brought them into the discussion in the first place. From what I understand, she is highly intrigued as to who has sent them to her – though I cannot say whether she still feels that way.”
“Then when will you tell her all?” Marcus’ smile spiraled away from his face. He had been so busy sending bouquets of flowers that he had not given a single thought to when he would confess. “You do not know?” Hearing the incredulous tone of his friend’s voice, Marcus rolled his eyes and scowled. “Surely you must tell her soon. What happens if some other gentleman snatches her away? You must not delay too long. She will grow tired of the mystery otherwise.”
Taking a deep breath, Marcus thought about this for a moment, then nodded.
“I shall tell her within a fortnight.”
