He nearly swore aloud as his friend tilted his head, his brows lifting as if he were considering whether or not this was too great a length of time.
“Let us hope that she is not persuaded to be courted by another fellow while you wait to reveal your heart.”
This thought was almost too worrisome for words, and Marcus looked away, reaching for his brandy and taking a sip so that he might bring a little warmth back into his chest. He had been pleased by how Almeria had spoken of the bouquets he had sent thus far, delighting in her questions and her wonderings, and finding his heart leaping at the thought of how much joy his flowers had brought her. Now, however, he realized that he needed to be a good deal more considered when it came to what he would do next. Almeria would have to know about his flowers, and therefore, his feelings, very soon. If he did not tell her, then what Lord Trevallyan had suggested might actually happen, and that was a serious thought indeed.
“I shall have roses added to the next bouquet.” Lord Trevelyan frowned and opened his mouth, but then shook his head, saying nothing. Mayhap he thought that Marcus should have added roses to his flowers already, but Marcus had not yet felt ready. He had not wanted to rush the situation with Almeria and thus had been very careful indeed. Perhaps, he considered, a little too careful. “If you will excuse me, I must be going.”
Getting to his feet, he caught his friend’s look of surprise.
“Wherever are you going in such a rush?”
“To act on your advice!” Marcus responded. “I must go at once to the shop and have roses added to the next bouquet. I cannot delay even a moment longer!”
* * *
“I confessI was quite delighted when you agreed to walk with me this afternoon.” Marcus’ heart had lurched when Almeria had warmly agreed to walk with him in St James Park. She had seen it as nothing more than walking with a friend, of course, while he was overwhelmed with such a great sense of delight, it was difficult not to allow it to express itself in his features. “There is so much I must learn about you and you about I.” Lady Almeria slipped her arm through his and, quite unexpectedly, a great and overwhelming heat flooded Marcus’ frame. “We have been so many years apart, and while our letters have been numerous, I confess I have made them a little less frequent of late.”
“I shall not hold that against you.” Laughing at her wry grin, Marcus smiled at her, thinking how beautiful she was with her swirling hazel eyes smiling back at him. Did she know how much she offered him when she bestowed her smile upon him? “Tell me, how does it go with your estate? I understand that you had a good many responsibilities to assume when you first took on the title - as well as enduring your year of mourning. I am assuming that you miss your father a great deal.”
Marcus nodded slowly.
“I do, certainly, for he was a wise man. However, in his later years, he did not take as much care of the estate as he ought to have. I now find myself with a little more responsibility than I had at first anticipated, for it has taken the last two summers to bring the estate back to its full potential. Thankfully, the crops are flourishing, my tenants are happy, and all is now well.”
“You were always a very responsible and considerate sort. I am sure that your father would be very proud of you.”
Something tight grew in Marcus’ chest and he paused in their conversation for a moment, unable to speak, such was the great sense of loss that washed through him again. His father had been the only parent he had ever known, and they had shared a great bond, a deep connection which had been a great loss to him when the time came for it to be severed.
“My father always made certain to take his responsibilities with all seriousness, and I intend to do the same. I will not allow my family name to be lost, which is why you find me now here in London.”
“Ah yes, I had quite forgotten you were intending to find yourself a bride this Season.” Suddenly there was no longer a smile on Lady Almeria’s face. Instead, she turned her head, looking away from him as if she wanted to hide her expression. “And have you had any success in that regard?”
Marcus cleared his throat, uncertain as to why there had come a strange tension between them.
“No, I have not, but I have not been particularly specific in my search as yet. It will come in time, I am sure.”
“In time?” Lady Almeria laughed suddenly and shook her head. “I think you will find yourself without a bride, come the end of the Season, if you continue to believe that you have time to be tardy! Does not a young lady require a time of interest, where walks are taken and cups of tea shared?Thencomes courtship and after that, a betrothal - provided that you are both as contented with one another as you believe.” Marcus was about to say that he had no requirement for such a thing, given that his heart was already committed to hers, but he chose instead to remain quiet. Now was not the time to declare himself, but all the same, it took great strength for him not to speak a word. He remained silent for so long that Lady Almeria stopped walking, turning to face him a little more, her fingers now curling around his wrist. “I do hope I did not insult you.”
“No, not in the least.” Reassuring her quickly, he smiled. “It is only that I find myself considering what you said. You are quite right, mayhap I should make a good deal more of my current situation and act with greater haste. I must think about what I ought to do.”
They walked in silence for a few moments. Lady Almeria broke the quiet, her voice was a little strained this time, a slight catch in her throat as she was not quite certain that she wanted to ask the question she spoke.
“Might I ask if you have an interest in any particular young lady as yet?”
Drawing a great breath of air into his lungs, Marcus licked his lips before he answered.
Should I tell her now?
“I certainly have consideration,” he replied quietly. “I will not pretend that I have no interest in anyone. I confess, in fact, I have a somewhatfixedinterest, but whether or not I will permit myself to pursue it, I am not certain as yet.”
“Oh.”
Her voice was very small, and she turned her head away again, so that the bonnet hid her features from him. Marcus could not quite understand her reaction, having expected her to be either interested or pleased to hear that he had such feelings. Again, silence came between them. It was almost an unnatural silence – not one he enjoyed, and certainly not akin to any previous ones which they had shared. There was a hint of strain, as though a wall had built itself between them, hiding them each from the other’s view.
I should ask her the same.
Tension coiled in his stomach as the words came to his lips, pushing themselves forward until finally, they made their way to Lady Almeria’s ears.
“And have you any gentlemen of interest as yet? I see you very often surrounded by gentlemen during balls and soirees and the like. I am sure that some of them are very eager for your company!”
