“I confess it has been both exciting and a little frustrating to know that someone is eager for my prolonged company, but as yet has not revealed themself.”
“I can understand that.” As the others nodded, Lady Sherbourne continued. “Then you are determined to take this situation into your own hands?”
Almeria smiled.
“Yes, I think so, although he very well still may choose not to tell me! At least then I make it clear that I am eager to find out his identity.”
“I think that’s a very charming idea,” Lady Yardley smiled. “Might I be so bold as to ask you – and pray forgive me for asking in public – whether or not you have considered that the sender might be Lord Penforth?”
A soft heat rose in Almeria’s face as her other friends looked at her; some with lifted eyebrows and some smiling quietly.
“I – I am sure you will all be aware that Lord Penforth has been little more interested in my company of late.”
“Lord Penforth is a very reputable gentleman, from what I believe.” Miss Millington remarked as Lady Yardley nodded. “You think that he is the one who has been sending you flowers?”
Almeria shrugged.
“If he is, he has not revealed himself to me as yet.” Her shoulders dropped. “That is why, if itishe, then I would like to hear it from him.”
“And if he is not the one sending the flowers?”
Lady Elizabeth lifted her eyebrows, waiting, and Almeria could only shrug.
“If it is Lord Penforth, then all is well. It isnotthat I would then decide against Lord Penforth in favor of whichever gentleman is sending me these flowers,” she protested, although her voice, even to her, sounded a little weak. “But I would perhaps be a little more restrained in my forwardness, should I know that there is another gentleman eager to seek me out. I should like to know who it is, at the very least.”
From the smiles on every face, it was clear that her friends all understood precisely what it was she was feeling.
“I think it very romantic indeed.” Miss Millington sighed, one hand pressed lightly at her heart. “He is a mysterious gentleman for certain, one who has thought carefully about what he will do to garner your attention.”
“And it has worked exceedingly well,” Lady Elizabeth added as everyone else nodded. “I think we are all agog to discover who the sender is.”
Lady Yardley laughed but then turned to Almeria with a look of interest.
“I understand that your last bouquet was a little different from the previous ones.”
“It was.” Seeing that her friends were all now looking at her, listening to every word she had to say, Almeria smiled. “There were roses within it.”
In an instant, gasps lifted from almost everyone, with some of them pressing their hands to their mouths, clearly aware of the significance of the roses.
“First, purple tulips to show affection and admiration,” Lady Landon murmured softly. “And then roses to signify that the affection has turned to love.”
Hearing her friend speak such a thing, Lady Almeria’s heart began to press hard against her chest, her pulse quickening and her face heating a little. She bit the edge of her lip, uncertain as to whether or not to agree with what her friend had said, only to see everyone else nodding.
“But there is still a warning,” Lady Yardley interrupted gently. “The reason I say such a thing to you– aside from Lady Landon and Lady Sherbourne – is to make it plain that just because a gentleman declares that he is in love with you does not mean that you must therefore give your heart to him in return. There is no obligation there.”
Lady Sherbourne – who had been Lady Cassandra and was the cousin of Lady Yardley, nodded fervently, leading forward little in her chair.
“I certainly should say so. You know we have all agreed to marry for love, and both Lady Landon and I have been very blessed in finding our husbands, but for my part, it would not have been a suitable match had I rushed into an attachment without first acknowledging my feelings.”
Lady Landon nodded.
“I would agree. Whenever a gentleman declares himself or even shows you the beginnings of an interest, you ought to examine your own heart to be certain there is a genuine feeling within you also. Lord Landon and I care for each other so very much and that, I am sure, is what makes our marriage so very contented. To find that you do not love the person you have wed only a short time after your marriage has taken place must be deeply distressing.”
Almeria licked her lips, considering this. While she was not in danger of giving her heart to a gentleman she did not know, the possibility was there still. She ought not to let her thoughts continually be on this mysterious gentleman until she knew for certain who he was.
“Besides which, whoever the gentleman is, he might be the most unhandsome of fellows,” Miss Millington interjected and Almeria immediately laughed, the tension pushing away from her. “Or he may be one who treads on your toes during the dance, or holds you far too close when you waltz, or whose breath is most unbecoming – or indeed, someone who has already found himself a wife.”
With so much laughter running around the room, Almeria found herself smiling, sitting back in her chair with her shoulders relaxing.
