She shrugged and then looked away, her cheeks pinking, perhaps realizing that she had given away more than Almeria had wanted.
Lord Coppinger’s now dark gaze swung slowly back towards Almeria, his jaw tightening a little.
“I assume that you are speaking of Lord Penforth.” There was no explanation as to why she could not lift her gaze to his but, try as she might, her eyes seemed determined to look nowhere other than over his shoulder and thus, she merely nodded. “Well, I shall not be interrupted by him again.” Lord Coppinger lifted his chin, seeming angry now. “Almeria, I must speak with you. Privately, in fact.” Glancing around the room, he scowled. “Though it is not particularly easy to find a private space here in the ballroom, somewhere a little away from listening ears while remaining within sight of your mother.”
“You need not tell me I ought not to have written in ‘The London Ledger’ or give me some warning about Lord Penforth.” Almeria’s lips twisted as he shot her a sharp look. She did not much like speaking to him this way, but his concern was much too great. “I am well able to take care of my own affairs in that regard. I understand that you are concerned for me, and I am certain that all you wish for is my happiness, in much the same way as I think of that for you also. Yet regardless, I am able to conduct affairs of the heart quite without your contribution – though I thank you for it.”
Instantly, Lord Coppinger stepped closer and clasped her other hand with his. Almeria’s breath tied itself in her chest as she gazed up into his stormy grey eyes. There was something different about him here, in this moment. Something which sent her heart into a flutter.
“It is not advice I wish to give you, Almeria. It is–”
“I have been found out!”
With a loud exclamation, Lord Penforth swept forward, practically knocking Lord Coppinger back as he swooped into a low bow before grasping her hand – which Lord Coppinger had only just dropped.
“Your determination has found me, then. I would have kept my secret a little longer, but alas, your note in ‘The London Ledger’ has forced me to reveal all.”
Almeria froze in position, the air sticking in her throat as she looked directly back into Lord Penforth’s face. His eyes were open wide, a broad smile across his face as he beamed back at her, clearly waiting for what he expected would be a delighted response.
Even though she had suspected her bouquets might very well be from Lord Penforth, the knowledge did not bring her any joy. Her heart did not leap with great exultation, her face did not set itself with smiles, nor could she find anything to say, for fear her seeming disappointment would echo itself through her words. Instead, she simply stood quietly as Lord Penforth gave a somewhat raucous laugh and clapped his hands together, as though overwhelmingly relieved that he could now tell her the truth.
“You mean to say thatyousent all the bouquets?”
Miss Madeley sent a quick look to Almeria before turning her gaze to Lord Coppinger as Lord Penforth acknowledged that yes, this was so. Almeria cast a glance towards Lord Coppinger, then looked away, only to drag her gaze directly back to her friend. For whatever reason, Lord Coppinger was breathing heavily. His hands were balled into fists at his sides, his eyes flashing, his chin lifted and a scarlet red flush slowly covering his face. She could not understand it. Surely his dislike of Lord Penforth was not all that great?
“Lord Penforth, you are declaring yourself responsible for the bouquets Lady Almeria has been sent?”
Lord Coppinger appeared to be truly furious. His jaw was clenched, his eyes narrowed as he stuck his hands to his sides, practically demanding that Lord Penforth answer.
When Lord Penforth eagerly exclaimed that yes, it was he who was responsible, Lord Coppinger let out a furious exclamation and swung to one side, as though that was the only way he could damp down his emotions.
Almeria did not know what to say. There was no joy in the news that Lord Penforth was the one responsible for her flowers, and the way that Lord Coppinger was behaving was somewhat embarrassing. But before she could find something to say, Lord Coppinger had swung back towards Lord Penforth.
“How are you to prove that this is the truth? How will she know that you truly are the one responsible?” Almeria closed her eyes. In two days, no other gentleman had come to speak to her as yet. There was no need for Lord Coppinger to be so particular. “Well?” Lord Coppinger demanded, pushing out one finger towards Lord Penforth. “Perhaps you might tell her how many different flowers there were in her last bouquet, and what they were?”
Seeing Lord Penforth’s eyebrows lift in obvious surprise at Lord Coppinger’s question made Almeria all the more embarrassed.
“It would be easy enough to recall, knowing in my heart that roses are the flowers Lady Almeria desires the most.”
Lord Penforth grinned, sending a knowing smile in Almeria’s direction, but she only flushed, looking away. She must have mentioned to Lord Penforth at some point that her favorite flowers were roses, although she could not recall doing so.
Her brow furrowed, only for her to realize that every young lady in London would want to receive roses because of what they symbolized. That was what Lord Penforth meant.
But do I want Lord Penforth’s admiration and affection?
The question was not one she was easily able to answer for, looking first at Lord Penforth and then to Lord Coppinger, Almeria found her emotions blowing around wildly. It was as though she could not make sense of the moment, as if she could not say exactly what it was she felt in this situation. If Lord Coppinger was absent, would she feel any better? Or was it mere surprise over Lord Penforth’s admission to her?
“We must dance,” Lord Penforth swept into a bow. “I do hope that you have some dances remaining, Lady Almeria?”
Before she could answer, Lord Coppinger let out a snort of derision.
“One would have thought you might have made every effort to come to speak with Lady Almeria a good deal more quickly than this if you are so eager for her company.” He rolled his eyes. “Do you not know how much her presence is sought after by the gentlemen of London?” His lip curled. “Neither have you answered my question as to how many there were of each of the two particular types of flower you sent in the last bouquet.”
Sighing heavily, Almeria passed one hand over her eyes.
“Lord Coppinger, you need not defend me. I am quite able to make such judgments for myself.” Seeing his narrowed eyes suddenly flare, she shrugged one shoulder lightly, then looked at Lord Penforth. “No, Lord Penforth, I have no dances remaining at present. Pray do forgive me.”
And so saying, she took Miss Madeley’s arm and stepped away from both gentlemen. The latter she had said had been a lie, of course, for she certainlydidhave some dances left on her dance card, she just did not wish to dance with Lord Penforth – and neither did she want to linger in his company when Lord Coppinger was there also. Seeing him standing there with that dreadful fury on his face had confused and embarrassed her, to the point that all she could think of doing was escape.
