“Yes, I was absent last Season, although I very much wished to be here.”
Almeria wrestled against a tightness in her throat. Her heart was beating rather painfully, her hands clasping together, her fingernails digging into her palms. Surely it could not be that Lord Coppinger was already wed?
And if he is, why am I so upset by even the thought?
“There had been unexpected flooding in some of my fields,” he continued, looking directly at Lady Yardley. “My tenants are most important to me, and given that my livelihood is dependent upon how successful my estate is, I spent the spring and summer doing all that I could to make certain that we could salvage as much as possible.” He shrugged. “I did not manage to save all of my crops, but we did save enough for a satisfactory harvest.”
So loud was the breath of relief that came from Almeria, both Lord Coppinger and Lady Yardley looked at her at once – Lady Yardley with a little more concern than Lord Coppinger, certainly, but Almeria quickly then had to turn the sound into a cough. Her face flooded with heat as she flapped one hand in Lord Coppinger’s direction, pretending that all was well.
“Forgive me, I lost my breath for a moment.” It was the most foolish of explanations, but it was the one she gave, nonetheless. For a little longer, they both studied her, with Lord Coppinger speaking words of concern, but Almeria quickly smiled just as the announcement for the waltz spread out across the ballroom. “The waltz.” Keeping her smile fixed, she accepted Lord Coppinger’s arm and then smiled at Lady Yardley. “Pray excuse me, Lady Yardley.”
“But of course.” Lady Yardley smiled and waved one hand as though pushing them away. “It was very nice to meet you, Lord Coppinger.”
“As I was glad to meet you,” he murmured, before taking Almeria away.
Still embarrassed by her reaction to Lord Coppinger’s explanation about the previous Season, Almeria remained silent as he led her to the center of the room. Quite why she had responded so was completely inexplicable, and yet that sensation lingered still. She was so utterly relieved to hear that he had not been absent because of a bride or a family of his own. She had responded in much the same way when Lady Yardley had suggested that one of her friends might be introduced to Lord Coppinger, finding herself recoiling inwardly, and then overcome with relief when the matter had been dropped and pushed away. The strange sensation turned into an inexplicable one, for it was not something she had ever needed to consider before.
“You are a little quiet, Almeria. I do hope that you are quite well.” Lord Coppinger turned to face her, releasing her from his arm. “If you are unwell or fatigued, we do not have to dance the waltz.”
“Certainly we do!” Almeria’s heart stung at the thought of being set aside from him. “No, I shall hear none of it, Marcus. I am perfectly well, I assure you.”
His gaze caught hers for a moment, still obviously concerned for her – and her breath caught in her chest, seeing the swirling in his grey eyes. The next second, however, he smiled and nodded, and the moment passed, assuring her that she was not about to be left abandoned at the side of the ballroom while he stepped out with another.
When did I become so eager to be in his arms?
“I do not remember the last time we stepped out together.” The music began and he bowed as Almeria curtsied before he stepped forward to take her into his arms. “Do you recall we often had to learn, together, how to dance the steps? My dance master was deeply frustrated with us both!”
Remembering it all with perfect clarity, Almeria could not help but laugh as they began to step across the floor in perfect unison with one another.
“That is because we did not take his instruction seriously at all,” she reminded him as he grinned down at her. “I think he found us most displeasing, for we did nothing but laugh and fall about, rather than heed anything he told us.”
“But he taught as well enough, for see how splendidly we waltz now!”
Almeria’s heart was overflowing with a happiness she had not experienced in some time. The way that they stepped out together reminded her of the past, of the many joyous hours she had spent in his company. Lord Coppinger was a fine gentleman, and she was glad to be able to call him a friend.
“I have missed you.”
Quite where those words came from Almeria did not know, for she had not anticipated speaking them aloud. But yet they lingered, and she watched his eyes, saw his gaze soften as his arm tightened just a little more around her waist.
“I have missed you also, Almeria. More than I can express.”
No further conversation passed between them and, as the dance came to its conclusion, Almeria found herself smiling up at her friend. She did not want the moment to end so quickly and hoped it would linger, but before she knew it, his hand was gone from hers. He released her gently from his embrace, and they stood apart from each other once more. Lord Coppinger inclined his head, as did she – and then he offered his arm, and their time together was at its end. Taking his arm, Almeria asked him to take her back towards Lady Yardley, fully aware that her mother and father were standing somewhere nearby, but they were quite contented for Lady Yardley to be her companion for the present. It allowed her mother to gossip with her many friends, and her father no doubt had already taken himself to the card games which were happening in another part of the house.
“Do you intend to stay in London for the rest of the Season?”
Lord Coppinger nodded, glancing at her as they ambled slowly forward.
“Certainly, I have every intention of remaining here. After all, a gentleman must find himself a wife, must he not?”
Stumbling, Almeria flushed as Lord Coppinger caught her.
“Forgive me, I…” His words had hit her hard, and she shook her head. “I am quite all right.” A quick look in his direction caught his concerned gaze. “You truly seek a bride?”
Lord Coppinger nodded to her.
“Of course I do, Almeria. I must. It is the requirement of every gentleman if he is to perpetuate his family line and pass on his title. Thus, I must have an heir.”
Something tied itself into a knot in her throat, and she swallowed it away, forcing it down as she attempted to smile.
