“Yes, of course, you are right. You have always taken responsibility seriously.”
“It seems we shall both be doing the same thing this Season, then.” A wry laugh came from Lord Coppinger, but Almeria could not join in. “You are here looking for a husband, and I am here looking for a bride. Let us hope that we shall both be successful.”
Almeria tried to repeat the sentiment, but the words stuck to the roof of her mouth and refused to be released.
Thankfully, she was saved from having to say anything further by Lady Yardley’s quick conversation. As she stood, still arm in arm with Lord Coppinger, Almeria found herself in a state of great disarray. Something very strange was occurring within her. Ever since Marcus had set foot into the ballroom, her certainty, her sureness, and even her poise had begun to crumble.
Now, to hear that he was within London to find himself a bride sent her into an ever greater turmoil… but exactly what she wanted to do about it, Almeria did not know.
Chapter Two
“Iassume you saw Lady Almeria last evening?”
Marcus rolled his eyes.
“Yes, I saw her. I believe you also saw me dancing with her, so I do not know why you are asking.”
His friend chuckled.
“Yes, I saw you both. Might I ask if you still have a great affection for her? And, given that you confessed as much to me last Season, when you were absent from London, when do you intend to confess it to her?”
Marcus shook his head.
“You know very well, Trevelyan, that I have no intention of telling her any such thing at present. I have only just become reacquainted with her!”
“And why should that prevent you?”
Marcus threw up his hands, narrowly avoiding an older couple walking arm in arm as they strolled past them in St James’s Park.
“Because she very clearly considers me only as a friend, at present, just as I have always been. I am nothing of any particular interest to her, and indeed she did not express any great hope of seeing me again. There was mention of taking walks here and there, or of stepping out together, not in any capacity. Therefore, I must consider what I am to do.”
Lord Trevelyan turned his head, pausing for a moment and putting one hand out so that Marcus was forced to stop
“Did you, might I ask, ask her any of those things? Did you tell her very much you would like to take tea with her, or did you suggest that you walk together in the park, as you so clearly were waiting for her to do?” Marcus blinked. He tried to give an answer which would satisfy Lord Trevelyan, only to realize that he had come up with no answer whatsoever. His friend chuckled wryly and shook his head. “You cannot expect her to do so if you are unwilling to do the same. Besides it is not usual for a lady to express such hopes.”
“Yes, but she is not just any young lady,” Marcus responded quickly, continuing their walk. “She is Almeria, she is my friend, and we have often spoken to each other in such terms. If she wanted to meet with me, then she would express it.”
“But you are not children any longer.” Lord Trevelyan sighed and shook his head. “You say that it has been some years since you have last seen her, and no doubt, in that time, you also have changed in many ways. Is it not reasonable to think that she has changed also?”
Considering this, Marcus let the answer fall as nothing more than a sigh from his lips. Yes, he considered, it was quite reasonable to think that Lady Almeria might have changed a little, but he did not like to consider it. To his mind and his eyes, from what he had seen thus far of her, she appeared to be very much the same beautiful, engaging, delightful young lady she had always been to him.
“Even so, I think she would still have the same openness with me as we have always shared… but I will not confess my heart to her as yet.”
“And now I think I shall have to convince you to do so.” Sighing heavily, his friend passed one hand over his eyes. “I was hoping that I would not have to, but given you seem to be entirely disinclined towards pursuing the young lady, if I do not persuade you to act, then you will find yourself heartbroken. And then I will be forced to comfort you in as many ways as I possibly can. No doubt you will remain heartbroken for some time, returning to London Season after Season, declaring that there is none as proper, none as delightful, none as beautiful as Lady Almeria. Meanwhile, she will be quite happily settled with another gentleman, with a family of her own, and your heartbreak will not even be known to her.”
This painted a picture that was both bleak and also a little mirthful at the same time, and Marcus ended up chuckling.
“You paint a very dark picture indeed, my friend.”
“I say this only so that I will not have to carry the weight of your heavy-heartedness around with me for the next few years.” Lord Trevelyan grinned, then shook his head. “You will simply have to do a little better, old boy. I would encourage you not to give up on the young lady. Do not give up on your feelings either, for they are of the greatest importance. It is not very often that a gentleman finds himself entirely besotted with a young lady, I can assure you, especially not for so many years.”
Marcus cleared his throat, an uncomfortable prickling running over his skin.
“Sometimes I regret being as open with you as I have been.”
“But I am glad of it. We are as close as two brothers might be. Indeed, I think even my own sibling does not share with me the things you do.”
Smiling, Marcus looked straight ahead.
