Lady Fairburn waved a hand, snorting lightly.
“Preposterous! What would be the reason for that?”
Miss Madeley did not flare with any indignation, but only smiled.
“To make him all the more mysterious,” she answered, as Lady Fairburn’s expression of ridicule slowly faded. “He is keeping all knowledge of himself away, so that Almeria will begin to think of him a great deal… even without knowing who he is.”
Much to Almeria’s surprise, her mother immediately agreed, changing her view so rapidly that Almeria had to take a few moments to gather herself.
“Yes… yes!” Lady Fairburn exclaimed, now getting out of her chair. “Yes, your friend is right, Almeria, for when the time comes for him to reveal himself, you will think him an even more engaging fellow than any other!”
Almeria considered this, aware of the twirling excitement growing steadily within her.
“But I am not pursued by a great many gentlemen as yet. There is no need for him to do so.”
“But youshallbe,” her mother declared. “Have you not already received three other bouquets this week? I am certain that more will come in the weeks to follow.” The broad smile on her mother’s face made Almeria frown, for she was not certain that she found as much delight in it as her mother did. She had always imagined that it would be delightful to be pursued by more than one or two gentlemen, but to be pursued by a gentleman who wished to keep himself anonymous was entirely unexpected. “You shall have to keep a watchful eye whenever you step out into society,” her mother instructed, sitting back down and tapping one finger on the arm of her chair to draw Almeria’s attention. “This gentleman could be anyone!”
Almeria rolled her eyes, garnering a fierce look from her mother.
“If he could be anyone, then how am I meant to distinguish who he might be.”
“I am sure we will find a way.” With a slight lift of her chin, her mother smiled indulgently as though Almeria was a child needing encouragement in some small matter. “It will be evident by his way of behaving. No doubt he will seek you out a little more than others might do. You will perhaps catch his eye from across the room, or see something in his smile!”
Almeria wanted to protest that she could not be certain that anyone and everyone who caught her eye was truly interested in her, but wisely chose to remain silent. Her mother was as excited about this as she was. It seemed a little unfair to bring her spirits lower at the moment. Sighing, she spread her hands.
“Very well. I shall be watchful, I promise.”
Miss Madeley let out a giggle, one hand pressed to her mouth. When Almeria lifted an eyebrow, her friend dropped her hand.
“I was thinking how well thought out his plan is, for the gentleman has certainly made himself a good deal more amiable to you already, has he not?”
“I do not understand. I–”
“Well,” her friend interrupted, sitting forward in her chair, her eyes bright. “You may not even know his name, but already your thoughts are filled with him – and indeed, I am sure you have not eventhoughtabout any of the other gentlemen who have sent you flowers thus far.”
Almeria swallowed, fighting the urge to protest.
“Yes, that is quite so. I had not thought of such a thing.”
“Which is why I say he has done very well.” Miss Madeley sat back in her chair and tipped her head to one side. “Whoever this is, he has given it a great deal of consideration and managed to garner your attention, without even revealing his name to you! When the time comes for him to do so, he hopes that you will be so delighted to know it, you may immediately feel a deep affection for him.”
Almeria shook her head, refuting this immediately.
“I am afraid that I cannot agree with you there. I cannot find myself overly affectionate for any gentleman who keeps himself hidden from me. I may end up knowing his name, but I will know nothing about his character.”
Much to her surprise, her mother laughed and threw up her hands, as though Almeria was being ridiculous.
“You may be surprised, my dear.” Her mother’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Although you say your feelings will not be at all involved, I am quite of the belief that your feelings will do precisely what you do not wish them to do, in such a case as this.”
Almeria did not allow herself to be convinced, however, but let her gaze shift across the room to the tulips which the footman had just set on a side table, in an elegant vase. Whether or not what her mother said was correct, she had to admit that she certainly felt a good deal of interest in this gentleman and the flowers he had sent. Regardless of what else occurred, Almeria was quite sure that her thoughts would be filled with questions over who this gentleman was, and why he had chosen to send her tulips without his name attached to it to them.
A smile touched the corners of her mouth. Whoever this person was, he had done very well, for now her thoughts were filled with none but him.
Chapter Four
“And might I sign your dance card?”
Almeria nodded and handed her dance card over to the sixth gentleman who had approached. As the fellow signed it, her eyes caught none other than Lord Coppinger as he made to come towards her. His hands were behind his back, pulling his broad shoulders back a little and the small smile on his face was directed solely at her. Almeria’s heart did the most unusual thing, quickening its pace, which was very strange indeed and not a feeling she found particularly pleasant.
