Immediately, Lord Coppinger grinned.
“That does not come as any sort of surprise.”
His elbow nudged her gently as Almeria immediately giggled, shaking her head at his teasing.
“You mean to say that you think I should expect to get flowers from many gentlemen,” she suggested, seeing his grey eyes alight with mirth. “Very well. While you are very kind to suggest so, there is something unusual about two of the bouquets which I have received thus far.” Lord Coppinger said nothing, waiting for her to finish her explanation, and Almeria continued with relish. “Thus far of the bouquets which I have received, two have had no note attached. Therefore, whoever has sent them has kept his name from me.” To her surprise, Lord Coppinger did not appear to be in any way surprised at this. He did not frown. He did not even lift his eyebrows towards his hairline. Rather, he merely nodded as if such a thing was to be expected. “You have perhaps heard of gentlemen doing such a thing as this already, I think?”
He shook his head.
“No… I was merely thinking about why a gentleman might do such a thing. It could be that the note was lost on the way, could it not?”
Almeria shrugged.
“Mayhap, but both bouquets have been of tulips, and neither have had a note. My friends and my mother think it is deliberate.”
A chuckle broke from his lips, making Almeria frown.
“Now I know why you appeared concerned – it is because you fear that it is Lord Hayling who is sending those flowers to you, do you not?”
Her eyebrows lifting, Almeria leaned into him.
“How is it that you know me so well, Marcus?” she asked, lapsing back into that old familiarity. “Yes, indeed. I fear very much that Lord Hayling is the gentleman who has sent me those flowers. If it is him, then what shall I do?”
“I think that you give Lord Hayling a little too much credit.” Seeing her open her mouth to ask what he meant, Lord Coppinger quickly began to explain. “To send flowers without a note with a particular reason in mind would require a good deal of thought and consideration. I believe that is something which Lord Hayling lacks the capacity for, I am afraid.”
Letting out a small gasp, the corner of her mouth lifting just a little, Almeria loosened her grip on Lord Coppinger’s arm.
“Good gracious, Lord Coppinger. Are you truly attempting to tell me that Lord Hayling lacks good sense? That he is not the wisest of gentlemen?”
Lord Coppinger immediately began to stutter, only for him to roll his eyes and chuckle when he realized that she had been teasing him, for Almeria could not keep her grin hidden.
“You are already aware of Lord Hayling’s reputation, then?”
“I am.” With a shrug of her shoulders, she looked out across the dance floor. “You said that he is not the wisest of fellows but that, to me, does still suggest that he might have sent such flowers. He could have simply forgotten to write a note.” She caught her breath, her eyes widening suddenly. “Mayhap he forgot that he already sent me one bouquet, and thereafter sent me another!”
Lord Coppinger laughed and put his other hand on her arm for a moment in a comforting gesture, turning himself towards her a little more.
“Mayhap, but I believe it is highly unlikely. Lord Hayling has not shown any particular preference to you as yet, has he?” Biting her lip, Almeria shook her head, realizing slowly that she wanted this unknown gentleman to be someone of worth. She certainly did not want it to be someone akin to Lord Hayling! “Besides which, Lord Hayling is a gentleman who flits from one lady to the next. He would not have given any thought to the sort of flowers that he might send to a lady such as yourself, for tulips have significance, do they not?” Tsking lightly, he shook his head. “I am sure he was not the one who sent them to you.”
Her fears slowly subsided, and Almeria let out a long breath.
“Might I ask – do most gentlemen of thetonknow the meaning behind the different flowers they might send to a lady?”
“I should hope so!” Lord Coppinger exclaimed, his eyes dancing. “Save for the gentlemen such as Lord Hayling, however.”
Considering this, Almeria nodded slowly.
“As I have said, I was sent a bouquet of tulips, which I believe symbolize friendship but given they were purple also, I was told it speaks of an appreciation of me.” Disliking the fact that she was speaking of herself in such a way, she took a breath. “Whoever this gentleman is, mayhap he was acquainted with me last Season. I suppose that cannot be said of Lord Hayling.”
“Indeed.” Lord Coppinger smiled and squeezed her arm again. “You do appear to be rather taken with this puzzle, I must say.”
Almeria tossed up one hand.
“Well, would you not be also?” she demanded. “If you were sent two very beautiful arrangements of flowers, without a note telling you who had sent them, would it not be on your mind? Would you not be looking around the room, even at this very moment, wondering which gentleman might have sent them?” Seeing him grin, a blush rose on her cheeks. “Very well, you may tease me, knowing that gentlemen would not often be sent flowers, but all the same, it is very mysterious, and it certainlyhascaught my attention.”
“Which must be the very intention of the fellow who sent them to you.”
Twisting her head, Almeria looked at him sharply.
