Elizabeth’s breath was quickening but her response was ready, as if the words had been waiting at the door of her lips.
“I do not think you tardy, nor overly hasty, Lord Winterbrook. Instead, I think you have asked at the most opportune time.” A smile began to lift the edges of his mouth, but she quickly continued, remembering what she had said to Lady Yardley only the day before. “However, there is something that would prevent me from accepting you. My own desire is to marry a gentleman who will love me, as I have already told you. I will not enter into a courtship where there is no affection. For if there are no feelings of the heart at this present juncture, then I highly doubt there will be any hope of it within matrimony, should courtship lead to that.”
Her own heart cried out with a sudden sorrow, pained by a pang of regret, for what if she were the one who, alone, held a great emotion for Lord Winterbrook? What if he did not return her affection? Elizabeth was sure that her heart would break for she would have to watch him walk away, aware that she had been offered a small chance of happiness, but that her own determination had stolen it from her.
No, it would be all the more painful to marry a gentleman who did not love me while I loved him in return.
“I do recall your statement as regarded this…” Lord Winterbrook’s expression was steady. He was not smiling but nor was he frowning. “I respect your standing in this matter, and pray do trust me when I say that I would not have asked you this question had I not such feelings myself.”
Elizabeth looked back into his eyes and felt her heart leap with such joy that it stole her breath away, leaving her almost numb with happiness. This was what she had wanted for a long time, what she had been hoping for, searching for, over many a year. Now, in her third Season, it seemed as though Lord Winterbrook was to be the one who answered her silent prayers, her fervent hopes, and the desperate longings of her heart.
“You… You care for me.”
The words were barely whispered, but in response, Lord Winterbrook smiled and nodded.
“I do indeed.” Leaning down towards her, his smile grew all the more. “And you care for me.”
There was no flush to her cheeks, nor a wave of embarrassment which had her looking away from him. Instead, she held his gaze steadily and found his hand again, heedless of those who might see them in such close proximity.
“Yes.”
“Then, might I ask,” Lord Winterbrook murmured, holding her hand tightly. “Whether you intend to accept my offer of courtship?”
Wishing that she might have the freedom to throw herself into his arms and wrap herself as close to him as she could, Elizabeth satisfied herself by squeezing his fingers.
“I do accept, Lord Winterbrook. I accept it with my whole heart.”
Chapter Ten
“Ihear that you are now courting Lady Elizabeth.”
Felix looked at Lord Bramwell.
“You heard correctly.”
He said nothing more as they walked through London, even though he was all too aware of Lord Bramwell’s hard stare.
“You did not think to tell me of your intentions before you asked her?”
Felix frowned.
“Why should I need to inform you?”
“Because I am your friend,” came the sharp response. “But then again, you have been rather secretive of late. Mayhap I ought to have expected this silence.”
With a sigh, Felix looked over at his friend.
“I have not been secretive.”
“Certainly, you have,” Lord Bramwell stated, in a tone that demanded that Felix not argue. “You have done nothing but hide the truth from me, pretending that she is nothing but one of your many acquaintances. In truth, I find you very confusing indeed.”
Frowning, Felix slowed his steps.
“In what way?”
“Well,” Lord Bramwell responded, quickly, “First, you tell me that you are bored and that you intend to find some way to entertain yourself, but you will not tell mewhatthat entertainment is. Thereafter, you say nothing about Lady Elizabeth, even though I have been quite certain that you have been desirous of her company for some time. Then I hear from another acquaintance that you are now courting the lady!”
Wincing at the slight edge of his friend’s tone, Felix bit back his first, sharp response.
