“And we shall all find ourselves back here in a few days’ time,” Lady Winterbrook remarked with a smile. “And we shall be drowning under the sheer number of letters you have received in return.”
With a laugh, Constance made her way to the door, her heart lifting with fresh hope. Perhaps she would be able to find a love match after all.
Chapter Five
“And are you still moping?”
Adam picked up his whisky and threw it back before slamming the glass back down on the table.
“No, not in the least.”
His two friends looked at each other and chuckled.
“I hardly think such an action is evidence of happiness,” Lord Dennington stated as Lord Campbell nodded sagely, before speaking.
“Come now. It has been some weeks since she has spoken of her heart-”
“Or her lack of affection within it,” Lord Dennington added with a wolfish grin.
Lord Campbell threw him a roll of his eyes before continuing.
“As I have said, it has been some time weeks since you first declared yourself and discovered she was not at all inclined towards you. Surely, therefore, you must have a lessening of those feelings, particularly now.”
“Why?” Adam shot back, his tone a little harsh. “Haveyoufound your feelings for Miss Barrett lessening?”
At this, Lord Campbell’s face fell. White stole the color from his face, and he cleared his throat, his brows falling low.
“Yes. I have. I havenofeelings for the lady.”
Guilt burned up Adam’s throat and he looked away, suddenly ashamed of himself for bringing to mind the young lady whom Lord Campbell had professed to love the previous Season, only for her to step away from him.
“If you are inquiring as to whether or not I am in love with Lady Margaret, then you may be assured that I am not.” Adam shook his head, recalling how quickly Lady Margaret had been able to dismiss him. “In fact, I have no affection for her in the least.”
“But a great deal of hurt still lingers. I think.” Lord Dennington spoke quietly, no longer jesting, but now rather serious. “The news from this evening has pained you. I thought you might have been happy, in a way.”
“And precisely why should I be happy?” Adam threw back, a little more quickly than he had meant to. The shame which had burned only a few moments ago became a great and heavy torrent and he dropped his gaze. “Forgive me. I am aware that my mood is rather dark this evening. It is only because something more has occurred.”
Lord Campbell frowned, clearly unaware of the situation, whilst Lord Dennington waggled one finger.
“Something more than Lady Margaret’s betrothal? Or is this not at all related to the lady?”
“It is to do with Lady Margaret.”
“But if you have no affection for her, why do you appear so irritated?” Lord Campbell waved one hand to garner the attention of a footman, requesting him to bring them some more brandy before turning back to Adam. “You do not care for Lady Margaret any longer – or so you have said, so why should you be so upset at her betrothal? Or is it that your heart is truly broken and your affection more genuine than you permit yourself to believe?”
The question was asked without malice and Adam took a moment to consider his reply. He had behaved harshly towards Lord Campbell once already, and did not want to do so again.
“I believe that my affection was genuine, but it was not really love,” he stated, his jaw tight as he struggled to contain the ire rising within him. “I was a fool to think it – but to be treated so, with such inconsideration, when I had declared to Lady Margaret the depths of my heart, was more mortifying than I can express. And what is worse is that all of thetonwill know of it.”
Both of his friends frowned, a look of confusion fixing themselves to their faces.
“What do you mean?” Lord Campbell was the first to speak. “You cannot be suggesting that either I or Lord Dennington have said anything to anyone?”
“No, of course not.” Accepting the glass of brandy from the footman, he shook his head, but stared down at the table, his hand gripping the glass tightly. “Lady Margaret’s mother, the indomitable Lady Farlinger, has decided to declare to all and sundry that this was not the first proposal her daughter had received.”
Lord Dennington snatched in a breath as Lord Campbell closed his eyes tightly.
“Precisely.”
