“Oh, you must excuse me.” Lord Humphries, as though he knew her thoughts, waved one hand at someone over Constance’s shoulder. “There is someone I simplymustspeak with.”
Constance blinked.
“Oh, but of course.” As he walked away, she sighed and sent a wry glance to Lady Yardley. “You did warn me, I know.”
Lady Yardley laughed and smiled.
“Yes, I did, but I still think it was right for you to meet him. After all, he took the time to write a response to ‘The London Ledger’.”
“Though he is a little too old, I think.”
“Yes, just a little.” The laughter in Lady Yardley’s voice made Constance chuckle and soon the two ladies were in fits of laughter. “There is something I would like to ask you.” Lady Yardley finally managed to pull her expression straight as Constance blinked away the mirthful tears in her eyes. “You do not have to answer, of course, but I did wonder if there was anyparticulargentleman who had caught your eye?”
“Caught my eye?” Constance repeated, only to look away. “No, I do not think so.”
“No?”
A glance back at her friend gave Constance the chance to catch a glint of interest in Lady Yardley’s eye. Upon seeing it, her face grew hot, and she shook her head.
“Yes, I have been in company with Lord Seaton on occasion, but that is all there is at present. He does not show any particular interest in my company, although I do think him an excellent gentleman.”
“That is because heisan excellent gentleman,” Lady Yardley confirmed. “I have never heard anything but good about him. If you were to state that you had a little interest, there might be something we could place in the Ledger to confirm that his character is as we think? If you like, I could-”
“No. Please do not.” A thread of warning running through her veins, she smiled, still a little embarrassed. “I am a great believer in havingboththe gentleman and the lady be as much in love with each other as the other. If Lord Seaton wished to spend more time in my company, would he not have come to call or asked to take a walk in the park together?”
Lady Yardley nodded.
“Mayhap.” Her head tilted. “But it might also take a little time. Some gentlemen are inclined to slowness, you know.” With a smile, she linked her arm through Constance’s. “Now come, let us go and see if we can find another one of these gentlemen to introduce you to. I am sure you will find the next gentleman very handsome indeed.”
Constance lifted her eyebrows, but Lady Yardley only smiled. Evidently, she knew precisely who she wished to introduce to Constance. But as she was being led willingly away, Constance found her thoughts returning to Lord Seaton. If he showed her even the slightest bit of interest, would her heart not cry out with both eagerness and anticipation of spending more time in his company? Constance was all too aware of just how much she was enjoying his company, albeit only whenever they were at the same ball or soiree together. Every time he came to speak to her, every time they danced, her heart filled up just a little. Was there any hope of a connection?
Her smile fell.
It is foolishness to think so. Father will soon present me with someone he has deemed suitable, and all such thoughts might be lost.
With a small sigh, she steeled herself. It would be best not to admit to what she was feeling within her heart. That way, should the worst come to pass, her heart would not break and she would not be left with the dull memories of what it had been like to care for a gentleman.
Chapter Twelve
“Ibelieve that you have taken some of the gossip from me.”
Adam offered Lord Campbell a wry smile as they walked together through Hyde Park.
“So it would seem.” Lord Campbell was not smiling. Indeed, he had not smiled for at least a sennight, according to Lord Dennington’s observations, and that did concern Adam somewhat. To his mind, this fresh melancholy had come upon his friend ever since Miss Millington’s advice to him to go and speak with Miss Barrett. Thus, he was quite certain that the meeting had gone dreadfully, and that this was the reason for Lord Campbell’s solemnness. “It is unfortunate that society is all too aware who talks with whom and who dances with whom, as well as being all too ready to bring up the history of one particular connection.” With a sigh, Lord Campbell shook his head. “I do not like it.”
In an attempt to be sympathetic, Adam cleared his throat gently, making sure to speak quietly.
“Might I ask how you are faring in this?”
Lord Campbell snorted.
“I am faring as anyone might,” he remarked with a small smile, glancing over at Adam for a moment. “Thetonis interested in my reacquaintance with Miss Barrett, while the only thingIam interested in is Miss Barrett herself.”
Adam let out a breath, tension running up his spine to his shoulders.
“You mean to say that, as yet, your affection for Miss Barrett has not relinquished its hold up on your heart?”
“That is precisely it.” Lord Campbell sighed heavily. “Though I confess that I am a little less inclined towards its disappearance now.”
