“You did not consider her, did you? In your forthrightness and determination to help the lady understand your perspective, seeking to have her think of it as the right one, you wrote without hesitation. I have no doubt that the young lady who wrote the letter, eager as she is to find a suitable love match, would have found your response very callous indeed.”
Adam’s jaw set and, for a moment, anger flared, but he cooled it quickly. His friend was not chiding him, but simply laying out before Adam exactly what would have happened once his letter had been received. Was that the sort of gentleman he was? One who wanted others to followhisviews without hesitation, one who would force his harsh opinions upon them?
No, he did not want to be so.
“You are right.” There was nothing Adam could say, save for that. “I was much too severe, I will admit. I should have simply read the letter and then let it fade from my thoughts. But given my state of mind at the time with Lady Margaret’s rejection and subsequent betrothal, her mother’s gossiping about my affections, and the heavy darkness I had pulled into myself, I chose to respond.” His mouth twisted. “Mayhap I should write another letter, and apologize for the first. From what I recall, I did not sign my name to it, which would explain why I have had no response, so it remains entirely anonymous, which perhaps is to my benefit.”
Lord Campbell hesitated, then spread his hands wide.
“It has been some time since the letter seeking a love match was published and, since then, two other Ledgers have been published. It is probably entirely unnecessary.”
“All the same, I am grateful to you for pointing out my error.” Adam wrestled with the strength of the guilt building within him. “Goodness, I have been a very dull fellow these last few weeks, have I not?”
“I would not say so.”
With a jerk of surprise, Adam turned around just to see Miss Millington standing behind him. She laughed when his eyebrows lifted, and immediately he found himself smiling, his own heart beating hard within his chest.
“I do not doubt that my mother will accuse me of eavesdropping, but I could not help it. I saw that you were here, as we were walking, and thought to greet you.” Miss Millington gestured to her left where her mother stood waiting, and Adam smiled and nodded at Lady Hayman. “But no, indeed, I do not think that you have been at all dull. I personally have been enjoying your company of late.”
“Ah there now, you see?” Lord Campbell grinned with a sudden brightness to his voice. “Not everyone thinks that you have been tedious.”
“I do hope that I have not interrupted your conversation, though I seem to be making a habit of doing so of late.” Miss Millington smiled and accepted his arm when Adam offered it, and he smiled with pleasure when she did so. “You will be glad to know, however, that you have saved me from a prolonged conversation with my mother as regards two particular gentlemen my father intends to introduce me to.”
At this, the light in her eyes diminished and her smile disappeared with it. Adam’s heart twisted as he looked at her, seeing sorrow beginning to creep across her expression.
“We were doing very little other than talking about ‘The London Ledger’,” Lord Campbell remarked, clearly unaware of the changed expression on Miss Millington’s features.
“‘The London Ledger’?” she repeated, her eyes going wide. “I am surprised to hear that two gentlemen such as yourselves have read the Ledger.”
“But we are members of thetonand, from what I understand, it is important reading! How are we to hear what has been taking place if we do not read so?”
Miss Millington laughed, her sorrow quickly forgotten.
“Indeed. And what was it precisely you were discussing?”
Adam’s delight began to shatter as he shot a quick glance toward Lord Campbell, hoping that he would say nothing about the letter which Adam had confessed to, only some minutes ago. Much to his relief, Lord Campbell gave him a barely perceptible nod.
“Oh.” Lord Campbell shrugged. “We spoke of a letter which had recently been placed within it, that is all.” With a smile, Lord Campbell then quickly went on to change the subject. “But that was some time ago and now we wonder when news of Lady Margaret’s wedding will reach us. It is to take place very soon, from what I understand.”
Coughing quietly, Adam straightened, then smiled directly at the lady.
“Miss Millington, would you like to take a short turn around the park with me?”
Her hazel eyes instantly turned to gold as she smiled, only for it to fall away.
“I would like to accept but allow me to make certain that my mother will permit it.”
With a nod, Adam watched as she stepped away, his eyes lingering on her. It was as if the sun had decided to shine a little brighter, now he was in her company. His heart was beating a little faster also, perhaps only just realizing how much he had missed her since the last time they had been in company together.
“Your thoughts linger on Miss Millington, I am sure of it.” Lord Campbell tilted his head as Adam shot him a frown. “You need not look at me like that. I am quite certain that I am correct.”
From experience, Adam knew that Lord Campbell’s perception was usually correct, and seeing his friend grin, he shrugged and sighed.
“Yes, that is so. However, I…” Seeking something which would explain his strange interest in Miss Millington, which would explain how much his heart leaped when he saw her, Adam gave up entirely. After all, while he admitted to himself that such interest filled him, he had no clear thought as to what he might do about it. “She and I are merely acquaintances, that is all.”
“And yet you do not wish me to say anything about the letter that you wrote to ‘The London Ledger’.” Lord Campbell folded his arms and chuckled. “There must be a reason that you wish me to hide that from her.”
There was no simple explanation for that either. Lifting his shoulders in a shrug, Adam turned his head away, relieved when Miss Millington’s approach made it impossible for him to explain himself. Lord Campbell’s grin remained fixed, however, and try as he might, Adam could not ignore it.
