“I thank you,” Lord Rowney replied with a grin. “It is only a recent betrothal, you understand, but I think we shall be very happy together.”
“I am sure you shall.” Lady Winterbrook murmured, smiling, and after a few more moments and expressions of delight, chose to step away, taking Constance with her.
“How unfortunate that we find that the gentleman is already betrothed!”
“You forget also that Lord Buckinghamshire is now courting Miss Macgregor,” Constance reminded her with a sigh, for Lord Rowney had been the one to mention it during their discussion.
There was no smile upon her lips now, for that, unfortunately, meant that three out of the five gentlemen who had written to her were not in the least bit available for her to even consider. Lord Humphries was much too old. Lord Buckinghamshire was courting another and the third, Lord Rowney, was now betrothed. It seemed that she only had Lord Warrington from Scotland, and Lord Blayton – the one considered something of a dandy - to contemplate. Silently, she prayed that either one of them would be not only free from connection but also would also spark something within her.
“Have no fear, my dear friend. You will find what you desire, I am sure of it.”
“I must hope that you are right.”
Lady Winterbrook smiled in what was meant to be an encouraging manner, her eyes bright with obvious hope.
“Though there may also be someoneelseto consider.”
“Who?”
Lady Winterbrook lifted an eyebrow.
“Why, Lord Seaton.”
At this Constance immediately shook her head, her stomach dropping a little.
“No, my dear friend, I will not consider Lord Seaton.”
“Whyever not?”
All of the emotion which had been building up within her threatened to overwhelm her as Constance’s heart ached with a low, dull pain. It had been some three days since she had seen him in the Park, since they had last walked together and yet, even now, what he had said to her lingered in her heart. Up until that moment, she had not realized how much she felt for him. The truth was, her desire for his company had grown so great that she found herself close to utter despondency in realizing that he was not the gentleman she had thought him.
“My dear, you have become very pale.” Lady Winterbrook stopped, turning directly and grasping Constance’s hand. “Whatever has happened? I mentioned his name and suddenly, you seem sad.”
Constance attempted to rearrange her features into a smile, but from the sharp look in Lady Winterbrook’s eye, she knew that she could not pretend. Perhaps it was time to tell someone.
“I was walking with him some days ago. I cannot tell you how delighted I was to be in his company – and before you make any remark upon that, yes, I am aware that I have felt more for him than I allowedmyselfto previously admit. When he told me that he thought a marriage with love and affection was nothing more than a string of nonsense twined around one’s heart, bringing hope with it before burning it up entirely, I found myself so heartbroken that I could barely speak.”
Lady Winterbrook said nothing for some minutes, simply looking at her. When she did, it was with a heavy sigh.
“I have been observing you with Lord Seaton. I thought him very eager for your company, and I admit to being surprised when he did not seek to further your acquaintance.”
“And because he has not, I have not permitted myself to feel anything.” Constance struggled to keep her voice steady, aware of the tears which threatened, but caring very little as to whether or not they fell. To finally be able to speak of this, to admit it, not only to herself but to her friend, was a good deal more cathartic than she had expected. “I did not realize how much I wished for his prolonged company until I discovered how absent his heart would be from any connection we might make together.”
“Oh, my dear.” Lady Winterbrook squeezed her hand. “No doubt his stated opinion on this matter is because of his dealings with Lady Margaret.”
Constance blinked.
“Lady Margaret?”
“Have you not heard?” Lady Winterbrook’s eyes widened, only for her then quickly explain. “Of course, I forget that you are not inclined to listen to gossip at all. Let me tell you what I know - Lady Margaret has recently become betrothed.”
“Yes, I am aware of that. “A slight frown pulled at her brow. “To the Marquess of Hadenshire, was it not?”
Taking a breath, Lady Winterbrook nodded.
“Yes. However, what you may not know is that Lord Seaton was first to declare himself to her.” It was as if the air in Constance’s lungs had frozen, a cold chill running over her skin, sending goosebumps prickling all over. A sudden memory came back to her - of her mother speaking with Lord Seaton, offering her sympathies for the disappointment Lord Seaton had recently encountered. She had quite forgotten it, seeing that Lord Seaton had not wanted to speak of it and she had chosen, therefore, not to question what her mother had meant. Was this, then, what her mother had spoken of? “I am sorry.” Lady Winterbrook released her hand and then turned around so that they might look out at the ballroom together. “As I have said, his response now will come from her reaction to his declaration, for it has been said that she was not particularly kind to him with it. It may be that he does nottrulybelieve that love and affection are foolish emotions, only that he has found himself so disappointed that he now desires to push all thought of such things away.”
Blinking rapidly, Constance sniffed, accepting the handkerchief which Lady Winterbrook handed to her.
