The answer came quickly.
“I am afraid that I do not feel particularly inclined towards dancing this evening.”
“Oh.”
Her response immediately brought words of concern to Lord Seaton’s lips, but she had no eagerness to hear them.
“I am quite well, I assure you, though fatigued by many thoughts and some disappointments.”
It was as boldly as she could speak, as much as she dared reveal, and as he looked at her with widened eyes, she chose not to answer his silent questions.
Lord Seaton dropped his gaze from hers, a slow flush running up his neck and into his face.
“I see. Then I… I do hope that we will be able to dance again very soon.”
Without another word, Lord Seaton turned away, moving back across the ballroom and away from them. As soon as he could not hear them, Lady Winterbrook turned to Constance, her eyes searching her expression.
“Are you alright? That must have been very difficult for you.”
“I amnotalright.” Sniffing, she closed her eyes tightly, the heaviness of her heart pulling her so very low. “I do not think that I can stay here.”
“Of course.” Lady Winterbrook squeezed her hand lightly. “Would you like me to fetch your mother?”
Feeling tears approaching, Constance nodded. She had arrived at the ball with a determination to remain just as she was usually, to forget about the pain which had struck her ever since her conversation in the park with Lord Seaton – but now, all of her feelings had been brought to the fore. Now they had escaped from her, it seemed impossible to push them back into herself, impossible to contain.
She had no hope left.
* * *
“Lady Winterbrook tellsme that you are very upset over Lord Seaton.”
Constance nodded but looked away.
“There is nothing to be done,” she said softly, looking to Lady Winterbrook and giving a slight shrug of her shoulders. “You may explain all, Lady Winterbrook, if you wish. I do not have the words for it.”
With a slight look of concern, Lady Winterbrook put a hand on Constance’s shoulder, then told Lady Yardley all that had taken place. Constance looked away, her eyes still burning, quite certain that, should she speak, her courage would fail her, and tears would flow steadily down her cheeks. The ball continued all around them and the carriage would soon be ready to take Constance home but, in the interim, Lady Winterbrook had begged her to speak to Lady Yardley for only a few moments.
“I am sorry to hear that it has been so difficult.” Lady Yardley put one hand on Constance’s arm. “However, I would concur with Lady Winterbrook and encourage you to be bold.”
“I do not think that I can.”
Lady Yardley tipped her head.
“Might you write to him? It may very well be that, as has been suggested, he has been badly affected by Lady Margaret’s response to his affection and thus, he now believes that all such emotions are frivolous and worthless. You could be the one to prove to him otherwise.”
Constance shook her head.
“It would not surprise me, Lady Yardley, if he was the one who wrote that letter,” she said softly, seeing Lady Yardley’s eyes flare. “The words he spoke to me were precisely the same sentiments as were expressed within that letter. They were not exact in every way, but certainly the response was the same. I am quite certain that there is no hope for us. Therefore, with this knowledge, I must now consider what I am to do, for my father will soon find me another gentleman and, mayhap it would be wise for me to accept him.”
“I could speak to the gentleman if you wished.”
The softness of Lady Yardley's voice sent tears again to Constance’s cheeks, but she dabbed them away quickly.
“I think that I have made my decision,” she answered, softly. “But I thank you for your kindness and for all that you have done.”
Lady Yardley moved closer, her expression showing nothing but sympathy, but Constance turned away. The matter, to her mind, was at an end. She had no other choice but to go forward, knowing that she was separated from Lord Seaton, and would be forever.
Chapter Fourteen
