“I beg your pardon?”
“I understand now that you have joined us in Hyde Park so that you may introduce me to a gentleman who is under your consideration.” Constance sighed heavily. “There is no need to pretend. What is this gentleman’s name?”
“You have said nothing of the sort to me.” Lady Hayman turned to her husband, her hands going to her hips. “You stated that you wished to attend so that we might go together, that was all.”
“Which I did,” Lord Hayman protested, though Lady Hayman did not seem to believe it. Her hands remained precisely where they were, her eyes flashing as she let out a low mutter of obvious disbelief. “Very well.” Lord Hayman sighed, seemingly captured by his wife’s demands. “If you must know, it is a gentleman by the name of Lord Warrington.”
For some reason that name seemed familiar to Constance, and for a few moments she searched her memory, wondering whether or not they had already been introduced. She soon realized that they had not, but that this gentleman was one of those who had responded to her letter in ‘The London Ledger’. She waited for a sudden thrill of excitement, for hope to lift her spirits, but nothing came. Instead, her heart remained heavy, her spirits low, and as she sighed, her mother immediately threw up her hands.
“You ought to be allowing Constance her own decision in this,” she said sharply.
“And you and I have spoken of this already,” came the hard response, although Lord Hayman kept his voice low. “There is no need to speak of it again.”
“There is not, Mama.” Constance put one hand on her mother’s arm, managing a small smile. “And even if there was, this is certainly not the place to do it.”
Lady Hayman shook her head, showing not the least bit of remorse at raising her voice.
“This has displeased me greatly, this whole affair. I am all the more ashamed that I did not realize the injustice of it before now.”
“Be that as it may,” Lord Hayman stated, his voice firm. “Lord Warrington is approaching us. Do turn, Constance, and smile.”
Constance did only one of the things her father had asked of her - she turned but did not smile. She could not seem to force herself to do so, no matter the glances her father sent in her direction. Lord Hayman greeted the gentleman warmly, and Constance followed through the introductions carefully enough, curtseying when she was required to and thereafter letting her gaze settle upon Lord Warrington.
Much to her surprise, he was rather handsome, with dark brown hair which swept across his forehead. Sea-blue eyes, tinged with green, looked back at her as he offered her a quiet smile. When he spoke, his tone was soft, as though she were a gentle creature he did not want to scare away.
“Miss Millington. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“As I am to make yours.” Constance offered the required response, having no genuine feeling behind those words. “Have you long been acquainted with my father?”
“It was my own dear father who was acquainted with Lord Hayman,” came the reply. “I have been fortunate enough to continue the acquaintance.”
Sighing inwardly, Constance nodded, but said nothing, assuming that her father was now going to speak of her to Lord Warrington as though she were not standing next to him, as he had done before, with other gentlemen. Instead, however, silence came upon the group. A little surprised, Constance looked up at her father, only to see him lift his eyebrow, his eyes swiveling towards Lord Warrington as though to ask her silently why she was not speaking.
She blinked.
“I - I hope that you have been enjoying the Season, Lord Warrington.”
“I have a little.” Lord Warrington lifted his shoulders, his hands now clasped behind his back. “As your father knows, I have recently taken on the title and, given that I take my responsibilities seriously, I will be blunt and state that I must marry soon and produce an heir. I hear that you, also, are seeking a match, Miss Millington. I have learned that you hope to find a match where affection is prominent. I can assure you, I hope for the same thing and, while I believe that affection might take some time to grow, I am sure that with intentionality, such a thing could be just as you desire.”
Astonishment clouded her vision for a moment, and she caught herself staring. This was not at all what she had expected. Still astonished, she glanced at her mother, but she was not looking at her. Rather, she was gazing up at her own husband in clear surprise. What followed thereafter was a small smile, and Constance’s own heart beat a little more quickly. It seemed as though her father had finally listened to either her own or Lady Hayman’s protests, and had decided to alter his plans just a little.
Gratitude and relief poured into her.
“Might you wish to take a turn about the Park?” Lord Warrington gestured towards the growing crowd. “I am sure that we can stay within sight of both your fine parents.”
Constance swallowed hard, still a little overwhelmed.
“Certainly, Lord Warrington. I should be glad to.”
It would be rude to turn him down without any good reason and thus, with a brief smile to her mother and a glance at her father, Constance stepped away and took Lord Warrington’s arm.
With a nod to Lord Hayman, Lord Warrington led her away from her parents and they began to walk together. Much to Constance’s surprise, Lord Warrington had excellent conversation skills and, with his easy manner, it was simple enough to find herself contented in his company. He seemed amiable by first impression, was handsome enough certainly, with a warm smile and kind eyes. He spoke a little of his estate, of the fact that yes, it wasveryfar away, but his description of it made it sound rather appealing. The more they spoke, the more at ease Constance became. Perhaps, she considered, this gentleman was the answer to all of her concerns.
But what of Lord Seaton?
The question ran around in her mind. She tried to shake it free, but it would not leave her. What about him? Could she so easily forget him? Forget the feelings for him which had built up within her? As much as he might have said that, no, love was not something he wanted to pursue, it was not something he thought had any viability, her feelings for him were lingering. Although she was sorrowful over the separation between them, her heart would not release him – even though she might desperately desire it to do so.
But I cannot tie myself to him.
