Constance sighed heavily as her friend’s smile fell.
“It is of great sorrow to me, of course. I am to be led to my future by my father, whether I wish it or not.”
“Do not permit yourself to be so troubled,” her friend reassured her warmly. “Many a father has said such a thing, I am sure, but they do not always follow through on such statements.”
“Alas, you do not know my father.” A stone dropped into her stomach and her lips twisted for a moment. “He is the most stubborn of gentlemen with very little consideration for others.” Shooting a look to Lady Winterbrook, she sighed and threw her head back, her eyes squeezing closed as she groaned aloud. “Now, do not look at me with such an aghast expression on your face. I am speaking honestly, as I have every right to do, given that he is my father and you my most trustworthy friend.”
Lady Winterbrook hesitated, then nodded, although she looked away.
“I suppose I can give you that,” she admitted, after some moments. “It must be very distressing indeed to be told that your hopes for the future have been entirely dashed, simply because your father desires to get back to his estate quickly.”
“It is all the more distressing to know that I am not worthy of his time.”
With a heavy heart, Constance looked away, a little surprised to find that she was close to tears, again, about her father’s dismissal, which had hurt her so severely.
“I can see that.” Lady Winterbrook squeezed her hand reassuringly. “But there must be something we can do. Some of your friends are here together for the Season, aside from Lady Sherbourne, given she is due to enter her confinement soon. But those of us who are here in London can certainly be of aid to you.”
Constance turned her head and looked directly into Lady Winterbrook’s face.
“Are you quite certain?” she asked softly. “I know that we made a promise to each other, but since you are now all wed, I would understand if your desire to be of aid to me is a little lessened.” Her face grew hot as she spoke. “I am all too aware that I am the last to make my come out, forced into waiting to do so until my elder sisters were finally wed. I had thought that my father might give me last Season along with Judith, but no, I had to wait until she was married before I could make my come out, albeit a little later than the rest of you.”
For the last two Seasons, Constance had been with her friends and enjoyed their company, while at the same time, she had not been permitted to dance as freely as they, nor to even consider courtship or the like. Instead, she had stayed a little further back as a wallflower might, forced to wait until her father stated that she might haveherSeason. It seemed cruel now to deprive her of her freedom and insist that she marry a gentleman of his choosing rather than allowing her to make her own choice.
“My dear Constance, you need not have any such fears.” With a warm smile, Lady Winterbrook encouraged her quietly. “From the very beginning, we promised one another that we would support each other in our endeavors to marry for love, rather than for practicality’s sake. Simply because we are all wed and settled does not mean we have forgotten you.”
This was spoken with a slight flickering frown passing across Lady Winterbrook’s forehead, and Constance closed her eyes, a little ashamed.
“Forgive me, I ought not to have questioned your loyalty.”
“And there is no shame in being the last of us,” Lady Winterbrook told her firmly. “None of us think less of you. We understand your situation, and are glad to be of aid to you, in whatever way we can be.”
With a small sigh, Constance put out her hands, then let them drop them back to her sides.
“Mayhap the only thing I require from all of you is your support to help me accept my situation. I shall not have the chance to marry for love, as you have all done. My father has decided and that is the end of it.”
Lady Winterbrook tipped her head.
“Unless…?”
With a frown, Constance looked at her friend, catching the gentle glimmer in her eyes. Had she already hit upon an idea? Constance would take anything if it meant giving herself the same opportunity as her sisters.
“You say that your father has not yet found a suitable gentleman for you?”
Wordlessly, Constance nodded, having very little idea of what her friend was thinking.
“Then it is very simple!” Lady Winterbrook chuckled. “You must find a gentleman to fall in love with, and when he falls in love with you also, you will present him to your father as the most suitable of all gentlemen in London.”
Her shoulders dropped as Constance attempted to smile, but shook her head at the same time.
“Whilst I appreciate the idea, I do not think it will be as easy as that. As I have said, my father is eager to choose my husband for me, and he will do so quickly.”
“Then you must simply fall in love quickly,” Lady Winterbrook stated as if such a thing was perfectly straightforward. “And the gentleman must fall in love with you too, although I do not think that will take any great length of time.”
A flush touched Constance’s cheeks at the compliment.
“You are very kind.”
“I am quite serious!” Lady Winterbrook exclaimed, grasping her hand again. “You are quite lovely, you know, and I am sure that many a gentleman will be eager to make your acquaintance and, thereafter, to fall quite in love with you.”
