Letting out a slow breath, Constance closed her eyes for just a moment. Yes, she might have to consider Lord Warrington, given that there could be nothing between herself and Lord Seaton. Perhaps in time there would be something between herself and Lord Warrington, something of significance, something she longed for - but for the moment, such emotions belonged solely to Lord Seaton.
“Your father tells me that you are not particularly enamored of his decision to choose a particular gentleman for you.”
Heat boiled in the pit of her stomach, sending flames into her face.
“It is not that I am unwilling to hear his suggestions, Lord Warrington. It is only that I have no desire to betrothe myself to a gentleman I do not know, whose heart remains entirely hidden from me.”
“Which I precisely understand.” Lord Warrington smiled at her. “I believe that you and I are much of the same mind. I do not think that any real happiness can come from two people forced together for practicality’s sake.”
At this, Constance stopped immediately and twisted to look up at him.
“Is that so?”
“It is.” He shrugged. “I have no doubt that you may believe that your father has told me to say such things, but I can assure you, I speak from my heart.”
“I do trust you, Lord Warrington.”
His green eyes warmed as he smiled.
“Indeed.” He tilted his head. “You do not seem surprised.”
For a moment, the answer came to her lips, ready to say that no, she was not surprised, for she already knew precisely the sort of match he was seeking, only to throw her response away. Certainly, she could not tell him thatshehad been the one to write the letter in ‘The London Ledger’ nor that she had readhisresponse, seeking the same.
“I suppose that I have always believed that there will be some gentlemen within society who seek the same as I.”
This answer seemed to satisfy him, for he nodded and smiled again.
“I am sure that there are more of us than it first appears.” One shoulder lifted. “We do not all seek out wealth and beauty.” At this, Constance’s eyebrows lifted, and Lord Warrington immediately began to apologize, expressing that he did not mean to say that she was not beautiful, and Constance found herself laughing. With clear relief, Lord Warrington joined her in that laughter as they began to walk again. “If I have not made only a fool of myself, then I should like to spend a little more time with you, if I may.” Lord Warrington looked down at her, his mouth pulling to one side just a little. “That is not to say that I intend to rush into courtship, however. If we both are eager for the same thing and have the same desires, then perhaps something may flourish between us but, if it does not, we can simply remain contented that we gave ourselves the opportunity.”
He really was the most remarkable gentleman, Constance considered, and she was all the more glad that her father had behaved in such a way as to take what she had hoped for and bring it to the fore.
“I am not certain that my father will be so delighted if we decide that such a thing will not take place.”
Lord Warrington chuckled.
“Be that as it may, he may have to suffer a little disappointment. I would not like to offer my heart if it was not returned.”
She nodded and smiled at him.
“That is how I feel also. Thank you, Lord Warrington. You are most considerate.”
“Miss Millington.”
A voice broke between them and turning, Constance’s heart slammed hard against her ribs. Lord Seaton was practically glaring at the Lord Warrington. He did not so much as glance at her, not even when she greeted him.
“Lord Seaton, good afternoon. Are you acquainted with Lord Warrington?”
Lord Seaton kept his gaze fixed.
“Yes. I am.” Still without so much as looking at her, Lord Seaton narrowed his eyes just a little. “Good afternoon, Warrington.”
“Good afternoon.” Lord Warrington’s pleasant tone was in complete contradiction to Lord Seaton’s tight voice. “It is good to see you again, Seaton. I was sorry to hear about Lady Margaret.”
“Pah!” The harsh exclamation made Constance’s eyes round.
“You need not offer me any of your sympathies. In truth, I am glad of it, glad to realize that my feelings for the lady were not as I first believed them to be. I see now that I have been saved from what would have been the most disappointing marriage, and one which I would have come to regret, I am sure.” Constance’s eyes flared all the wider, but Lord Seaton had not finished.
“I confess that I thought myself in love with Lady Margaret, after only a few weeks of acquaintance. I realize now that these feelings did not have the strength which I first thought them to hold. Indeed, I see now that they were not as strong as love. It was something else entirely – an infatuation, nothing more.” Slowly, and for the first time, his gaze turned towards Constance, as though he was speaking directly to her rather than to Lord Warrington. “Thereafter, I rejected all such feelings. I told myself that they were nothing more than foolishness, and I was determined not to permit myself any such sensations any longer. Even with my dear friend Lord Campbell, when I saw the struggle and the pain which he suffered over his own affection for a lady of quality, it made me all the more determined not to allow myself to feel anything. However, I was wrong.”
