A deep breath pulled at his chest. “Lord Campbell has taken your advice, Miss Millington, and he has found the beginnings of great happiness. The love he had for Miss Barrett was enough to overcome the sorrows she left him with. The agony he battled for so long has begun to melt away and, I am quite certain, their bond will grow even stronger now.”
She did not know what to say. What precisely was the meaning of all of this? Was it simply that he was speaking to her about Lord Campbell in the hope that she would see how much he appreciated what she had said? Or was there something more?
“I am afraid that I am not acquainted with Lord Campbell.”
Lord Warrington cleared his throat, but Constance did not so much as glance at him. She was too delighted with all that Lord Seaton was saying.
Lord Seaton reached out one hand as if to take hers, only to drop it back to his side.
“This is all to say that my views on such things have altered significantly in only a few days.” He lowered his gaze, his head falling forward just a little. “I am sorry, Miss Millington. I know that I was harsh, short in my response to you, and a little mocking in my words. I should like to ask you for your forgiveness, and to assure you that, as I have said, my perspective has changed drastically.” When his head lifted, he found her gaze again. “I am glad that I have told you now, at least.”
Upon saying this, he bowed to her, but did not so much as turn his head towards Lord Warrington, simply stepping away. Blinking rapidly, Constance fought to push aside the tears which immediately leaped into her eyes as he departed. Her heart was beating furiously, her mouth was dry, her mind twirling with a thousand thoughts as she fought to understand everything he had said. What did that mean for her? What did it mean for them? Was he, in his apology, attempting to reveal to her that there was something more in his heart for her, something he had never acknowledged before? And if there was, then what was it he now hoped for? Part of her wanted to run after him, to grasp his arm, to look into its eyes, and beg him to explain to her precisely what he meant by such things, and to ask if it could be as her heart so desperately hoped. Instead, she simply watched him walk away before finally returning her gaze to Lord Warrington, an apology on her lips for becoming so distracted.
“It seems I am not the only one considering a future with you.”
Constance’s eyes rounded.
“I did not know-”
“You need not fear. I will not stand in your path.” Lord Warrington smiled and lifted his shoulders as she shook her head, protests dying on her lips. “But if you decide not to choose him, then you know that I will be willing to at least consider what the future might hold for us.”
Nodding, with tears burning in her eyes, Constance could say nothing, a tightness in her throat stealing her voice. Lord Warrington, evidently on seeing this, smiled and offered her his arm.
“Come, let me return you to your mother,” he said softly. “You have been away from them for some time already.”
The only thing Constance could do was go with him, walking in silence as she kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, not taking a single thing in. Dare she allow herself to hope? And if she did, would Lord Seaton prove to her that he could bring the happiness which they might now both desire?
Chapter Sixteen
This is nothing but torment.
Setting his mind free from everything which had held him back meant that his emotions had exploded with such violence, he could not contain them. He could not tell himself to consider only one thing at a time, for his heart would not permit him to do so – but upon seeing Miss Millington walking arm in arm with Lord Warrington, dark clouds had thrust themselves upon him and he could not find a clear path.
“Drink this.” Lord Campbell shoved a glass into his hand. “You say that you saw Miss Millington.”
“Yes, with Lord Warrington.” Adam’s whole body shook with sudden frustration. “She was having the most pleasant time, it seemed, and then I decided to interrupt them.”
Lord Dennington lifted his eyebrows.
“What did you say?”
Adam shrugged, his heart pulling low.
“I told her that I was sorry. And that I had been wrong.” Running one hand over his face, not touching the brandy Lord Campbell had given him, he let out a groan. “She is lost to me. Entirely.”
“Why do you say so?” Lord Campbell shook his head. “You must be bold. She is not betrothed yet, they are not even courting.”
“She may have accepted an offer of courtship, for all I know.” A deep sense of despair filled him. “I discovered that Lord Hayman was the one to introduce them, which means that he considers Warrington a suitable match for his daughter. Lord Warrington is an amiable gentleman, for we all know him to be good-natured. In addition…” Trailing off, he felt a weight drop into his stomach, “he also seeks a love match.”
At this, both Lord Campbell and Lord Dennington fell silent, and Adam’s fears only grew.
“Before you ask, I have been aware of his desire for such a thing since last Season, for he spoke of it to me, and at the time I thought nothing of it. But now, to see him with Miss Millington fills me with grave concern, and a belief that I am much too late. She will find what she has long desired with him.”
“Then, as I have said previously, you have no time to waste. I understand that you took only a few days to consider but can you not now see that you ought to have moved with a little more speed?”
“Berating me will do very little at this point.” Adam shot a slightly dark look toward Lord Campbell. “Is there anything you think that I can do?”
Lord Campbell nodded slowly.
