“And then you found it again?” Mr. Brackwell blinked. “That is a surprise!”
“It is.”
Was it just to his own mind or did Miss Bosworth look suddenly a little uncomfortable? Henry shrugged inwardly and then quickly reassured the lady, aware that while it was surprising to know that Miss Bosworth had found the ring not once but twice, he did not think anything of it. It was pure luck, that was all… even if his cousin believed differently.
“It was a stroke of luck having your sharp eyes spy it,” he said, glad when a small smile spread across Miss Bosworth’s features, making her green eyes a little more vivid. His stomach dropped at the beauty of her, only to rise back up again as his heart slammed hard against his ribs, leaving him struggling for breath.
“I am glad to be able to return it to you, that is all. I can assure you, Mr. Brackwell, that I did not have any involvementin Lord Yarmouth’s loss of this ring, however.” Still struggling to catch his breath, Henry watched with a little amusement as his cousin’s face flushed a bright red, clearly a little embarrassed that, not only had the lady understood what he was thinking, but she was now as bold as to speak of it directly. To his mind, Miss Bosworth was certainly direct, but he did not see that as a failure of personal character. It was… refreshing. “I did not take it from Lord Yarmouth’s hand only to return it to him, then do the very same thing again. There would be nothing to gain from such a thing.”
“Save to catch his attention.” Still crimson red, Mr. Brackwell shifted in his seat, only to close his eyes tightly as though he had only just realized what he had said. “Forgive me. I did not mean–”
“Miss Bosworth would not have to do a single thing to catch my attention, other than look in my direction.”
The moment that he spoke those words, Henry’s heart jumped so high that he began to cough, ruining what otherwise might have been a very significant moment. His cousin offered to fetch a glass of water, Miss Bosworth herself sat forward, with the appearance of concern, but Henry waved his cousin away, managing to regain himself but at the very same time, hot with embarrassment. He had meant those words, but he had not meant to say them with such fervency! Much to his relief, the tea tray was brought in, and he was soon able to push away his mortification, silently praying that Miss Bosworth did not think he had not meant them, due to his coughing and spluttering in the moments thereafter.
“So, do tell me about your family, Miss Bosworth.” Mr. Brackwell settled back in his chair as the lady gestured to the tea, looking at Henry with an expectant smile.
“If you wish to serve the tea, then please do so.” Henry sat forward. “But there is no requirement nor expectation of it. I can pour if required.”
Miss Bosworth laughed and assured him that she was quite able to pour the tea though, when her laughter faded, her gaze and her smile did not. Instead, both lingered, the former clinging to him as though she did not ever want to look away – or was doing her utmost to form a memory of him in this moment that would never fade. Henry smiled back at her, his heart still pounding a little more quickly than usual, though he wondered at the reason for it. Yes, his words had been genuinely meant, but was it that he truly did care for Miss Bosworth? They had not spent a great deal of time together but, all the same, Henry had to admit to himself that there was a flickering interest within him, nonetheless. She was outspoken, bold, and determined, and yet, despite knowing that such qualities were not encouraged in young ladies, Henry found himself rather admiring her. She was not acting as any wallflower had done before and truth be told, even that was intriguing.
“And so you are the last to marry.”
Henry blinked, realizing that, having become lost in his thoughts, he had missed the entirety of the conversation between Mr. Brackwell and Miss Bosworth.
“Yes, I am the last, though my mother now despairs for me.” Miss Bosworth’s smile fell as she handed Henry his tea, though she quickly returned it to her face thereafter. “I am much too bold in my words, it seems, and have managed to push myself into the situation of being a wallflower. Thus, my mother has decided that I am no longer able to garner even the smallest amount of attention from any gentleman whatsoever and spends most of her time at the various occasions we are invited to with her own friends and companions.”
Mr. Brackwell frowned.
“It is not a situation I am at all familiar with, but it does sound rather difficult. I am sorry for that.”
“And I appreciate that, though I do not regret being as I am.” Miss Bosworth picked up her tea and took a sip. “I could not imagine being wed to someone who did not know my true character.” Her eyes closed and she shuddered briefly, making Henry’s eyebrows lift in surprise at how strongly she felt on the matter. “It would not be fair, either to him or to myself and thus I have refused to change my character for my mother’s sake.”
Henry’s eyebrows lifted, but he found his lips tugging into a smile of approval. Miss Bosworth was determined, yes, but there was a desire to be honest and truthful there also and he appreciated and admired that. She was right; to be wed to someone who onlyafterthe marriage vows revealed the truth of their character would not be a blessing for either husband or wife and he valued her clear decision in that.
“I think I quite agree, Miss Bosworth. It is far better to know the character of one’s husband or wifebeforethe wedding.”
“Should you like to convince my mother of that, I would be very grateful.” Her eyes twinkled with obvious mirth and Henry laughed, shaking his head, and picking up his tea again. “Though I think I should take my leave now.”
“So soon?” Before even giving himself time to think, Henry found himself on his feet, coming towards her as though he were desperate for her not to step away from him. “You have not been here for long.”
“Long enough,” she smiled, sipping the last of her tea before rising to stand by him. “My mother will be wondering where I have got to if I do not return, and I do not want to add to her burden.”
“You are no burden, Miss Bosworth.” Without warning, without even a thought, he reached out to take her hand in his, overjoyed when she did not pull away, though her eyes held agood many questions within them. “I should be glad to have you come to call at any time.”
Miss Bosworth nodded slowly and though she did not smile, her eyes flickered. Was she thinking about what he had said? Or was there something more there?
“Mayhap you would like to walk together in the park?” Much to Henry’s frustration, his cousin rose from his chair and, coming across to Miss Bosworth, reached out to take her other hand as Henry dropped the one which he held, and took a small step back. “It has been wonderful to make your acquaintance and I should like to spend a little more time with you, should you be amenable?”
Mr. Brackwell spoke as though Henry was not present, interrupting what had beenhisconversation with Miss Bosworth and sending a streak of frustration running up Henry’s back.
“I should like that.” Miss Bosworth smiled, though her gaze ran towards Henry himself, leaving him to make the only response that seemed possible at the time, which was to shrug and smile vaguely, even though he did not like the idea of his cousin stepping out with Miss Bosworth, especially whenhehad been the one to ask in the first place. “And you will join us, Lord Yarmouth?”
“Perhaps.” A little uncertain now, Henry forced his lips to curve as he looked only at Miss Bosworth and not at his cousin. “It will depend on how many business affairs require my attention on the day of your outing, though I should very much like to do so.”
Miss Bosworth smiled and nodded.
“I understand. Well, should you be able to join us, then I would be very glad indeed to see you again. Thank you, Lord Yarmouth. Good afternoon, Mr. Brackwell.” With a quickcurtsey, she turned to take her leave, only for Henry to hurry forward and catch Miss Bosworth by the arm.
