“But that does not mean that she will speak ofhimin the same way that she will speak of you,” Lady Halifax told her, asingle tear falling as red spots appeared on her cheeks. “Do you not understand, Joy?”
“Lord Falconer laughed at what I said.”
Lady Halifax closed her eyes.
“That means nothing, other than the fact that he found your remarks and your behavior to be mirthful. It will not save your reputation.”
“I did nothing to ruin my reputation.”
“Oh, but you did.” A flash came into her mother’s eyes. “You may not see it as yet, but I can assure you, you have done yourself a great deal of damage. I warned you, Iaskedyou to be cautious and instead, you did the opposite. Now, within the first ball of the Season, your sharp tongue and your determination to speak as you please has brought you into greater difficulty than you can imagine.” Her eyes closed, a heavy sigh breaking from her. “Mayhap you will become a wallflower after all.”
Chapter Two
“Did you hear what she said to Lord Dartford?”
Henry yawned and sat back in his chair, letting his gaze rove around Whites.
“I do not think I care a great deal as to who said what and to whom.”
“Whyever not?” Lord Falconer sat down heavily, a glass in his hand. “It was more than a little delightful, I can assure you!”
Henry sighed and closed his eyes.
“I have no interest in it all, I am afraid. I care not as to whether Lord Dartford was insulted and while I certainly am delighted with this young lady’s response to his arrogance, I do not particularly care who she is or what has become of her.”
Lord Falconer sighed.
“Very well, though I think that very dull of you.”
With a shrug, Henry fell silent, allowing his thoughts to settle. He had not been in London for long but his intention this Season was to find a young lady to whom he might give the title of ‘wife’. She had to have particular traits within her character, of course, for he required someone who knew precisely what was to be asked of them and nothing more. Whether or not he would find that particular young lady here this Season, Henry couldnot say. If he had to return in the autumn, or for the following Season, then that was what he would do. This was much too serious a situation for him to simply pick any young lady based on how pretty she was.
“What is it that you are thinking of?” Lord Falconer nudged Henry, who let out a low groan. “Come now, you cannot be sitting there without having anything in your mind. What is it?”
“Nothing of any importance.” Barely throwing his friend a glance, Henry picked up his brandy and took a sip. “Did you enjoy the evening?”
“Yes, immensely.” Lord Falconer smiled broadly. “Though I am not here to find a suitable young lady or any such thing as that. I am simply here to enjoy myself this Season.”
Henry shifted in his chair so that he might study Lord Falconer a little more closely. “You mean to say that you are simply here for the enjoyment of the Season? Nothing more?” Lord Falconer nodded enthusiastically. “And you care nothing for making a match?”
A loud guffaw broke through the quietness of White’s and Henry winced, sitting forward in his chair just as Lord Falconer slapped him on the shoulder.
“Why should I care about such things? I am young enough not to require a wife as yet.”
“But your heir?”
Lord Falconer shrugged.
“I have a younger brother who has a family of his own. Should anything happen to me, then he would take on the title. I have very little concern as regards that.”
“Whereas I have no one save for myself.” With a slight scowl, Henry picked up his brandy again. “I have no mother, no father, no brother or even sister!”
“You are quite alone in the world.”
Henry’s scowl grew. That was said without any sort of emotional understanding whatsoever, as though whatever Henry had just said did not bring even a flicker of sympathy to Lord Falconer’s heart. It was rather difficult at times to be so alone, to have no family other than himself and a vague, distant relation or two – though most of them lived in Scotland, and he did not get to be in their company very often at all.
“Alas, you must have a much more pressing need than I to find a bride,” Lord Falconer continued, a grin spreading across his face. “Should you like me to aid you in your search?”
“No, indeed not!” The scowl immediately broke apart as Henry grinned at his friend, aware that Lord Falconer’s interest in young ladies of thetonwas based solely on their appearance, rather than on anything of their quality of character. “But I thank you for your concern.”
