Miss Bosworth nodded slowly.
“I recall the loss of my grandmother.” There was a quietness to her voice now which, no doubt, came from grief. It was a quietness which Henry understood, for it climbed into his soul also, whenever he spoke of his late father. “She was very dear to me and, given that I am the youngest of my sisters, I was able to spend more time in her company than they, given that they had to begin their education and refinements. I recall sitting beside her as she read aloud and thinking her voice to be the most soothing in all the world.”
“It is a pain you understand, then.”
She looked up at him again.
“Yes, though not in the same way. My father is very much alive – heartily so!”
That made Henry smile.
“Does he have an heir? You have never spoken of a brother.”
Miss Bosworth winced.
“Yes, I have a brother. He is the very eldest of us all, by some years. He is already married.”
“And then only daughters?”
A smile spread across her face as she looked up at him, her eyes twinkling.
“I believe that my father was hoping that a ‘spare’ would be produced eventually, but alas, I was the very last child to beborn to my father and I, unfortunately, was a daughter also. Four daughters were more than enough, I am sure.”
Henry chuckled at that, enjoying the company of Miss Bosworth immensely.
“I must say, I think that–”
“Good afternoon, Lord Yarmouth.”
Stopping abruptly, Henry realized, a little too late, that, in coming around the corner, they had come to a small group of gentlemen and ladies, all of whom were looking at himself and Miss Bosworth walking arm in arm. It was not to them that he looked, however, but to the grinning face of Lord Falconer, who was clearly delighted to see them out together.
“Good afternoon, Falconer. Do excuse us, we had no intention of interrupting your conversation.”
“And yet, you have done so – and I welcome it, as I am sure we all do.” Turning, Lord Falconer put his arm wide. “You will already be acquainted with Lord Symington, Miss Blakefield, Miss Marton, and Lord Stepps, yes?”
“Yes, of course.”
Glancing at Miss Bosworth and seeing her light frown as she curtsied, Henry quickly made the introductions, silently hoping that Miss Bosworth would not be too put out to have to stop and converse for a few minutes. As much as he glowered at Lord Falconer, however, his friend barely gave him a second of notice and instead began talking of the recent enjoyments of London.
“I do wonder at you walking out in the afternoon sunshine, Lord Yarmouth.”
Henry blinked, a little surprised at the interruption, which had nothing to do with the conversation at hand.
“Is that so, Miss Blakefield? Why should you be surprised? It is a fine day, and the sun is warm. I should think it–”
“No parasol, Miss Bosworth?” Miss Blakefield interrupted again, turning sharp eyes upon the lady as Henry felt herstiffen. “I am surprised. Wallflowers must be very careful in the sunshine, given that they spend so much time in the dark shadows. To be outside on such a fine day must surely be a little overwhelming.”
Miss Bosworth sniffed.
“Not in the least.”
Her eyes fastened to his and Henry offered a small smile of encouragement, wondering if there was more that she wished to say, but was holding herself back from it. If she were doing so, then he appreciated her valiant effort more than he could express.
“Thatis why I am surprised to see you out walking, Lord Yarmouth,” Miss Blakefield continued, turning her attention to Henry again. “There ismanya young lady for you to be walking with. You need not waste your time on wallflowers, given that they will never come to anything.” She lifted her chin, her eyes darting back to Miss Bosworth. “They aremeantto fade away, not to be brought out to parade their dwindling beauty for a short while. It only prolongs their state and is much more of a punishment than might otherwise be expected, I am sure.”
The shock of her coldness towards Miss Bosworth – for speaking of her indirectly was poor form in itself – stunned Henry into silence. Indeed, the entire group said nothing and all that could be heard was the whisper of the wind in the trees and the gentle calling of the birds within them.
And then, Miss Bosworth spoke.
