“I do not know, but mayhap those are the wrong questions to be asking.”
Henry’s frown returned.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that you need not ask why he would not tell you, or why he was courting her while pushing you towards her, for these questions will lead only to more confusion. There is one question, however, which must be answered which is, I think, a good deal more important than any of the others you have mentioned.”
“Which is?”
Mr. Brackwell’s hands fell back to his sides.
“What reason did he have in keeping this hidden from you?”
Chapter Seventeen
“ViscountYarmouth!”
Joy smiled indulgently at her mother.
“Yes, Mama. Viscount Yarmouth.”
“That is most extraordinary,” Lady Halifax continued, as she walked around the ballroom, arm in arm with Joy. “It seems that, even though you were pushed into becoming a wallflower, you are now to be quite happily married, should all go well!” Her eyes turned to Joy’s, only for her smile to be wiped away. “But you must not doanythingwhich will push him away from you, do you understand?”
“I have no intention of doing anything of the sort,” Joy replied, firmly. “Though do not ask me to change my character in any way, for I will not even be willing to listen to such a suggestion.”
Lady Halifax – much to Joy’s surprise – laughed.
“I have no intention of doing anything of the sort, I assure you. It seems that my attempts to do so failed dramatically, and now you have managed to catch a Viscount simply by being as you are!” Her smile faded and she paused for a moment, her steps slowing. “Though I am sorry that I listened to the gossips, before I spoke to you about what had happened with MissBlakefield. That was not right. I should not have done such a thing, and I apologize for doing so.” Joy blinked, rather stunned by what her mother had said. It was the first time that she could remember her mother ever apologizing to her, and it was almost as though a huge gust of wind had knocked her clean off her feet. “There are many things I should have done – or chosennotto do - this Season,” Lady Halifax continued, sadly. “I apologize for my lack of consideration. It seems, however, that you have done very well without me and for that, I am truly glad.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
To her even greater astonishment, her mother embraced her right there in the middle of the ballroom and then kissed her cheek before turning and walking again, as though everything was just as it ought to be. Still stunned, Joy felt herself being pulled along as she tried to take in all that had just happened, overwhelmed, and truly delighted at all that her mother had said.
“Oh, there are my friends.” With a smile, she stopped and waved, looking at her mother. “Might I step away for a few minutes?”
“But of course.”
With a smile, Joy left her mother’s side and hurried to the other wallflowers, glad to see them standing away from the walls and in with the other guests.
“Good evening! I am glad to see you all.”
“As we are you!” Miss Simmons smiled, tilting her head. “We have heard everything that has happened of late, and we are all eager to discuss it with you!”
Joy flushed and closed her eyes, laughing softly.
“If you mean about what I said to Miss Blakefield, then I confess that I am not in the least bit sorry for it.”
This sent a ring of laughter around the group and Joy’s smile grew all the bigger. Despite the struggles she had faced, despitethe troubles and the difficulties of becoming a wallflower, she had found some true friends here and that was a blessing indeed.
“Tell us all about it,” Lady Frederica giggled, coming a little closer. “And do not leave anything out.”
With a laugh, Joy began, her heart filled with more happiness and contentment than she had felt in many a week and with a smile that never once seemed to fade.
“I thinkLord Yarmouth is an excellent gentleman, especially if he was so willing to speak to your mother in your defense.”
“Yes, I think so.” Joy frowned, her gaze sliding away. “He is to attend the ball this evening, and sent me a note to say that he wished to speak to me, but as yet, I have not seen him.”
Miss Fairley giggled, and Joy’s frown lifted.
