“It was difficult to speak a single sentence without being interrupted!” Henry sighed heavily and looked out of the window. “Theyalsospoke of Miss Bosworth and Lord Dartford, though I found myself a little more intrigued than when you spoke to me of it.”
“Oh?”
Henry nodded.
“It seems unfair that the lady should be considered at fault when she did the very same as Lord Dartford. He said he did not think that he would be at all interested in encouraging their acquaintance and she said the same, did she not?”
Lord Falconer’s expression changed from laughter to consideration, his smile slipping and his brows knotting together.
“Yes, I suppose that is so.”
“And yet society blames her for speaking bluntly. I do not think that fair.” A quiet laugh broke through his words, making Lord Falconer frown in confusion. “I confess that, in saying such things to these two ladies, it was the only time that I found myself able to speak at any length, and without interruption! Once I had finished speaking, they both fell silent for some time!”
“Goodness, you must have shocked them!” Lord Falconer chuckled and grinned a little ruefully. “It does seem a pity that they would also be speaking poorly of Miss Bosworth, however, given what you have said. I had not thought of it before, but now I can see your point of view.”
Henry shrugged.
“There is nothing to be done, I suppose. I do hope that the young lady is not too upset by the whole affair.” Sighing, he leaned his head back against the squabs. “Regardless, I thinkthat I am quite ready to attend another ball and be introduced to new acquaintances… though mayhap I ought to be a good deal more considered than before!”
“Do not let your first impression of a lady give you heavy expectations of her true character, yes,” Lord Falconer agreed, firmly. “And make sure to stay away from Lady Judith unless you wish to have even thesmallestconversation without interruption!”
Henry laughed and agreed wholeheartedly though, as his carriage continued to drive him home, he found his thoughts lingering on the unfortunate Miss Bosworth, wondering whether he would have the opportunity to meetherat the next ball, or if society’s harsh judgments would have already pushed her far away from them all.
Chapter Three
“Idid warn you.”
Joy closed her eyes and heaved a sigh.
“Mama, I do not need you to express your chagrin.”
“No, what youneededwas to listen to me! Had you done so, then you might not be standing at the back of the ballroom with very few others around you!” Lady Halifax clicked her tongue, clearly a little distressed over the situation while, at the same time, obviously blaming Joy for what had taken place. “You might have had gentlemen calling on you! You might have had your dance card filled entirely! But instead, you have nothing other than the shadows to accompany you.”
Joy scowled and folded her arms across her chest. For the last sennight, thetonhad come alive with rumors and whispers… and most of them had been about her, and what she had said to Lord Dartford. Lady Dartford had done as Lady Halifax had expected and, within the week, Joy was now considered to be uncouth, blunt, and much too forward for any young lady… though with the latter sentiment, Joy could not help but agree with.
“We can try again,” her mother suggested, heaving a long sigh. “Here, take my arm and we shall walk around the ballroom again.”
“And have every gentleman snort with laughter as he turns his head away, and every lady whisper about me to her friend? I do not think I shall do so.”
“But what else are we to do?” With what sounded like a wail, Lady Halifax threw up her hands and then closed her eyes. “I am meant to find you a suitable gentleman to wed and instead, I am standing with you at the very back of the ballroom with no hope ofeverdoing so.”
Joy let her hands fall to her sides. Initially, she had laughed off the concerns her mother had expressed, whereas now, she was beginning to feel a little ashamed of how boldly she had brushed off her words and how unconcerned she had been. Yes, she wanted to be as she truly was, yes, she wanted to speak as she felt, but she had never wantedthissituation. Her mother was clearly despairing, lost, and adrift, given that she did not have a purpose any longer. Try as she might to help Joy integrate into society, she was going to fail, simply because of Joy’s unwillingness to listen and act upon her mother’s advice.
“I think we simply need a little time, Mama,” she said, finding nothing else to suggest. “Did you not always tell me – and my sisters – that society has nothing better to do than to whisper about others? And that these whispers will always fade into something else in time?”
Lady Halifax nodded, but her expression was somewhat forlorn, breaking Joy’s heart. She was the reason for her mother’s upset, and the only hope she could offer her at present was that, in time, things might change.
“Why do you not go and speak to some of your friends, Mama?” she asked, hoping that it might encourage her mother a little. “I can stay here.”
Shaking her head, Lady Halifax let out another long breath.
“It would not be right. You could…”
“You can see that no one here is going to trouble me,” Joy interjected as her mother’s sentences ran off into nothing. “I will stay here, and you can go to speak with your friends for a short while. That will bring you a little happiness, yes?”
Lady Halifax frowned.
“I suppose it would bring me a little contentment, yes. Are you sure that you will be quite all right?”
