“For some reason, my heart told me you enjoyed it.”
Annabel thought her breath would be forever lost when he turned his smile on her once more. What man spoke of his heart as this man did?
“This Sunday will host the most rarest of sights.”
“Oh?” Annabel asked. “What will happen?”
“The moon will turn a blood red, which in turn will allow a secret constellation to appear.”
This piqued her curiosity, for she had heard of a blood red moon but never any a hidden constellation. “Which constellation is that?” she inquired.
He stopped and turned to her, his dark eyes pools in which she could become lost. “It is called the Star of Lovers,” he replied in a husky tone that sent shivers down her spine. Then he closed his eyes. “My apologies. I forget that in this country, such words and talk is forbidden unless one is engaged to be married. I have embarrassed you once again and will never bother you again.”
He released her hand and turned to walk away.
Annabel’s heart clenched. She could not stand never seeing him again! Somehow, just the thought brought about a sadness she could never have imagined possible.
“Ricardo,” she called. The man stopped and turned around, and she knew her face had to be six shades of red. “I mean, Don Ricardo.” How could she have spoken to him in such a familiar manner? “You did not offend me. It sounds like a beautiful sight.”
“It will be, for it appears only once every hundred years. A rare sight can only be shared with a woman of rare beauty, and that is why I wish to share it with you. However, it appears at the midnight hour, so I am uncertain…”
“Midnight?” Annabel asked as a sadness fell over her. “I will never be allowed to go outside with a man at that late an hour even with a chaperon in attendance.” It pained her to say so, although she wanted desperately for it to happen.
He sighed. “I understand. I must stop at the church to help with a collection for the poor, but I do hope to see you soon.” He raised her hand to his lips and smiled. “To the woman so beautiful many think she is a princess, know this humble man wishes that Saturday comes quickly.”
As he walked away, Annabel placed a hand to her breast, unable to breathe let alone speak.
Caroline stood beside her with widened eyes. “The man is enamored with you,” she said in awe. And perhaps with a bit of jealousy. “The praises he gives concerning your beauty? He is handsome and charitable and…”
“Everything I have ever wished for,” Annabel whispered as joy came to her heart. She then turned to her friend. “Do you not see? My hopes and dreams have been answered. Not only by a gentleman of nobility, but one from Spain! I cannot even express how exciting that is!”
Chapter Seven
That night, Annabel sat beside Caroline on the large four post bed in Caroline’s room, the wind howling outside the window as tiny particles tapped at the glass. Lightning flashed in the darkness some distance away, but it neared with every flicker.
Annabel did not know the exact time, but she guessed it was near midnight. She and Caroline had been sharing secrets and offering one another advice in how to deal with men, although they had little true experience in such matters.
“I have something I must confess,” Caroline said, the light of a candle creating shadows on the wall behind her. “And I trust you will not be angry with me for telling you what I know.”
“Of course not. Unless it is something terrible.”
Caroline laughed. “No, nothing terrible, but…well…I believe you will have to judge for yourself what to think of it.”
Annabel’s curiosity was piqued. “Then I promise I will not be angry.”
“Good.” Caroline shifted herself so she could lean in closer. That was a clear sign her story would be interesting. “Nearly a month ago, Father had two friends over to discuss business. Lord Melshim and Lord Agar.”
Annabel had to fight to keep her stomach from doing flips. “Oh? And what happened?” It was difficult to keep her features smooth, but she did not want to give Caroline a reason to believe she had any special interest in Lord Agar.
“I just happened to be near my father’s study and found myself quite tired and needing to rest by the door.”
Annabel could not stop from smiling at the woman’s excuse. Leave it to Caroline to be rational. “How…fortuitous.”
“Oh, very! Anyway, I overheard Lord Agar saying he was courting you and that he meant to marry you! Is there truth to what he said?”
Annabel sighed. Should she reveal the truth to a woman known to gossip? They had made a truce of sorts, and if she and Caroline were to remain friends, Annabel would have to pry a promise of silence from her. “Before I answer, you must swear that you will not tell anyone.” When Caroline attempted to interrupt, Annabel forestalled her. “If what I tell you is repeated, Juliet’s friend, the highwayman, will be paid to come and speak quite harshly with you.” She punctuated her words with a sharp nod.
Caroline gasped. “You would do that to me? Send a man to hurt me?”
“If you tell anyone, including your mother, then yes. In fact, this highwayman has mentioned he finds you handsome and would not even charge me a single farthing to take you away.”
The woman’s eyes grew even wider, and she gave an emphatic shake to her head. “I will not tell a single soul.”
Annabel had to hide her grin. She was not a great teller of tales like Juliet, but she could not help but be proud of the one she had just told. “Very well, then. Lord Agar has made arrangements with my father to marry me, but I can assure you that he is not courting me.”
“You must marry him?” Caroline asked with a gasp that could not have been more real. “You do not want to, surely. Or do you love him?”
Just the thought sent a shiver down her spine. “I do not love him. The man is horrid, and I do not even like him. However, my parents wish me to marry him.”
“What will you do?”
Annabel sighed. “Lord Agar has gone away and is not due back for some time. Although he will not be gone a considerable amount of time, I believe it will be enough to allow me to find a more suitable gentleman to take his place. I do not believe Father cares who I marry as long as he is able to glean a decent amount of money from whomever receives my hand.”
“Have you no dowry?”
“Not one of which I am aware,” Annabel replied.
Caroline took Annabel’s hand. “I am sorry they wish to do this to you,” she said and then looked down. “I know I am known as a gossip, but do you know why?”
“I thought maybe it was because you enjoy tales.” Although Juliet did not necessarily gossip, she was a teller of tales. What Caroline answered surprised her, however.
“No. It is the only way I can earn Mother’s attention.” She gave a heavy sigh. “It does not matter.”
Annabel’s heart went out to her friend. It had never occurred to her that Caroline carried such a burden. “I like you for who you are,” Annabel said, realizing that what she said was true. Despite their past, Caroline had matured as of late, and Annabel was pleased to be there to see it. “You are a beautiful woman and a dear friend.”
Caroline threw her arms around Annabel. “Thank you,” she said, her voice choked. She hid a few tears by pretending to sneeze, but Annabel saw them, nonetheless.
As if nothing had occurred. Caroline smiled and said, “Earlier in town, I overheard the marquess speaking of looking at the stars with him. Will you join him that night?”
Annabel shook her head. “I would love nothing more than to be with a man who believes I am a princess so we may look up at the sky together; it would be rather romantic. However, Aunt Eleanor would never allow it, even if I had ten chaperons.” She giggled. “Well, perhaps if I had ten, but certainly not with just one.”
“But it would be so easy,” Caroline said. “When you and Juliet and that stable boy came to my house….do you remember?”
“I do. Bu
t what does that have to do with stargazing?”
Caroline laughed. “Nothing. However, do you not see? That night the three of you left your home without alerting anyone. Could you not do the same again?”
Annabel worried her bottom lip. “I suppose I could,” she said. “But it is so much easier to go against the rules when Juliet is about. I worry that if I were caught, it would hurt my aunt, and I do not want that.”
“And yet if you are not caught?” Caroline asked. “You could have the most romantic of nights.” She gave a dreamy sigh. “A story you could tell your children one day!”
This made them both giggle, yet Annabel shook her head. “It is tempting, but I cannot do it.”
An image of the marquess came to mind. He was dashing and mysterious with a smile that caused her cheeks to burn. Yet, to sneak out of the house to be alone with any man, especially one she hardly knew, was not an act any lady would do.
“I may not be able to see the stars with him,” she said, resigned to the fact that she would hold to decorum despite the temptation to do otherwise. “However, he is calling on Saturday, and that is exciting enough for me.”
Caroline did not try to tempt Annabel any longer, for which Annabel was relieved, and their conversation once again turned to their curiosity of love and the man who may carry it.
Although Annabel hoped that love would one day come into her life, she knew it would not, could not, include Lord Agar. With whom, she had no idea, and although she found Don Ricardo handsome and kind, she had much she needed to know about the man before even considering such a relationship with him. And before considering sneaking out of the house in order to view the stars with him.
***
Friday evening after dinner, Annabel found herself consumed with thinking of the marquess. He was to call tomorrow, and she looked forward to their conversation. She wished to know more about the man, what his life was like in Spain—she had never left England despite the many journeys her parents had taken abroad—and, most importantly, why he was not yet married. A man nearing thirty, titled and with his handsome features should have already been claimed by a lovely Spanish wife by now.
Perhaps the reason he was unattached was due to his service to the crown. Many men gave up everything in order to serve his country, and although it was admirable, she could not imagine such a man being allowed to be unwed. How would he ever have an heir to take over his estate and title?
Whatever his reasons, she would never ask such personal questions. It was her hope he would bring the subject up in conversation.
A knock at the door made her look up, and Forbes entered the room. “Miss Annabel, a letter arrived for you.” He bowed and extended a silver tray to her.
Curious, she took the letter and thanked the butler. She stared at the unfamiliar writing and did not notice when Forbes left the room. Who could be writing to her? Perhaps it was Don Ricardo!
With anticipation, she opened the parchment and glanced down at the signature. “Lord Lockwood?”
Dear Miss Lambert,
I enjoyed conversing with you this past week and would like to call again. I promise that, if you allow me to see you, I will not be as nervous as I was and that I will drink any tea that is offered.
She giggled at that.
If I may be so bold, I believe I have not met a woman whose mind has intrigued me as yours does. If we are to meet again, I wish this time to listen rather than monopolize the entire conversation listening to myself speak, for you have a lovely voice.
I wait with great anticipation for your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Richard Lockwood
She sighed. What a fortunate woman she was, the most fortunate in all of Rumsbury, and perhaps the world. She had two suitors who had complimented her on her beauty and wished to call on her. Yet, did she prefer one over the other? Should she allow Lord Lockwood to call again even though she held a greater interest in Don Ricardo? Both men were extremely handsome and appeared kind, yet if she had to make a choice, it would not be Lord Lockwood over Don Ricardo.
She set the letter aside. If anyone knew what to do, it would be Aunt Eleanor, who was more than likely working in the study.
Annabel made her way there, where she found her aunt standing in front of the window that looked over the garden. How many times had Annabel seen this same image of her aunt before? She had lost count and was curious about what the woman would be thinking while she stood there seemingly lost in thought.
“Aunt Eleanor?” Annabel said, hoping she would not startle the woman. “May I come in?”
Her aunt turned and smiled. “You do not need to ask. Come and join me.”
Annabel nodded and joined her aunt at the window. How different life was here at Scarlett Hall from her home. Never would her mother have said she did not need permission to join her at a window. Never would her mother be staring at a window deep in thought, either. How different her mother was from her aunt.
“You are like me,” Annabel said and then giggled. “Or rather, I am like you.”
“Oh?” Aunt Eleanor asked. “How is that?”
“I oftentimes stare out the window regardless if it is day or night.”
“And about what do you think when you do so?”
Annabel turned her attention to the darkness outside the window. “Different things. Often I am thinking of dreams close to my heart.” Oftentimes they were thoughts of a gentleman arriving on horseback to come and carry her away, but she did not say as much. “And you, Auntie? What are your thoughts?”
Her aunt sighed. “Like you, I consider that which is close to my heart, the silent dreams that are never shared but often desired.”
Annabel smiled. Aunt Eleanor was always such a poet! At times she envied the woman’s ability to weave words.
“Well, the hour grows late,” her aunt said. “Will you be retiring for the night?”
“I am. However, I have found myself in a dilemma and I am unsure what to do.”
Her aunt took her by the hand and led her to a nearby chair. “Perhaps I may be able to help. What is this problem you are facing?”
“Lord Lockwood wrote me a very kind letter, and I admit that I find him handsome.” She gasped. “It is all right to say so, is it not?”
Her aunt laughed. “Of course you may say such things between us women.”
Feeling relieved, Annabel said, “Although Lord Lockwood was as nervous as I when he called, he wishes to call again. Yet, I find myself more attracted to Don Ricardo, which is odd because the conversations I have had with the man have been short. Plus, he has not called as of yet. Therefore, I worry. If I allow Lord Lockwood to call again, it would be unfair, for I have a greater interest in Don Ricardo.” She gave her aunt a beseeching look. “I feel utterly confused, Auntie. What do I do?”
“That is quite a dilemma for a young lady,” her aunt said, although she chuckled as she said it. “Your words show me that you are worried you might upset one by preferring the other.”
Annabel sighed. “That is exactly my worry. I must admit, I feel honored that two men wish to call, but I do not want to upset either when I choose the other.”
“Let me say first of all, there is no hurry. If you wish to allow Lord Lockwood to call again, you may.” She tilted her head as if to study Annabel. “Is that what you want or is this dilemma because you have already made a decision?”
“If I am honest, I have not. Lord Lockwood was nervous and smelled of brandy, but both can be easily explained. As to Don Ricardo, I have not had the opportunity to converse with him enough to know if I truly do have an interest in him. So, I suppose I can say that I have yet to make a decision.”
“Why not allow Lord Lockwood to call once more. You will be speaking to Don Ricardo tomorrow, and therefore you will have that chance. Perhaps you will learn that your interest in him does not extend past his smile.”
“That is true,” Annabel replied. Then she stared at her aunt. “How did yo
u know I liked his smile?”
Her aunt embraced her. “I have seen the same look on my daughters’ faces,” she said. “And I have had it myself.”
Annabel smiled. “You speak of Uncle Charles. Can you tell me how the two of you fell in love?”
Although her aunt smiled, Annabel thought she saw a flicker of pain in the woman’s eyes. Surely, she missed her husband; how could Annabel have been so uncaring?
“I am sorry, Auntie. I should not have asked.”
“No,” her aunt replied with a sigh. “There is no issue with your question. Perhaps one day I shall tell you the story of our whirlwind romance, but let us wait for another time. You need your rest and it is quite late.”
“Thank you,” Annabel said as she embraced the woman once again. “Is it not amazing that not three weeks ago I was terrified that my life was nearly over, and now it appears as if it is just beginning.”
“It is a wonderful thing,” her aunt replied. “And your life will only get better as the days progress.”
As she walked to the door, Annabel paused and turned to see her aunt had returned to her silent vigil at the window. Whatever silent dreams her aunt had, Annabel hoped that, just as she had, the woman would find hers.
Chapter Eight
The following day passed minute by minute as Annabel awaited the arrival of Don Ricardo. When he did arrive, she stood beside one of the gold-clothed chairs in the drawing room, her back straight and her hands at her side to keep from wringing them.
“It is good to see you again, Miss Annabel, Lady Lambert.” He crossed an arm over his waist and when he bowed, the arm muscles pressed against the sleeve of his coat. She had never taken notice of a man’s arms before, but somehow she could not help but to admire his. When he smiled, she had to place a hand on the back of the chair for support.
“Annabel?” her aunt said. “Are you all right? You look faint.”
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