by Rose Pearson
Henry closed his mouth, unable to come up with a significant retort. Claudia, looking quite satisfied with herself, rose from her chair and sighed heavily, her hands on her hips. “Is there ever going to be a time when you change, Henry?” she asked quietly. “Are you ever going to stop all this nonsense and begin to honestly search for a wife? You know how papa despairs over you.”
“Nonsense,” Henry blustered, waving away her concerns at once. “They do not care tuppence for my behavior, whether it is good or not. All they seek is the continuation of the family line, the heir that I must present.” He sniffed and shook his head, ignoring Claudia’s disapproving look. “You need not look at me with such frustration, my dear sister. I am quite sure you can be good enough for the both of us, especially given that you are to be wed very soon. Surely that will take mama and papa’s attention away from me for a time!”
For a long time, Claudia simply studied him, her face rather despondent. She did not criticize him nor complain but, eventually, she simply dropped her hands to her sides and began to walk away from him.
“I do not think you know the damage you are doing, even to yourself,” she said, softly, looking over her shoulder. “This is not the man you once were, Henry. I am glad I did not introduce Jacintha to you. She would have been even more disappointed had she met you in person.”
Closing the door behind her, Claudia quit the room and left Henry entirely alone. He rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair, trying not to let what his sister had said move its way into his heart. He rather enjoyed this life of doing exactly what he pleased. It felt like freedom, given that he had spent a great number of years doing exactly what his father had told him. It had not been unpleasant, simply a lot of hard work, but ever since he had come of age, he had delighted in doing exactly what he wanted instead of what his father wanted. Of course, that had brought his papa some angst but Henry had taught himself not to care. His life was already mapped out, a life filled with responsibilities and duties to the title, so why should he not enjoy himself for a few years before that happened?
Throwing himself up from his chair, Henry began to pace up and down the drawing room, finding it harder and harder to battle the thoughts that came his way. He tried to tell himself that he did not care that Jacintha had been disappointed by the news that he was something of a rogue, tried to ignore the hurt that stabbed at his chest, but it soon became overpowering.
Hurrying from the room, he strode to the stables and, within a few minutes, was riding in the confines of Hyde Park. It was early enough that the fashionable lot was not yet out, which gave him very few acquaintances to greet. He appreciated that, his concentration entirely on galloping.
Pulling the horse up, he began to trot across the grass, relieved to discover that his headache had finally gone. Perhaps a ride in the fresh afternoon air was the key to ridding him of it, in which case he would do it much more often.
The park was beautiful, touched by the loveliness of summer. The trees and shrubs practically glowed green, the flowers bringing scents to his nose.
It reminded him of the day he had been with Jacintha in the gardens.
A loud groan escaped his mouth as Henry dropped his head, frustrated with himself. He had not intended to think of her again but it seemed impossible for him to forget her. When he had first seen her last evening, it had taken two glances for him to realize that it was she, his mouth falling open before he had managed to snap it shut. She was more beautiful than he remembered, her blue eyes alighting on him for just a moment before she had turned her attention away again. Her rich brown hair had been swept up with pearls and other gems glistening all through it, matching the shimmering of her cream gown. He had hardly been able to take his eyes from her, finding himself almost in a trance as he watched her. The conversation he had been having had come to an abrupt halt, the music of the orchestra fading as he watched her. Her movements were graceful and fluid, carrying herself with an almost regal air as she danced. He had found himself deeply jealous of the gentleman who partnered her, wishing it were he who stood in that man’s place.
Why he had not gone to introduce himself, he did not know. Was it because he had grown a little embarrassed by his behavior, quite astonished to realize just how deeply he had been affected by her presence? Was it because she had turned away from him, had not so much as smiled at him? Had he been afraid of what she would say? After all, he had found himself greeting Lady Harmonia with very little qualms, although he had found her assessing gaze a little discomfiting.
“I was rude,” he muttered to himself, hating the fact that his sister was quite right in that regard. He could not expect her to come and speak to him, for it was his duty to do so. He should have gone to speak to her as soon as he could, for having greeted her sister, it was only right that he should greet Lady Jacintha as well, especially given that they had been the closest of friends.
More than that.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Henry lifted his head and tipped his face towards the sky, choosing to deliberately remember that moment from all those years ago. He had held her in his arms, and it had just been the two of them in the gardens, with no-one nearby to interrupt. For whatever reason, he had been unable to take his gaze from hers, been quite unable to remove his hands from her waist. She had looked up at him with astonishment in her eyes, her cheeks dusting with color, her mouth parted just a little.
If only he had been quicker! Had he not hesitated, then he would have been able to kiss her long before her sister called her. Would things be different then? Would his life have taken a different path?
Or, inasmuch as he was a rake, was it simply the desire to kiss her that overwhelmed him? Did he simply wish to know what her lips felt like against his, whether or not he could make her catch her breath? A rush of heat climbed his neck, a feeling of shame creeping into his heart. He could not treat Jacintha that way. He was not as low as all that. Lady Jacintha had been his friend at one time and he ought to, at the very least, treat her with the respect she deserved.
“I shall have to seek her out,” he muttered to himself, turning his horse back towards home. “At the next event we both attend together, I shall make sure to greet her almost the very moment she arrives.” His heart lifted from the ashes of mortification and embarrassment, making him smile just a little. Lady Jacintha would see that he was not as bad as Claudia had said. He would be gracious and kind and try not to think about that moment from long ago.
As he rode back home, Henry knew that it would be a great deal more difficult than simply ignoring it. He briefly wondered if Lady Jacintha herself still thought about him, still thought about that moment, before shaking his head to disperse his thoughts. She would not be as foolish. He had left her long ago and, more than likely, she had long forgotten about him.
Not quite sure why he was still feeling so melancholy, Henry closed himself in his own private study for the rest of the day, choosing to indulge in his father’s best brandy in an effort to remove Lady Jacintha from his thoughts.
Much to his disappointment, it did not work.
Chapter Four
“And so it seems our cousin is to call on us very soon.”
Jacintha looked up sharply as Harmonia sighed, aware of the letter she held in her hand.
“He wrote to you?”
Harmonia nodded, a rather pained expression on her face. “Yes, he did. This is, in fact, the second letter he has sent me.”
Jacintha frowned, growing a little frustrated with her cousin. “I thought you made things very clear to him, Harmonia.”
She lifted one shoulder and shook her head. “I thought I did. But, apparently, our cousin is very persistent.”
“Used to getting what he wants, most likely,” Jacintha replied with a grimace. “You cannot entertain him alone, Harmonia. Fill up your dance card the moment you enter a room, tell him that you are quite caught up in conversation with whichever gentleman it is you are talking to.”
&n
bsp; “I cannot be rude,” Harmonia replied, gently. “Besides, I have never found him as repulsive as the rest of you.”
“I do not find him repulsive,” Jacintha stated, firmly. “Rather that he is altogether inappropriate for you, Harmonia. Even though I am to seek a marriage of convenience, that does not mean that I will give up hope for an altogether suitable husband. Whether you seek love or not, Luke is not the right kind of husband for you.”
Harmonia sighed and rolled her eyes, showing a little more frustration than she had ever really done before. “I am well aware of this, having been told the same by each of my sisters,” she declared, looking rather ruffled. “Anyone would think I could not make up my mind on such things myself!”
“I did not mean to upset you,” Jacintha said, soothingly. “I just mean to look out for you.”
Getting to her feet, Harmonia tried to smile but could not quite hide her irritation. “I appreciate that, Jacintha, but I am quite able to look after myself. Do excuse me. I think I need some time alone.”
She made to quit the room, only for the door to open just as she reached it, making her almost bump into the butler who immediately held up his hands in apology.
“Sorry,” Harmonia muttered, stepping back. “Has someone come to call?”
“A Lord Slate, my lady,” the butler replied, handing her his card. Jacintha got up at once, her stomach swirling with a sudden excitement.
“Lord Slate?” Harmonia repeated, looking over at Jacintha who saw a sudden understanding dawn on her sister’s face. “Oh, of course. Do send him in. And a fresh tea tray, if you please.”
The butler bowed. “At once.”
Jacintha smiled as Harmonia came to sit by her. “Thank you,” she murmured, appreciating Harmonia’s willingness to stay. “I know you wanted some time on your own.”
Harmonia waved a hand, apparently forgetting all about what had been said about Luke. “Think nothing of it.”
Jacintha sat up straight as Lord Slate entered, rising carefully and curtsying delicately.
“Lord Slate, how good of you to call,” she smiled, as Harmonia murmured a word of welcome.
He bowed and smiled back at her, ever the gentleman. “Lady Harmonia, Lady Jacintha. I know I was not expected so I do hope you do not mind my company for a few minutes.”
“No, of course not,” Harmonia replied, before Jacintha could say a word. “Did you enjoy the ball last evening?”
“Very much,” he said at once, his eyes turning back to Jacintha. “Mostly because I made some new acquaintances.”
Jacintha felt her cheeks warm at his compliment, aware of how Harmonia was smiling. It was as though her sister was more than aware that Jacintha was, at this very moment, feeling butterflies flutter around in her stomach.
“I come with another invitation to yet another ball,” Lord Slate continued, interrupted only by the arrival of the tea tray. “I am quite sure that you will be flooded with invitations but I came with a small hope regardless.”
Jacintha leaned forward and began to pour the tea, surprised that her hands trembled just a little. You want a marriage of convenience, remember? she told herself, sternly. Having feelings for the gentleman will only complicate matters.
Handing him his cup, she lifted one eyebrow and smiled. “What is the invitation for, my lord?”
“Oh, goodness, I quite forgot to give it to you!” he exclaimed, putting down his tea cup on the table and pulling a small envelope out of his breast pocket. “Do forgive me. One of my distant cousins is throwing a ball in a few days’ time and I come with an invitation to it.”
Jacintha took it from him at once, jumping slightly as their fingers brushed. “Thank you, my lord,” she murmured, turning the invitation over and reading it quickly. “I do not think that we have any other engagements that evening.”
The delight that jumped into his eyes made her blush all the more, aware of just how pleased he was that she would be able to attend.
“How wonderful,” he said at once, as Jacintha held out the invitation for Harmonia to peruse. “I do hope that I shall be able to have you both for at least one dance.”
Jacintha smiled back at him. “I shall make sure to have my dance card as empty as possible when we first meet,” she replied, as Harmonia cleared her throat. “You are very kind to invite us, Lord Slate.”
“It is for much my own benefit as yours,” he replied, with a slightly self-conscious smile. “Thank you.”
They talked for a short while longer before he rose to take his leave, having stayed for the expected length of time. Jacintha bid him farewell but could not help but let her eyes linger on him as he walked away, finding him to be a well-mannered and quite good-natured gentleman. In fact, just the kind of gentleman her father would approve of.
“I would say that Lord Slate has something of an affection for you, Jacintha,” Harmonia murmured, as the door closed. “More tea?”
Rolling her eyes, Jacintha gave her sister a wry smile and shoved her tea cup towards her. “Yes, please. And I would not say that. After all, we have only met once before.”
“And yet he has seen fit to call this very afternoon,” Harmonia murmured, adding a splash of milk to her cup. “And we now have an invitation to a ball, one that we – or you – were specifically invited to.”
“He is merely being friendly,” Jacintha replied, not wishing to make too great a point of it. “Now, would you be willing to accompany me into town?”
Harmonia laughed aloud, her eyes sparkling. “To get a new gown, mayhap?”
“Not a new gown, no,” Jacintha replied, joining in with Harmonia’s laughter. “But, mayhap, something like a new ribbon or gloves?”
“Or perhaps a new gown, if something catches your eye,” Harmonia continued, with one raised eyebrow. “So that you might catch somebody else’s eye.”
Jacintha shook her head and got to her feet, trying to ignore the rush of heat in her core. “Do you want to come with me, or not?”
“No, I thank you,” Harmonia replied, sitting back in her chair. “I think I shall have that time alone now.”
Jacintha did not mind that Harmonia had chosen not to join her, for she had her maid for company. Wandering through the streets of London, she looked in almost every shop window, smiling to herself at the thought of the ball. Harmonia had been right to suggest that she was considering an entirely new gown for the occasion, but now that her sister had come to such a conclusion, Jacintha knew she could not do it. It would only make her interest in Lord Slate a little too obvious. However, a ribbon or a new pair of gloves would do quite nicely and she did have a few days to consider what gown she might wear to the occasion.
“Lady Jacintha!”
Stumbling just a little, Jacintha felt herself caught by strong hands who righted her almost at once, allow her to steady herself before letting her go.
“I knew our meeting would be an interesting one, but I did not expect you to fall at my feet!”
Jacintha looked up to see none other than Henry Musgrove looking down at her, the charming smile she knew so well plastered across his face.
“Henry,” she murmured, brushing her skirts down even though she had not exactly fallen. “How nice to see you.”
The smile began to fade from his expression. “I should have made your acquaintance sooner, Jacintha. I do apologize for that. It was rude of me.”
“Yes, it was,” Jacintha replied, ignoring the fact that she had not particularly wished to speak to him again. “Especially when you chose to greet my sister and not me.”
“That was not what I had planned to do,” he stammered, his face going almost crimson with embarrassment. “I did wish to greet you but you had a great many admirers. I did not want to interrupt the many conversations you were having. That would have been the height of rudeness.”
Jacintha only just managed not to roll her eyes, finding his excuses less than tangible.
“I see,” she murmured, looking past him. “W
ell, it is good to finally have the opportunity to see you again, Henry. I hear you are soon to be engaged. May I wish you every happiness when that event occurs.”
He spluttered for a moment, his eyes widening as he stared at her. Jacintha held his gaze steadily, not in the least bit put out. Even if Claudia had been exaggerating, that did not mean that there was not an attachment between Henry and whoever the lady in question was.
“I can assure you there is no such thing between myself and any lady of the ton,” he cried, making others in the street look around at him. “My sister is, of course, attempting to force me into an engagement I do not wish and is doing her utmost to spread the rumor about so that I might do exactly as she wishes.”
“Maybe she is trying to protect your family in the only way she knows how,” Jacintha replied, calmly, not holding back from telling Henry exactly what she thought of him. “And from what I saw at the ball last evening, I can quite understand why she is doing so. You are not the man I once knew, are you, Henry?” Ignoring Henry’s look of astonishment, she cleared her throat and looked all about her. “Now, do excuse me Henry, I am late already and Harmonia will be wondering where I am. Good day. I do not think we shall have much need to converse again.”
She strode away from him, her heart beating so wildly that she could hardly contain herself. Making sure her back was as straight as it could be, she walked quickly away from him, praying he did not come after her. She had been rather surprised to see Henry again, the memory of their last meeting flooding her mind the moment she had looked up at him. He, of course, had been his charming self and she had recalled everything Claudia had said about him. It was best that she make it clear that there could be no deep acquaintance between them, no friendship like there had once been. She did not want to even be associated with him, the disappointment she felt over his change in character cutting deeply into her heart.
