by Rose Pearson
Tabitha closed her eyes and tried to ignite the hope that was barely flickering in her heart. It was the only opportunity she would have, it seemed, and if Lord Jennings was also determined, then she could not turn away.
“Very well,” she said slowly, hearing Lady Ashbrook’s exclamation of both approval and delight. “But if it does not give the expected results, then I shall leave London, Dinah. I shall return home and await news of Lord Yarmouth’s engagement. I shall not be convinced to do or to attempt anything further.” She lifted her gaze and fixed it to her friend, seeing how the smile faded from Lady Ashbrook’s expression and how it became grave as she nodded slowly.
“I understand,” Lady Ashbrook answered gently. “But I believe that you shall find the happiness you barely dare to hope for, Tabitha. Trust me. In a few days, you will have Lord Yarmouth banging at your door, desperate to come and speak to you, frantic with the worry that you shall engage yourself to Lord Jennings before you have the opportunity to speak to him and to hear what is in his heart.” Her smile began to return. “And I am determined to be the first to congratulate you both on your engagement.”
“I dare not even allow myself to hope for it,” Tabitha replied, not allowing her mind to make its way to such a prospect but rather forcing her thoughts to remain in the present. “But it is as you say, Dinah. I must take this opportunity before I return home, just to be quite certain that my feelings are not returned as I hope.”
“Or to discover that they are returned,” Lady Ashbrook added, refusing to allow Tabitha to linger in the negative. “Be brave and bold, my dear friend. It will be worth it in the end.”
Chapter Thirteen
Oliver read the short note for what was now the fifth time, finding himself entirely disinclined towards replying. Lady Marina was very beautiful indeed, but he had found her quite lacking the more he had come to realize just how much she relied on—or was under the control of—her mother.
“Lord Jennings, my lord.”
Oliver looked up from his desk to see Lord Jennings strolling into the room, his brows lifted in silent question.
“Yes, yes, I am almost prepared,” Oliver said with a sigh. “Where are we to go? Into town?”
“For a short stroll, mayhap?” Lord Jennings suggested, gesturing with one hand towards the sunshine that was pouring through the window. “It is a very fine day, and I have intentions of meeting with a lady that I have decided to court.”
The letter fluttered from Oliver’s fingers, and he stared openly at Lord Jennings, his jaw slack as the question as to whether or not his friend was being quite serious in his words flung itself into his mind.
Lord Jennings chuckled. “I see that you do not believe me,” he said with a grin. “Yet, I can assure you that I have given it a great deal of thought and have decided that this particular lady will suit me very well.”
“I—I can hardly believe I am hearing such words from you,” Oliver replied, shaking his head and blinking rapidly as Lord Jennings chuckled. “I suppose that I should wish you well, but the truth is I am such a state of confusion! How long have you felt this way?”
Lord Jennings tilted his head, his eyes roving around the room as he considered. And then, he shrugged. “I cannot say particularly,” he replied, quietly, “but certainly, these last few days, I have begun to think much more seriously about it all. Perhaps it is because you yourself have been forced into considering matrimony that I have found my own thoughts pulled there also.” He shrugged. “As I have said, I cannot quite say.”
Oliver did not know how to respond to this, blinking quickly in order to mask his surprise. “Then I hope she accepts you,” he said, wondering which of the young ladies that Lord Jennings was acquainted with was the one he had considered. “And you say she will be in town?”
Lord Jennings grinned, his eyes bright. “I believe so, yes,” he replied with a wave of his hand towards the door. “As is, I think, that particular young lady, Lady Marina.” His eyes danced. “I passed her and her mother walking by the shops as I came here.”
“On that point, I fear I must disappoint you,” Oliver replied with a shake of his head. “Lady Marina is not someone I have any intention of marrying.”
A look of surprise settled on Lord Jennings’ face as he looked enquiringly back at Oliver, who then felt the need to explain a little further.
“Whenever I spoke to the lady, whenever I asked her a question, it was always the words of Lady Sutherland she spoke rather than permitting herself to speak her own thoughts,” he explained as Lord Jennings’ surprised expression remained fixed to his face. “Such a characteristic is not one that I can find in any way acceptable.”
“Because you relish honesty in a lady?” Lord Jennings asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “After the way Lady Croome spoke to you, I would have thought that you would have been glad of such a trait in a prospective wife.”
Heat climbed into Oliver’s face, but he did not turn away from the question. “I was wrong in how I spoke to Lady Croome,” he said, aware of the fresh stab of pain that laced his heart as he spoke. “I should not have done so. I should have listened carefully and permitted her to explain before I spoke harshly.”
“Yes,” Lord Jennings interrupted before Oliver could say more. “Yes, you should have done so. I quite agree.” He spread his hands. “What have you done to make amends?”
“To Lady Croome?” Oliver replied, feeling as though a hand was squeezing hard at his heart. “As yet, I have done nothing.”
Lord Jennings’ eyes flared, his hands falling to his sides. “And why ever not?”
Oliver did not know quite how to respond. Should he say that he had been struggling with all manner of thoughts and emotions as regarded Lady Croome? Ought he to explain that there was something within his heart that could no longer be satisfied with the simple friendship between himself and the lady? That he had found himself comparing Lady Marina to Lady Croome and finding the first lacking in almost every way?
“I—I have not known what to say,” he lied, deciding that it was best not to express such deep feelings. “I will, of course, write to her. But I must also write to Lady Marina to make it quite plain that there will be no further meetings between us.”
Lord Jennings chuckled but did not ask Oliver anything further about Lady Croome. “Very well,” he replied, making his way to a large, overstuffed chair. “Then, I shall sit here and drink your whisky until you write both letters to both ladies so that you are not encumbered with such particular thoughts when we make our way into town.”
“On the contrary,” Oliver replied, setting the note from Lady Marina down firmly. “We shall go to the bookshop, the park, or wherever you might wish before I write such letters.” His lips quirked. “I fear that I shall be much too long at these letters otherwise and that it will be morning before I am quite ready to depart!”
This made Lord Jennings laugh, and he rose from the chair he had only just seated himself in and quickly made his way towards the door.
“Then there is no time to waste,” he replied as Oliver followed after him. “To the busy London streets, we shall go!”
Perhaps, Oliver considered, it had been a mistake to come out into the heart of London without having written his note to Lady Marina. Lord Jennings, it seemed, had been quite correct, for his mind was still filled with thoughts of the lady as questions rose within him as to quite how he was to remove himself from her company in as gentle a manner as possible. It was more than obvious that Lady Sutherland was eager for the match, but Oliver knew he could not even consider marrying Lady Marina. There was nothing in her that could satisfy him.
Not when you continually compare her to Lady Croome.
Giving himself a slight shake, Oliver waited until Lord Jennings had alighted from the carriage before following his friend out. Taking in a deep breath, he looked all around him, seeing the hustle and bustle of the streets—and knowing full well that many had come simply to take n
ote of who was out busying themselves in company rather than having any intention of purchasing something new from one of the shops. Oliver could not blame them for doing so, given that he and Lord Jennings were doing precisely that.
“That is interesting now,” Lord Jennings murmured, elbowing Oliver none too gently and practically forcing his attention forward. “If you wish it, Yarmouth, I shall introduce you to the fourth lady that was suggested by Lady Croome.”
Oliver’s heart dropped to his toes. “Indeed,” he murmured, wondering whether he ought to pretend to have some sort of interest rather than stating aloud that he was much too preoccupied with his own thoughts as regarded Lady Croome to even consider anyone else. “You know the lady?” Struggling to recall the name Lady Croome had given him, he squeezed his eyes shut for a few moments. “A Miss Martin, was it not?”
Tutting, Lord Jennings eyed him with a disbelieving look. “Lady Croome was correct to state that you were much too preoccupied with Lady Marina’s beauty, Yarmouth,” he said as though this was the explanation for Oliver’s distraction. “It is a Miss Phoebe Morgan, and yes, I am acquainted with her. I should be very glad to introduce you if you would like?”
Still not quite sure what to say, Oliver made a non-committal sound in the back of his throat, leaving Lord Jennings frowning. A little embarrassed, Oliver shrugged. “Where is she?”
“She is standing there, with the tall, robust lady beside her, speaking to two young ladies and their chaperone,” Lord Jennings said, indicating them with a nod of his head in one particular direction. “Miss Morgan has gold curls escaping from her bonnet and is wearing a gown of light green.”
Oliver saw her in a moment. She was, of course, very lovely to look at, but there was nothing within him that leaped at the sight of her.
“You wish to be introduced?” Lord Jennings asked, beginning to move away. “I am sure that she will be—”
“Not so hasty, if you please,” Oliver interrupted as Lord Jennings stopped dead. “It is kind of you to offer, but I shall not be seeking any particular introduction to her as yet, Jennings.”
“No?” Lord Jennings lifted an eyebrow. “And why might that be? I thought that you had quite set aside Lady Marina. Are you not now looking for someone new?”
Oliver adjusted his hat and cleared his throat, giving him time to come up with an answer that would, he hoped, satisfy Lord Jennings.
“I am a little weary of introductions and the like,” he said, hoping that such a justification would make sense to his friend. “It has all come about quickly, and my mind is still heavy with what I must say to Lady Marina. Once I have written a note to her and settled things between us, then, mayhap, I should be glad to meet Miss Morgan.”
Holding his breath, he shrugged and prayed that Lord Jennings would not question the matter further, which, thankfully, he did not.
“Very well,” Lord Jennings said with a smile that Oliver did not quite understand. “Then shall we take a short walk? I am, as you know, hoping to meet with the lady I have settled my intentions upon for I am sure she informed me that she would be present here this afternoon.”
Oliver chuckled, relief spreading through his chest as he turned and began to walk away from Miss Morgan rather than towards her. “And does this poor lady know that you have ‘settled your intentions’ on her?” he asked as Lord Jennings chuckled. “Or is it something that she has yet to discover?”
“The latter, unfortunately,” Lord Jennings replied with a grin. “But it does not matter. We are well acquainted, and I must hope that our acquaintance will put her in mind to accept me.”
Not quite certain which particular lady this could be, Oliver kept his judgments to himself and instead continued to walk quietly through the London streets, his gaze meandering along the shop windows without any intention of stopping or purchasing anything of the goods displayed there. It was surprising to hear Lord Jennings speak of such a thing as matrimony given just how determined he had been not to do so, but in a way, Oliver was glad that his friend was now considering it. Quietly, Oliver considered it a good thing that Lord Jennings wed. His friend required a few years at his estate, settling into a life of contentment with his wife and, most likely, producing the first of his children, just so long as he was contented with whichever lady he chose to wed! Disinterest would only lead to disaster.
“Good afternoon, Lady Ashbrook!”
“Good afternoon,” came the quick reply as Oliver lifted his gaze to see not only Lady Ashbrook approaching them, but also Lady Croome. His stomach twisted, sending a spasm through him that momentarily removed his ability to either speak or move.
She was coming closer but, whilst she gave him a glance, quickly returned her gaze to Lord Jennings. Evidently, Lord Jennings was the one she intended to greet first, already putting distance between them as she had said.
“Good afternoon, Lord Jennings,” Lady Croome murmured before shooting another glance towards him. “And to you, Lord Yarmouth.”
There was such a strange tension between them that Oliver wanted to reach out and give Lady Croome a shake in the hope of dislodging it somewhat. Instead, he merely cleared his throat and, to his very great relief, managed to greet both ladies without much difficulty.
“Now, where are you headed this fine afternoon?” Lord Jennings asked, his tone eager and his expression bright. “Have you come to look in a shop or two? Or do you intend to take a walk somewhere? Or perhaps Gunter’s?”
Oliver frowned as Lady Ashbrook laughed and began to explain their intentions. His friend appeared very eager indeed to know where both ladies were going this afternoon, whereas prior to this, he had been glad of their company but never overly eager to seek it out.
“We thought perhaps to go to Gunter’s,” Lady Croome clarified once Lady Ashbrook had finished explaining that they had already purchased their intended items. “Or to take a short stroll somewhere.” She smiled at Lord Jennings, and Oliver felt as though someone had punched him hard in the stomach. “We had not yet fully decided.”
“Then might I suggest both?” Lord Jennings said gallantly. “A walk to Berkley Square will not take us long, but I would be glad to accompany you both.” He shot a quick look towards Oliver as though he had only just remembered he was there. “Do you wish to join us, Yarmouth?”
Not quite certain as to whether or not he would be welcomed, Oliver hesitated.
“You are most welcome to join us, Lord Yarmouth,” Lady Croome said gently, finally holding his gaze as a gentle, forgiving smile settled across her face. “Please, do not hesitate on my account.”
Oliver felt as though she had extended a hand of friendship towards him—a gesture he did not deserve. Not after all that he had said and done towards her. Lowering his head, he closed his eyes for a moment and then finally spoke.
“You are very gracious, Lady Croome,” he said, thinking to himself that there was no other lady such as she in his acquaintance. “Thank you. I should be glad to join you.”
Her smile grew, but her eyes immediately darted towards Lord Jennings, leaving Oliver caught between relief and confusion.
“Shall we depart?” Lady Croome asked, and, much to Oliver’s astonishment, Lord Jennings stepped forward and offered Lady Croome his arm. With wide eyes, Oliver saw how she paused, looking up at Lord Jennings with a slightly confused glance before she accepted, allowing him to lead her away from Oliver and towards Gunter’s.
“Are you going to stand there all afternoon, Lord Yarmouth?” Lady Ashbrook asked a few moments later. “Or do you intend to join us at Gunter’s?”
Giving himself a slight shake, Oliver looked down into the enquiring face of Lady Ashbrook. “Yes, of course,” he managed, offering her his arm, which she took at once. “I must confess myself a little overcome at seeing Lady Croome again.”
“And in seeing Lord Jennings’ obvious attentions towards her, I should think,” Lady Ashbrook said, a teasing note in her voice. “Although I am surprised that h
e has made such a hasty decision.”
Oliver stopped dead, startling Lady Ashbrook, who stumbled slightly.
“What do you mean?” he asked, letting go of her arm as his heart began to pound furiously. “What do you mean about Lord Jennings?”
Lady Ashbrook let out a small huff and brushed down her skirts, evidently fearing that in her stumble, she had creased them. “Come now, Lord Yarmouth!” she said, a small frown etched across her brow. “Do not pretend that Lord Jennings has not spoken to you of this!”
“I can assure you he has not,” Oliver replied, growing a little desperate to hear what it was that Lady Ashbrook knew. “He told me that he had thought of marrying and that his intention was to seek out a particular lady—someone he knew would be in town this afternoon, but I did not think that it would be...” He trailed off, seemingly unable to say Lady Croome’s name.
Lady Ashbrook eyed him speculatively, then lifted one shoulder in a small shrug. “Mayhap he has not wanted to concern you with such things, given that there has been a small amount of difficulty between yourself and Lady Croome,” she said in a matter of fact tone of voice. “But yes, it is as you think. Lady Croome is his intended lady, and he wrote to me earlier asking if I would be with her this afternoon so that he might meet us here in town. I am sure that it is simply a matter of deciding whether or not he truly wishes to settle his interest upon her, Lord Yarmouth, although I must say it does make a great deal of sense.” Gesturing towards Lady Croome and Lord Jennings, she let out a small huff of exasperation. “We should at least attempt to keep alongside them, Lord Yarmouth.”
She did not wait for him to respond but instead began to hurry after their friends. Oliver blinked rapidly, trying desperately to catch his breath as he struggled to comprehend all that Lady Ashbrook had said. Lord Jennings courting Lady Croome? It was, of course, quite understandable given that they were well acquainted with each other and knew the temperament and character of one another, but still, Oliver could not bring himself to be anywhere close to accepting it. Lady Croome could not wed Lord Jennings! It could not be permitted!
