“But he does admire her, Aunt Pembroke. If only you could see them together!” Jane assured her aunt.
It was a rainy evening when Mrs. Pembroke brought Letitia and Jane to a party at the house of one of her friends. William was not able to come because of other engagements, but he insisted that Jane go so that she could spend more time with her sister.
When they entered the main drawing room, they saw a great many people assembled. It was very much like the other parties that their aunt had brought them to in the past. A collection of fashionable people all enjoying one another’s company and sizing each other up at the same time. It was clear that Mrs. Pembroke was one of the most prominent and important people in the room, and Letitia and Jane were also seen as significant as a result of accompanying her. Jane herself, indeed, as the wife of the heir of an earl, also commanded a great deal of attention in her own right.
It was Jane, indeed, that attracted the attention of some acquaintances of her husband, William. They approached, bowed, and everyone began to exchange pleasantries. One of these people was a pleasant young man with dark hair and eyes who seemed to take a great fancy to Letitia. Letitia thought he seemed pleasant enough, but he was certainly unable to drive thoughts of Mr. Henry Walter from her head. Indeed, these thoughts had almost entirely occupied her mind since her arrival in London. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, this was not only true for Henry’s feelings but Letitia’s, as well.
It almost seemed as if Jane and Mrs. Pembroke could read Letitia’s mind, as they did not make any of their usual hints about dancing. Jane asked Letitia if she would like to sit down and have some punch while Mrs. Pembroke talked to friends, and she said yes.
Not long after this, Letitia saw what she thought to be a familiar face. It was a young woman, but she bore a great resemblance to Mr. Henry Walter. She even had his sparkling green eyes. Her name was Catherine Walter. It was soon revealed that this was one of the young gentleman’s first cousins. During their conversation, Jane made sure to reveal the connection between Mr. Henry Walter and Letitia. Catherine Walter appeared to be one of those people we have all met who seem able to divine feelings and situations with very little information. Some glances and intonations on Jane’s part made her understand that Letitia admired him.
Did this development distress Letitia? No, it must be said that it did not.
22
A fortnight more in London passed quite uneventfully. It did slightly occur to Letitia that perhaps her new acquaintance, Catherine Walter, might write to her cousin Henry and tell him about their meeting. She had found out during the conversation that the two relatives wrote to one another quite often, as their parents were very close. Would Catherine tell Henry about the pleasant young man with dark hair who spent time conversing with Letitia?
Jane certainly thought that this would happen and told Letitia her suspicions.
“I believe that Catherine Walter will write to your Henry and tell him about our meeting,” she said.
“He is not my Henry, Jane, as you well know. And I see no reason why she should trouble herself with writing. It was a rather uneventful meeting, from her perspective anyway,” Letitia replied, laughing.
“I disagree. There was something in her eye that made me believe she had already been told about you. Perhaps Henry has mentioned you!” Jane exclaimed.
“Nonsense! He would have no occasion to do so,” Letitia responded, secretly hoping that it was true.
Over the last few days, London had taken on almost a magical quality. There was still the same rushed and busy character out of doors in the streets, but when Letitia peered out the windows of her sister’s house, she could not help but admire the mild quality of the sky and the gardens. There was a pleasant sort of mood surrounding everything around her, the sort that could make one think that anything was possible. And perhaps anything was.
Letitia thought she was in a dream the day that Henry Walter arrived. It seemed like something that could not possibly occur in everyday life. He was enthusiastically admitted to the house by Jane, once she was told by the maid that a young gentleman called Henry Walter had appeared at the door. He was brought to the drawing room, and Jane went in search of her sister.
It is easy to imagine Letitia’s reaction to the news that Henry Walter had suddenly appeared. It did briefly occur to her that perhaps he had come with distressing news from her mother or about the school, but Jane assured her that the young man’s countenance declared this not to be the case.
Jane brought Letitia to the drawing room where Henry was seated and left them alone.
“I am pleased to see you, sir. But I hope you do not bring distressing news from my mother or the school,” Letitia said, clearly anxious.
“Indeed no, miss,” Henry replied. He appeared extremely nervous and his face was red. Even Letitia in her great modesty could not deny what seemed to be about to occur.
“Miss Hayward, I know this will come as a great surprise to you. Indeed, I have probably caused offense with how standoffish I have perhaps appeared in the past. I likely seemed deficient in paying the attention due to the daughter of my employer. But if you only knew my reason!” he declared.
After some more impassioned declarations, Letitia soon found herself enjoying the embrace that she had dreamed of receiving from Henry Walter. She realized that she had finally found love.
It was only a matter of time before the door opened and Letitia and Henry stood there, hand in hand, ready to announce their engagement.
THE END
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The Spurned Sister: A Regency Romance Novella Page 7