by Joyce Alec
“But you did nothing improper or untoward,” Lady Crampton protested as Lucinda shrugged. “What was it that you did not do?”
“I did not push myself to the fore as I ought,” Lucinda said with a shake of her head. “I should have sung and played the pianoforte before Miss Foster or have stated loudly that I wished to perform also, so that she might have removed herself from the pianoforte in order to permit me to do so.”
Lady Crampton shook her head and let out a heavy sigh. “That is quite ridiculous,” she said quietly. “I do hope you do not take such things to heart, Lucinda.”
Lucinda smiled back at her. “I do try not to,” she said slowly. “But Father does often find a great many faults with me. And, of course, I am never at all permitted to speak to him about his conduct which, I confess, I often find very embarrassing indeed.”
“We all do,” Lady Crampton said, reaching across to press Lucinda’s hand. “He appears to have done well at his card games of late, however. I would have thought that would have put him in something of a better mood.”
“It appears not,” Lucinda replied, aware that her father had boasted loudly about his recent wins, much to the chagrin of the other gentlemen who had played against him. “He still finds me to be failing in a good many places and in more ways than I thought imaginable.”
Lady Crampton shook her head. “Quite how you endure it, I cannot imagine, my dear,” she said softly. And then her brows lifted. “I could always suggest that you come to reside with me for a time, Lucinda. That might ease your burden somewhat, surely?”
Lucinda’s heart began to quicken as she grasped a hold of the idea and clung to it with desperation. “Do you think my father would permit such a thing?”
Spreading her hands, Lady Crampton’s expression was one of hope. “I cannot say, Lucinda, but I can certainly do all I can to encourage the idea. I could easily suggest that it might do him good to have a little less responsibility for you, and we might then work together to find you a suitable match.”
Lucinda’s stomach twisted suddenly. “I am not certain Father will appreciate that idea, however,” she said slowly. “He has been making remarks these last few days about how I must soon wed and how a gentleman of his choosing must be settled upon.” Her hands grew clammy as she clasped them together, her nervous anxiety over just who her father might have for her beginning to flood through her. “I am worried as to what sort of gentleman he might consider.”
Lady Crampton clapped her hands together in a most decisive fashion. “Then there is no time to be lost,” she said firmly. “I will speak to my brother this very afternoon and will suggest to him that I assist him in such an endeavor. We cannot allow him to have sole charge of such a thing, Lucinda, surely you can see that.” She smiled suddenly and a wave of relief crashed over Lucinda as she saw the determination in her aunt’s eyes. “No, indeed, I will not permit it. You are much too dear to me for my brother to be allowed to decide such a thing alone. I will speak to him this very afternoon, my dear—and you know how persuasive I can be. Particularly when he will, no doubt, be feeling a little poorly given his indulgences last evening.”
Lucinda laughed and instantly, the upset and the worry flew from her. The carriage slowed and came to a stop, with Lucinda looking out to see a vast array of shops waiting for her company.
This, she considered, was sure to be an excellent afternoon.
“Oh, excuse me.”
Lucinda stumbled back, heat flooding her cheeks as a gentleman bent down to hastily pick up the new gloves she had been holding.
“I must beg your pardon, miss,” the gentleman said, his own face filled with the same embarrassment that Lucinda herself felt. “Please, forgive me. I did not see you and was so lost in my own thoughts that I…” He looked her full in the face and, in that moment, came to an abrupt halt. His words died away as he stared at her, his blue eyes wide, fair hair brushing across his forehead.
Lucinda did not know what to say. The gentleman had, for some reason, stopped speaking to her in the middle of his sentence and was still holding her gloves, meaning that she could not simply depart without retrieving them from him. He was well dressed, a little taller than she, and certainly a gentleman, but quite why he had been struck with silence, she could not even guess.
“Wiltshire?”
Another voice came from nearby and the gentleman in front of her started violently, turning his head to look over his shoulder before returning his gaze to her.
“Forgive me,” he said, handing her back the gloves. “I did not mean to knock into you in such an ungentlemanly fashion. It was entirely my doing and I pray you are unharmed.”
“I am quite unharmed,” Lucinda replied, finding herself smiling up at the gentleman and wondering at his strange behavior. “There is nothing you need apologize for, sir.” Tilting her head, she wondered whether or not she ought to introduce herself, even though it was not the proper thing to do at present.
She did not have to worry about that, it seemed, for another gentleman, one she recognized, soon appeared over the gentleman’s shoulder.
“Good gracious, Wiltshire,” he said, looking at the fellow who was forced to move aside in order to let the gentleman past. “What did you do? Your countenance is quite…” His gaze strayed to Lucinda and his expression changed in an instant. “Oh, Miss Williams. How very good to see you again. I do not think we have met since last Season.”
“Lord Hoskins,” Lucinda replied, relieved that she had recalled his name, for he was one of the few gentlemen that she had managed to be introduced to last Season. “You are back in London, I see.”
“I am indeed,” he said, smiling at her. “And you have met my acquaintance, I see.” Glancing back at the other gentleman, he then turned back to Lucinda, his lips twitching in a somewhat mirthful manner. “Or have you not yet been introduced?”
Lucinda felt her cheeks burn all the hotter as the fair-haired gentleman dropped his head, clearly embarrassed. “Not as yet, Lord Hoskins,” she said quickly. “I would be glad to be introduced. I thank you.”
Lord Hoskins chuckled quietly and then gestured to his friend. “Might I present Viscount Wiltshire? And Wiltshire, this is the lovely Miss Lucinda Williams, whom I was introduced to last Season. She is the daughter of Viscount Swinton, although,” he craned his neck and looked around, “I do not see him here at present.”
“That is because I am with my aunt,” Lucinda explained quickly. “She is with me, although somewhere within the depths of the shop.” Smiling brightly and forcing herself to push her embarrassment to one side, Lucinda looked back at the gentleman she now knew to be Lord Wiltshire. “I am glad to make your acquaintance, Lord Wiltshire,” she said with a quick curtsy. “Please, there is no need to further apologize for what was merely an accident. Let us think no more about it.”
“I am very grateful to you, Miss Williams,” Lord Wiltshire said with a small bow. “I should be glad to purchase your gloves for you, however, as a mark of my apology.”
It was on the tip of Lucinda’s tongue to refuse, to say that there was no need for him to do so, but she caught something in Lord Wiltshire’s expression that made her hesitate. His eyes were fixed to hers, an eagerness there that she had not expected. Evidently, he was greatly troubled by what had occurred and wanted very much to make amends in some way.
“That—that is very kind of you,” she found herself saying, stumbling over her words. “But there is really no need.”
“I insist.” Lord Wiltshire held out his hand to her and Lucinda placed the gloves in them a little reluctantly, aware of the smile on Lord Hoskins face as he watched the interaction. She did not quite know what to make of it, feeling herself a little embarrassed by it all.
Thankfully, she was soon rescued by Lady Crampton, who came to her niece’s rescue, greeting Lord Hoskins with a welcoming smile and soon being introduced to Lord Wiltshire.
“I am very glad to meet you, Lady Crampton,” Lord Wilt
shire said, inclining his head and then turning his gaze toward Lucinda. “If you will permit me, I have these for Miss Williams.” Again, he lowered his head and then handed her the gloves, which had been neatly wrapped and tied with a ribbon. “A small apology for what occurred, Miss Williams.”
Aware of the sharp look that her aunt was giving her, Lucinda accepted the gloves with a warm smile. “As I have said, Lord Wiltshire, it was nothing more than an accident. You did not mean to collide with me, as I did not intend to collide with you.” Glancing toward her aunt, Lucinda was relieved to see Lady Crampton’s expression become a little less concerned. “Although I must thank you for your kindness in purchasing these for me,” she continued, thinking him very generous indeed. “I shall be certain to wear them at Lord Abernathy’s ball this evening.”
Lord Wiltshire smiled, his eyes lighting up. “I am to attend there also, Miss Williams,” he said warmly. “Perhaps we might meet again.”
“I should like that very much,” Lucinda replied, suddenly aware of just how broad a smile Lord Hoskins now wore. “And you also, Lord Hoskins,” she added hurriedly. “It has been so long since we last conversed that mayhap we shall have time to reacquaint ourselves a little more this evening.”
Lord Hoskins smiled at her, but the knowing look did not leave his eyes. It was as though he knew that she had only directed the last remark toward him in order to save herself any embarrassment and Lucinda once more felt heat climb up into her face but could not do anything to prevent it. Why was she behaving this way? Lord Wiltshire was nothing more than a new acquaintance. There was no need for her to react in such a fashion.
“I look forward to speaking with you both again this evening, then,” Lady Crampton said, taking Lucinda’s arm. “If you will excuse us now, we must take our leave. We are to go to the bookshop and then to Gunter’s.” Her brow lifted slightly. “Unless you would wish to join us?”
Lucinda did not know what had possessed her aunt to ask such a thing, her mouth falling open in astonishment before she had the presence of mind to close it again. That was a rather bold suggestion and Lucinda had never once expected Lady Crampton to even think of it. By the looks on both the gentlemen’s faces, they, too, were rather astonished, for neither of them immediately answered. Instead, their gaze flashed toward each other for a moment and Lucinda saw Lord Hoskins give a barely perceptible shrug.
It seemed it was Lord Wiltshire’s decision, then. For whatever reason, her heart began to quicken, looking at the gentleman before her and wondering whether he found the suggestion to be a welcoming one or if he wished to decline it, albeit in as polite a manner as possible. Much to her astonishment, Lucinda realized that she wanted very much for him to accept the offer, even though it was a little overt.
“I—I should be glad…” Lord Wiltshire closed his eyes and drew in a breath. “That is to say, we should be glad to join you at Gunter’s,” he said as Lord Hoskins nodded his agreement. “I have a few more items I wish to purchase first, so perhaps we might meet there within the hour?”
Lady Crampton appeared quite delighted at this and thus, a time was arranged. Then, with a quick farewell, she led Lucinda out from the shop, seemingly quite pleased with herself. Lucinda could not help but glance over her shoulder back toward Lord Wiltshire and saw him standing with his friend, shaking his head and running one hand through his hair. She did not know what to make of this and forced herself to turn back, looking across at her aunt as they stepped outside into the sunshine.
“You must tell me precisely what occurred, Lucinda!” Lady Crampton exclaimed, the moment the door closed behind them. “Lord Wiltshire appears to be a very generous gentleman and was certainly interested in you. Mayhap I shall have a suggestion for your father within the week.”
Lucinda swallowed hard and tried to consider carefully all that she felt, but her emotions were too many and too fraught to unpick them all. “I—he…” She shook her head. “He was very kind, that is all.”
“Certainly, that is not all!” Lady Crampton exclaimed, laughing. “I have seen many a gentleman be introduced to a lady and none have appeared as overwhelmed as Lord Wiltshire. Besides which, he could barely look away from you.” Clapping her hands together in delight, Lady Crampton seemed almost giddy with excitement. “I must find out more about him. We must know whether his character is acceptable and if, of course, his wealth and title are suitable for your father.”
“Indeed,” Lucinda murmured, surprised at how little reluctance she felt to such a suggestion. “I am sure we will have ample opportunity to speak to him at Gunter’s, Aunt. Although I will confess myself rather surprised at the suggestion.”
Lady Crampton laughed and looped one hand through Lucinda’s arm. “It was all for the best, was it not?” she said, patting Lucinda’s arm with her free hand. “He has accepted and will come to join us. Of course, Lord Hoskins will attend also, but he has no set interest in any young lady of his acquaintance, so I do not believe we need to even consider him.”
Lucinda walked with her aunt and let her words wash over her, not really considering them and certainly not allowing them to penetrate her heart or mind. She was much too caught up in all that she herself was thinking and feeling, quite overwhelmed to have such a myriad of emotions over one particular gentleman. It was most unusual and certainly nothing she had ever experienced before. This would take, she decided, a good deal more consideration and would have to take place after they had met at Gunter’s.
And perhaps after this evening’s ball also.
Suddenly, a knot of excitement formed in her stomach as she thought of attending the ball and speaking again with Lord Wiltshire and Lord Hoskins. Every time thus far she had attended a ball, soiree, or other social gathering, she had always been a little anxious as regarded her father. Either she grew worried about her father’s behavior or she thought about every action, every word she said and every step she took so that she might not displease him. When she was with Lady Crampton, of course, such an ordeal was lessened significantly, but she had never found herself sought out by a gentleman before, had never once experienced the joy in knowing that a gentleman wanted very much to be in her company again.
Mayhap that was to happen to her this evening.
“Lucinda?”
Lucinda looked quickly at her aunt, realizing that she had not heard a word her aunt had been saying these last few minutes. “Yes?”
Lady Crampton studied her for a few moments and then let out a quiet chuckle. “It does not matter, my dear,” she said, letting go of Lucinda’s arm. “You are in the depths of your own considerations and I cannot judge you for that, not after such a meeting.” With another smile, she gestured for Lucinda to step into the bookshop and, after only a moment, Lucinda did so. This afternoon had, it seemed, turned out to be a very interesting one indeed.
4
“I declare, I have never seen the like.”
“I do not know what you mean,” Phillip replied firmly, despite being fully aware of what Lord Hoskins was referring to. “I have done nothing worthy of comment.”
Lord Hoskins laughed so loudly that a few of the evening’s guests turned to look at him, much to Phillip’s embarrassment.
“You continue to pretend but I shall not believe it,” Lord Hoskins declared firmly. “I saw your reaction to Miss Williams this afternoon and then again at Gunter’s, where you could barely think of what to say and yet could not take your eyes from her.” Chuckling still, he gave his friend a small jab in the side. “Do you think her quite lovely?”
Phillip considered for a moment whether or not he would speak the truth or if he would continue to pretend. Seeing how his friend grinned, he sighed heavily and decided to speak the truth. “I have never met a lady who has captured my attention in such a way as Miss Williams,” he admitted as Lord Hoskins’ beamed with evident delight that he had begun to speak the truth. “I saw her first at a ball some days ago and did not tell you the truth of it then, believin
g that I would be able to remove her from my thoughts.” He waved a hand. “But as you were present with me this afternoon and, unfortunately, came across my foolishness at the very time I was doing all I could to make amends, it seems that the truth must be spoken.” Sighing again, he reached for a glass of brandy and took a long sip. “She is remarkable.”
“In appearance, yes, I will admit to it,” Lord Hoskins replied with a small lift of his brow. “But you know nothing of her character.”
“Something I intend to set to rights just as soon as I can,” Phillip replied quickly. “Pray, I beg you, do not mock me for this, Hoskins. It is a very strange situation I find myself in and I confess I am not quite certain what to do next or why I have this strong pull toward her.”
Lord Hoskins neither smiled nor laughed at this remark but instead looked back at Phillip steadily. “I shall swear not to mock you from this day onward,” he said, one hand pressed against his heart. “I have only done so thus far in the hope that you would tell me the truth of the matter. Now that you have done so, I confess I have no desire to continue to jest. Rather, I think it is a very serious matter.”
Phillip narrowed his eyes, not quite certain whether to believe his friend.
“I am speaking the truth,” Lord Hoskins protested, looking back at Phillip with wide eyes, clearly aware that he had not yet fully convinced him. “And surely you know that you can trust me to keep my word.” He grinned, his eyes twinkling. “After all, did I not keep my word when it came to Lord Swinton?”
Phillip rolled his eyes. Paying Lord Hoskins’ debt had been rather painful, hurting more his pride than his finances. “Hoskins, all you did was prove that Lord Swinton is a gentleman prone to winning cards,” he said with a shake of his head. “I was the one who kept my word given that I paid your debt at White’s.” He shook his head and continued to look around the ballroom in the hope of spying Miss Williams. “Although why you should bring Lord Swinton into the discussion at this juncture, I cannot understand.”