Page 14 of Kismet

“Yes, but it is nowhere near the center,” Theodore complained. While he had been relatively good-natured about his learning curve, he couldn't shake his disappointment with the outcome.

“It took me months to hit the target. You are doing well,” Lydia encouraged him.

Lady Derby approached the group. “I hate to ruin the fun, but your carriage has come, and I need to prepare for my calls later.”

Looking around at the empty yard, Catherine’s eyes grew round. “I am sorry we lingered so long. I do hope we have not disrupted your day.”

“Oh, I had a marvelous time.” Lady Derby smiled as Catherine and Lydia started to strengthen things up.

Going over to Lady Derby, Theodore bowed and said, “I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for having me, Lady Derby. I did not expect to learn so much while I was here.”

“You are always welcome to come back. In fact, I will see about having you invited to one of our dinners. I think my husband would be more than happy to meet you.” Walking with them through the house, she saw them off.

Catherine noticed the twinkle in Theodore's eyes as he smiled, and it made her heart feel warm. He had offered to take them to Gunter’s for ices before taking them back to Darcy House. “How are you liking yours, Lydia?” she asked.

Lydia had been sitting there, her face frozen in visible delight, with her eyes closed as if to better enjoy the flavor on her tongue. Opening her eyes, she blushed at being caught enjoying the treat. “I have to admit, this is really delicious,” she said, taking another bite. “I have a weakness for ices, and you're aware of it. This time I tried bergamot. Did you get maple again?”

“Yes, it is my favorite, after all.” Catherine took another bite. She enjoyed ices, but apparently not quite as much as her younger sister.

“I will have to remember how much you prefer ices if I need to bribe you in the future,” Theodore spoke up from where he sat across from Catherine and Lydia.

They had taken their treats to the little park across the street and were eating it under the maple trees there. A gentle breeze danced through the leaves, creating a peaceful ambiance. It was a popular spot and while most came to see and be seen, other people were spread out, enjoying their own treats.

Catherine looked up and spotted Miss Selene Burgess and a gentleman that she did not know. She had almost forgotten how much she had enjoyed talking with her at the ball before the horrible accident that had taken Cedric’s life. The young woman had seemed to be rather fond of Cedric and Catherine pondered this as she noticed Selene’s lavender dress—a possible sign of mourning. Was it possible that she had been grieving Cedric’s death in her own way? Catherine smiled as they connected eyes, happy when it appeared that she was coming over to greet them.

“Miss Catherine, it is a pleasure to see you here,” Miss Selene called as she approached on the arm of a very tall gentleman who looked remarkably like her. He also had pitch black hair that seemed to curl in wild abandon, and deep blue eyes that seemed to see everything.

“Yes, I am so sorry that I forgot to reach out to you—” Catherine paused and looked over at Theodore. “I had meant to try to reach out to you, but, well…” She was worried about saying anything about why she had so distracted.

“I understand perfectly well.” Selene smiled grimly. Everyone had heard about the accident that had taken the Earl of Matlock’s life.

“Miss Selene, I do not think you know my little sister. Miss Selene Burgess, may I present my little sister, Miss Lydia Bennet? Lydia, my new friend Miss Selene Burgess.”

“If we are introducing our younger siblings, may I introduce my little brother, Mr. Sebastian Burgess? Sebastian, my friends Miss Catherine Bennet and Miss Lydia Bennet, and this is Colonel Theodore Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock.”

Earl of Matlock. Those words caused a wave of grief and uncertainty every time Theodore heard them and he wasn’t sure he would ever grow accustomed to it. He shifted his attention to Mr. Burgess as the young man spoke. “It is a pleasure to meet you all. My sister told me how very much she had enjoyed meeting you after the ball.” The tall man's white, toothy smile was the first thing Theodore noticed as he bowed to them all.

Selene seemed to reach out towards Theodore, but then pulled her hand back. She waited for him to meet her eyes before speaking. “My lord, I had no way to reach out to you, but I wanted to offer my condolences. The world has lost a remarkable man. Although it may sound trite, the world seems less bright now that he's gone.”

Even though he had already finished his ice, Theodore swallowed hard. He knew his brother had been developing feelings for the young woman, but it was nice to realize it had been reciprocal. “Yes, the world is darker without him in it. Thank you for your kind sentiments.”

The silence was rather tense until Lydia spoke up. “So what flavor of ice did you choose, Mr. Burgess?”

“Oh, um, I am not fond of ices.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked down at Lydia awkwardly.

“He only comes because he knows how much I enjoy them.” Selene squeezed her brother's arm as she spoke. It was obvious they were quite close.

“Not like ices? Miss Selene, I am afraid there might be something seriously wrong with your brother.” Lydia's playful jab at Mr. Burgess was a welcome distraction from the somber mood that had settled over the group. One by one, they began to laugh at her comment. Even Theodore smiled.

Chapter Seven

Theodore was humming happily when he returned home, causing him to pause momentarily as he went up the steps. How long had it been since he had hummed as he went about his day? It had been too long. The door opened automatically as he resumed his approach.

“Welcome home, my lord,” the footman greeted.

“Thank you, Jones.” Taking off his gloves, Theodore handed them to the footman.

“Theodore, you are home,” was his mother's way of greeting from the landing halfway up the stairs. She had either been going up or coming down when his arrival caught her attention. “I had thought you would never return from carting those girls around. Really, I would have thought Darcy would know that you have much more important things to do with your time now that you are the earl.”

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