Page 27 of The Truth about the Earl
James shrugged his shoulders. “I would not say that I have any particular inclination toward Lady Essington.” His conscience burned but he did not refute his previous remark, choosing instead just to look steadily back at Lord Huntsford without further comment.
“You are jesting, I am certain of it!”
“I am not jesting.” James cleared his throat, a little uncertain as to why he did not want his friend to know the truth. “Lady Essington is a delightful lady but –”
“But she is a widow and you believe she is not at all eager to marry again?”
James cleared his throat and looked away.
“Why is it you will not admit the truth?”
“Perhaps I do not wish to!” James threw up his hands, a little exasperated. “There is, mayhap, a great deal of confusion on my part!”
His friend frowned. “Confusion?”
Given that I have already spoken a little truth to him, I may as well explain further.
Sighing, James dropped his head. “I was greatly enamored with Lady Maude, was I not?”
“Yes, you were.”
“And you then, very helpfully, I might add, showed me that my consideration of the lady was based not only on her outward beauty but also with the hope that I might, somehow, be blessed with a little favor. My pride was eager for her to turn her attention toward me so I might be considered all the more favorably by theton. I wanted the status, I suppose.”
Lord Huntsford’s eyebrows drew together even more. “And what has this to do with your consideration of Lady Essington?”
James spread his hands. “What if I am doing the very same thing again?”
He watched as Lord Huntsford’s eyes widened and his lips pulled into a wide grin.
“Good gracious, man! There is not even the smallest similarity between the two ladies! Lady Essington is quite lovely, I agree, but there is nothing of the arrogance nor selfishness that you now see displayed in Lady Maude’s character.”
Chewing on his lip, James considered this. “That is true.”
“Tell me, what think you of Lady Essington’s conversation?”
A smile began to pull at James’ lips. “I find her conversation most pleasing,” he began, as Lord Huntsford nodded. “We are easily able to converse on a number of topics and I find that we often share a little mirth during our times of conversation.” His smile grew. “She is quite delightful, I think.”
“And her character?”
Musing for a moment, James rubbed at his chin, his gaze drifting toward the corner of Whites’. “Her character is one of gentleness, although there is a strength within her that I believe comes from the loss that she has endured. I see her continually watching those around her as though she is interested in theircomings and goings but, at the same time, shows no inclination toward gossiping or spreading rumors.”
“Something that you find most pleasing, I assume?”
“Indeed.” James grinned as his friend chuckled. “You know I have great difficulty with such things. It is all the more delightful that Lady Essington does not engage with such a thing either.”
Lord Huntsford spread out one hand, the other holding his glass of whiskey. “Then might I suggest youaredrawn to Lady Essington in a way that you never truly were with Lady Maude. I say such a thing because you know of her character, you delight in her conversation and, while she is quite lovely, you do not find yourself speaking only of her outward appearance. In short, my dear fellow, I do not consider that you need to have any concern when it comes to the lady. You are clearly a good deal more considered when it comes to her.”
James let out a long breath – a breath that he had not known he had been holding – and found himself smiling. “I find that I am somewhat relieved,” he stated, as his friend laughed. “Forgive me for attempting to keep such a thing to myself. You know now why I tried to do so.”
“I do, but you need not fear speaking honestly with me.” Lord Huntsford waved his empty glass toward a passing footman, who came immediately to collect it. “And now, alas, I fear that our time here has come to an end and we must now make our way to the evening assembly.”
Smiling, James found himself rather looking forward to the evening now, having been a little reluctant before. Perhaps, in sorting out his true feelings as regarded Lady Essington, he was now able to enjoy her company with clear intention. “We should not want to be too tardy, I grant you.”
“Lord Guthrie will not mind, I am certain,” Lord Huntsford replied, with a grin. “He will already be in his cups, I am quite sure of it!”
Chuckling, James rose and followed after his friend. He was eager now to see Lady Essington again, eager to be back in conversation with her, eager to allow his heart every gentle stirring, every flicker of deeper emotion that, thus far, he had been unwilling to identify fully. This was, mayhap, going to be a somewhat illuminating evening and he found himself growing more impatient with every step he took.
Good evening, Lady Essington.”James bowed low, lifting his gaze back to the lady almost the very first moment he could. She was dressed in a deep green gown which brought his attention fully to the color of her eyes. Allowing his gaze to fasten itself to hers, James became all too aware of the quickening of his heart, the way he caught his breath, and the growing appreciation of her that built in his heart.
