Page 14 of The Truth about the Marquess
Lady Harsham winced.
“That might be so, I am afraid. Do you wish me to tell you the details?”
Nodding, Oliver let out a slow breath. “I suppose it would be best. I shall not continue my connection with her, of course, but all the same, I should like to know what it is that will, no doubt, shock thetonwhen they hear that I have been walking with her.”
With a small sigh, Lady Harsham looked up at him, beginning to walk slowly again.
“Thetoncan be rather difficult, can they not? Though all the same, in this instance, it appears to me that Miss Dutton was the one who behaved improperly. I say this because I have been informed by a close friend that Miss Dutton herself was the one who pursued a gentleman.”
“Pursued?” Oliver frowned. “A young lady seeking a match with a particular fellow is not a bad thing, is it?”
A flush crept into Lady Harsham’s cheeks.
“I do not mean to say that she sought a match, Lord Edenbridge. It is more that she sought a connection that would not lead to marriage, if you can understand my meaning.” Glancing at him, she closed her eyes and laughed though Oliver understood it came from a sense of embarrassment. “It was to be nothing more than a brief connection, I believe. The gentleman, Lord Soutar, claims that it was the lady’s doing and not his own, though I am uncertain as to who speaks the truth.”
A slight heat pulled into Oliver’s chest.
“Ah. I believe I fully understand.” He cleared his throat gruffly, looking away from her for fear that his face would grow hot. “That would explain, then, why there was such shock over my connection with the lady, yes? And in addition, it would also explain why she appeared so fervent in her desire to dance with me.”
Despite his attempts, he felt that very same heat creep up into his neck and then, into his face. Having no choice but to turn his head back towards her for fear that she would think him rude otherwise, he lifted his shoulders and then let them fall, saying nothing more.
Lady Harsham offered him just a small smile, and the two then walked in silence for some moments. It was not an uncomfortable silence, however, Oliver noticed. Rather, he felt himself slowly beginning to settle inwardly, a growing sense of peace overtaking him. Whether it was the lady’s company, he did not know, but all the same, he appreciated it.
“I am sure that the gentlemen speaking with you will have recognized that you did not know the lady” Finally breaking the silence, Lady Harsham stopped, smiled at him, and thengestured to the path which turned to the left. “I think I shall walk this way, Lord Edenbridge. Thank you for your company.”
“No, thank you for yours!” Oliver exclaimed, bowing swiftly. “Lady Harsham, I am in your debt. You did not need to come and join me as you did, but in your kindness, you took pity on me and chose to do so. Thank you for that. I think that I would have been quite lost in shame had you not done so! And I must also thank you for your willingness to explain to me about Miss Dutton, something which I would not have fully understood so quickly unless you had spoken so.” With a small sigh, he pressed his lips flat and then looked away, a small sigh escaping him. “It seems that I am doomed to failure.”
“Failure?” A slight lift of the lady’s eyebrow betrayed her curiosity, though Oliver did not want to explain all. He had already burdened her enough, he considered, his lips quirking a little.
“Let me just say that I have found it a little more difficult to find a suitable young lady to court than I had otherwise expected.” It was a clear but simple answer, accompanied by another shrug and a wry smile. “But I am sure that, despite the mistakes I have made and the missteps I have taken, I will be successful at some point soon.”
Lady Harsham smiled.
“I am sure that you will,” she answered, softly. “Though if you are truly in as much difficulty as you state, might I suggest that you consider writing to The London Chronicle? It seems to me as though the advice given to the first letter – printed today – has gone down rather well in society. Mayhap you will find something similar to assist you, also.”
Dismissing the idea inwardly, Oliver nodded, smiled, and thanked her for her advice. When she excused herself and turned away, Oliver could not help but watch her leave, thinkingsilently that Lady Harsham was a very kind lady, one with a sympathetic heart and a gentle spirit.
Her husband must be very fortunate to have her as his wife.The thought came with a hint of sadness in its wake, though Oliver quickly threw it off and, with a silent berating of himself for such foolish thoughts, turned on his heel and walked back towards his carriage.
The afternoon had not ended as dreadfully as it might otherwise have done, and for that, Oliver was very grateful indeed. There was even a slight lift in his step as he made his way through the park and that, he knew, was solely because of Lady Harsham.
Chapter Six
Why ever did I suggest that he write to The London Chronicle?
Jane pushed a strand of hair back behind her ear as she looked through the three letters that had arrived for her to consider. Part of her hoped that Lord Edenbridge had written to her, but the other part of her dreaded it, wondering what she might say to assist him. What had possessed her to suggest such a thing to him, she could not say, but there had been something in his eyes that had made sympathy build within her heart. Yes, he had obviously – and badly – misstepped with Miss Dutton… and that was the second time he had done so, so he had said, and thus, she had felt rather sorry for him. Lord Edenbridge did appear to be a good sort of gentleman, although, she reminded herself, that did not mean that he was. Her husband had not been a good fellow at all, and she had only learned the extent of his dark temper and cruel character once she had been married to him. Reading the second letter, Jane squeezed her eyes closed tight, her lips bunching. This letter, the one which had no name, sounded as though it might well be from Lord Edenbridge – though she had very little idea of what to say in response!
A knock at the door made her start in surprise, having been lost in her thoughts about Lord Edenbridge.
“Yes?”
The butler opened the door.
“Lady Guilford, my Lady.”
Jane rose at once.
“A tea tray, if you please.” Having directed the butler, she beamed as her friend came into the room, delighted to see her. “Louisa! How good to see you. Why are you here?”
