Page 39 of The Truth about the Viscount
Lady Patience’s eyes glistened, though she smiled with it, making him want to pull her tight against his heart. He did not, however, and they remained standing quietly again for only a few moments.
Then, Lady Patience took a breath.
“Then shall we go?” she asked, a slight tremor in her voice. “Perhaps to my mother, first?”
Daniel nodded, setting her hand on his arm, and ignoring the ball of nervousness and doubt which coiled within him, made his way into the crowd, ready to declare himself betrothed to Lady Patience.
Chapter Fourteen
“Mama?”
Patience’s whole body was trembling, such was the suddenness of her new betrothal. She did not know what her mother would say to such a thing, but she was already certain that there would be no serious complaint. Yes, there would be a degree of surprise, but Lord Hastings had enough of a fortune and good standing in society for this to be nothing but accepted.
“Yes, my dear?” Lady Osterley turned, only to look up in surprise at Lord Hastings. “Oh, good evening, Lord Hastings. How very good to see you.”
She smiled but then glanced down at Patience’s hand on Lord Hastings’ arm before turning enquiring eyes towards Patience.
“Mama, I have something to tell you.” Her heart beating furiously, Patience looked back at her mother steadily, just as Christina came to join them. “Lord Hastings has asked for my hand, and I have accepted him – this in lieu of father’s acceptance, of course, which I am sure will be given.”
Fixing a smile on her face as she waited for her mother’s response, Patience took in the astonishment that filled her mother’s expression. Her eyes flared wide, her mouth roundinginto a circle while Christina let out a choked sound, making Patience wince just a little.
“Betrothed?” her mother whispered, her gaze going from Patience to Lord Hastings and back again. “You wish to marry my Patience?”
Lord Hastings nodded.
“I do. Very much. My heart desires only her.”
The sincerity in his tone made Patience’s heart warm, only for her to close her eyes for a moment, recalling what it was that had made this betrothal take place. Lord Hastings was very kind to speak so, but there was no real truth to it, she knew.Not as yet.Taking a breath, she kept her smile fixed in place. Perhaps things would change, in time.
“My goodness.” Lady Osterley paused for a moment, only for her then to fling her arms around Patience’s neck, exclaiming wildly as she did so. “This is quite wonderful! How delightful to hear this news! I cannot believe that you have found so excellent a match, Patience, and without even an official courtship first!” Releasing her, she then grasped Lord Hastings’ hand. “I know that you have been spending time in Patience’s company, of course, but I did not think that such a desire would grow so quickly!”
“Well, it has.” Lord Hastings beamed with what, to everyone else, looked like genuine delight, though Patience knew otherwise. “I do hope that you will permit me to tell my friends here this evening? It is wonderful news, and I should very much like to share it. Though, if you think it best to wait for Lord Osterley’s consent, then I quite understand.”
Lady Osterley shook her head.
“No, no, we need not wait. He will bemorethan delighted, I assure you. Ofcourse,you must go and tell as many others as you wish – and I shall too.”
“How wonderful.” Christina stepped forward and immediately embraced Patience, though Patience caught the look of confusion that lingered in her eyes when she pulled back. “You will have to tell me all about it in greater detail later this evening, Patience. I must know how it is that Lord Hastings proposed.”
“I shall.” Seeing that her sister suspected that there was something more to this, Patience could only look away, turning her gaze up to Lord Hastings. “Might we take a turn about the room? I cannot recall if Eleanor is present this evening, but if she is, I should like to see her.”
He nodded, his smile still in place.
“Of course.” With a nod to Lady Osterley, he led them both away and Patience walked with him, feeling the need to lean into him a little more. They walked in silence for a few minutes, nodding and smiling at a few other guests, until finally, Lord Hastings spoke. “I cannot quite believe that we are betrothed.” He looked down at her, his blue eyes seeming to glow with a sense of happiness, though Patience was rather surprised to see it. “I shall have to tell my mother and sister as soon as I return home. Neither of them went out this evening, for they were both a little fatigued still from a ball last evening.” A slight glint came into his eyes. “We shall have to make sure that Isabella is wed first, however, since she was betrothed first.”
The thought of standing up in church and making her vows to Lord Hastings sent both a flurry of pleasure and doubt running through Patience’s frame. It had all been so sudden, she was still trying to take in her new situation though the fact that Lord Hastings appeared to be so contented with their betrothal did bring her a good deal of relief.
“Betrothed?”
Patience swallowed at the tightness in her throat just as Lord Hastings greeted Lady Gregson, one of the most renownedgossips in theton. She had overheard Lord Hastings saying something about the betrothal and, without hesitation, had broken into their conversation to find out what it might be about. Normally, Patience might have found herself a little disinclined towards the lady’s company but now, in this circumstance, she welcomed it.
“Good evening, Lady Gregson.” She glanced up at Lord Hastings. “Yes, it is as you heard. Lord Hastings and I are now announcing our betrothal to theton.”
Lady Gregson gasped, one hand at her mouth, her eyes flaring wide as the attention of many others was caught by her actions.
“Did you say… betrothed?” Lady Gregson whispered, a small smile tipping up one side of her mouth, clearly delighted thatshewas to be the first one to know of it. “Truly?”
Lord Hastings nodded.
