Page 2 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
Felicity heaved a sigh. She was delighted for her friends. Truly. But she couldn’t help feeling just a little despondent when she considered that come this time next year she’d be all alone.
This Season had only been bearable because at every social event she and her friends had found a place well out of view—as was befitting a cluster of wallflowers.
But next year…
She pursed her lips. Well, by next year she’d be married off as well, wouldn’t she? No matter what. Her father had already made it clear that if she didn’t make a match on her own this Season, he’d make one for her.
Her nose scrunched and her next bite of apple was another loud snap.
She supposed it was time to take matters in hand. It was an odious task, to be certain, but she’d far rather choose her own future than let her father have the only say.
Her sigh was nearly as loud as the crunch of her apple.
She might well have spent the remainder of the afternoon wallowing over her prospects, but fortunately a distraction arrived at her uncle’s doorstep in the form of…
She straightened. Lord Albright? What was he doing here?
One of Ann’s two potential suitors, and by all accounts a good chap. Nice, yes—that went without saying. Albright was renowned for his easy smile and his laid back charm. So yes, nice and all that…but good too.
Which was why Felicity almost felt sorry that he’d never win Ann’s hand. They’d make a good match if Ann’s heart hadn’t been stolen by a Marquess.
Felicity leaned forward as Albright approached the house. His easy smile was nowhere to be seen and he was eyeing the door with a fixedness that was most alarming.
He seemed to be considering his options as he hesitated.
Where he chose to pause happened to be just beneath the tree, and Felicity hesitated and considered as well. Should she announce herself?
She winced at the thought. She’d never had much concern for propriety, much to her mother’s great distress. But even she understood that to be found sitting in a tree was…unconventional.
She waited too long, because then he was moving even closer to the tree. So close, he was right beneath her, and now she hesitated to announce herself because…
Well, two reasons. One, she’d give him quite a start. And two, if he looked up now he’d have quite the view.
She quietly tucked her skirt even tighter between her legs and resigned herself to wait.
Perhaps he’d just wanted a respite from the sunshine. The shade from this treewasrather lovely. But he didn’t rest against the trunk or remove his handkerchief to wipe his brow.
No, he seemed to be attempting to blend into the shadows while getting ever closer to her uncle’s open window.
Felicity’s eyes narrowed as she stared down at this supposedly good man Albright.
What was he about?
Why was he eavesdropping on her uncle?
Not that she could judge, really, when she’d been doing the same. But still. He washeruncle, not his. And it was hardly her fault she’d been driven to tears with boredom.
Seconds passed, then minutes. Her curiosity rose with every passing heartbeat, and no amount of staring down at Albright’s full head of hair helped her to discern anything…
Other than the fact that he really did have an excellent head of hair. Her balding father would be jealous.
When it became clear that Albright was in no hurry to move, Felicity’s curiosity won out over reason. Sadly for Felicity’s parents, this was most often the case for her.
Without entirely thinking through the consequences, Felicity allowed impatience to drive her over the edge.
Literally.
She leapt off the limb and landed on her feet…right in front of Albright.
