Page 9 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
“Of course you are, what with all that’s happened of late,” Meg said before popping a piece of cheese into her mouth.
Felicity tipped her head back to take in the sunshine and forced herself to relax and enjoy this afternoon with her friends. The only one missing was Ann, and no one could blame their sweet redheaded friend for wanting to spend this lovely summer afternoon with her new suitor. Truly, she’d been surprised that Meg and Jane weren’t spending the day with their fiancés as well, but she was selfishly grateful for it.
Ann’s latest coup with Lord Kalvin meant Felicity’s days of sunshine and freedom with her fellow wallflower friends was truly coming to an end.
Her time had come.
Tomorrow, she promised herself. Tomorrow she’d put her mind to the task of choosing her match and then she’d make it happen.
Her confidence came not from her charms nor her beauty. It was simply that all of London knew that she was an heiress with a dowry fit for a queen. All she had to do was find a chap in need of a fortune, and with enough good standing to suit her parents.
Which was most gentlemen, her uncle had assured her.It takes funds to keep an estate running well, so don’t despair, child, he’d told her only that morning.
I’m not despairing, Uncle, she’d assured him in return.
Jane leaned forward and her quiet voice was nearly lost in the breeze. “Shall I ask Jasper to speak to Albright?” Her brows were knitted in concern on Felicity’s behalf.
Felicity shook her head, which sent her curls bouncing and then the wind blew a large swatch of hair into her face. She shook her head and pushed her hair back. “No, but thank you. Your husband-to-be is right to stay out of it. If Albright believes his reputation is best protected by steering clear of this mess, then you should both keep doing what you’re doing.”
Meg nudged Jane’s arm teasingly. “And what are you two doing, anyway?”
Jane blushed as she giggled. “You’d know, Meg.”
Meg laughed as well, but she seemed far from embarrassed. “I’m so glad you and Lord Marlin are getting on so well.”
Jane didn’t respond but she reached for a piece of fruit with a satisfied smile.
“And you and Carver?” Felicity asked Meg. “How are the wedding preparations?”
“Splendid.” Meg beamed. “My mother and his aunt are so passionate about the topic, I have little to do but plan rendezvous with my intended.”
Felicity laughed along with Jane.
“I am glad we’re doing this today,” Meg added. She reached out and squeezed both their hands. “I miss Ann, but I’m glad we’re here today.”
Jane nodded. “It will be so much more difficult to arrange these gatherings once we all have families of our own.”
“But we will,” Meg declared. “We’ll always find time for one another.”
Felicity smiled at her friend. Lud, she hoped that was true. Her heart gave a little squeeze as she tried to imagine the future.
She was so very happy for her friends, but in the end, she knew that they’d each found not just a love match but…a friend. A partner.
She didn’t expect to find the same, and she didn’t even want such a thing, necessarily. But it did make her feel lonely to know that while they’d all be marrying a dear friend…
And she’d be losing all of hers. She had no doubt they’d still remain close. But it wouldn’t be the same. It would no longer be the four of them against the world. They wouldn’t have their little corner table at balls or meet for tea quite so often…
She cut off a maudlin sigh and instead turned her attention to the crowded walkway nearby. No sign of Albright.
Truly. What was taking him so long? Two days had passed, and surely by now he could have figured out where to find her. It wasn’t as though she’d been hiding.
She shifted on the blanket, dimly aware of Meg’s chatter and the sound of her chaperone’s ever-present giveaway—clicking knitting needles.
Felicity often thought she might marry the first available lord just to escape the dreadedclick-click-clicksound that had begun to haunt her dreams.
She was so busy looking down the path, Felicity jumped when Lord Marlin’s deep voice came from behind her. “Pardon us, ladies.”
Jane leapt to her feet with an enthusiasm that might have been embarrassing if Lord Marlin wasn’t gazing upon his betrothed with equally embarrassing infatuation. He held his hands out to her and only had eyes for Jane as he continued. “I hope you don’t mind us interrupting like this but Lord Albright was curious as to your whereabouts and, well…”
