Page 43 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
She had taken most of the marquess’ attention, making it difficult to get a word in edgewise. Fortunately, Lord Sculthorpe had been there to help Agnes from looking like a complete fool by keeping her amused just as he had done the first time they met.
It had been considerably unfair of Phoebe to ignore Lord Sculthorpe when he had obviously wished to be with her. The man was clearly interested in her, but Phoebe only wanted Lord Hampton.
“What did the address say?” Lavinia asked. “I do not think we have arrived yet.”
Agnes took out the note and read the address to her sister before folding it and tucking it into her reticule.
“It’s just as I thought,” Lavinia said. “We’re on the left side of the pond while he is waiting on the right side. I think we came through the wrong gate.”
Agnes tapped her forehead, annoyed that she had not seen that sooner. “Of course! No wonder we cannot see him yet. He is not even here! Should we walk around the pond or go back to where we started and take the right turn?”
“Going back might take longer to reach him,” Lavinia pointed out. “He might leave thinking that we did not arrive. Let’s look for another way to reach him.”
“Short of swimming across the pond, I do not see how we’ll get there,” said Agnes, worried that she would not see Lord Hampton today.
She had so much to prove, and this might be her only opportunity to show him all she had to offer.
“I think there is a bridge further down,” Lavinia said, her eyes narrowing as she searched the area.
“How can you be so sure?” Agnes asked, looking in the same direction.
The woman shrugged. “I am not certain, but it makes no sense to have an entire pond separating one area, and I doubt we are the only people to have made the mistake of taking the wrong turn. Surely they made a way for people to walk across without needing to turn back?”
Agnes hoped her sister was right for both their futures’ sakes. They walked down, searching high and low for anything that might help them reach the marquess on time. Just when Agnes was about to give up, a small bridge appeared almost out of nowhere. It was so small that two people could not walk side by side, but it seemed sturdy enough to cross it.
“Allow me to cross it first,” Lavinia offered. “If it breaks, I shall fall in and become wet, while you will still be dry enough to see Lord Hampton.”
“Lord Hampton will be the least of my worries if you fall in, you silly girl,” Agnes chided. “I will have to jump in and help you out of the pond; then we shall both be wet and miserable.”
“Oh goodness!” Lavinia exclaimed. “Where is your optimism that I know and adore? The cheerful sister that left me alone in Lydney?”
“Is this supposed to make me feel better?” Agnes asked, wrinkling her nose.
“Is it working?”
“No.”
Lavinia sighed. “I admit that I am not the best at giving motivational speeches. I usually depend on you to cheer me up again; thus, I find it difficult now that I have to help you. I simply need more practice.”
“Do not practice it now,” Agnes begged. “You might unwittingly make me feel worse.”
“Duly noted. Now, I shall walk slowly across this bridge, but I shall return if I encounter a weak spot. I, too, do not wish to be wet. We are both wearing white today, and it is not a colour with much coverage when wet. Not even our undergarments will provide the modestly we seek.”
Agnes grimaced at the thought. They would be the talk of Cheltenham, and the duchess would surely change her opinion of her.
“Please, be careful,” Agnes urged.
Lavinia nodded and slowly made her way across the bridge, holding her arms out for balance.
“Everything seems good so far, Aggie,” she called out. “I think it is safe.”
“Get to the other side before you tell me it is safe!”
Lavinia chuckled, jumping onto the grass as she reached the end and struck a pose. “Where is my applause?”
Laughing, Agnes clapped for her and approached the bridge, tapping it with her foot before stepping on it. She was a little heavier than her sister, so she still had to be careful about crossing it. Time was likely ticking by quickly, but they had arrived early, so they should have a little time to spare.
“You are even slower than I am,” her sister pointed out.
