Page 46 of Seducing a Frigid Lady
Lady Caroline’s brown eyes widened at that, and she quickly shook her head. “Oh, I am not so certain of that. Lord Sinclair is a fine man, but I think he was just being friendly with us all.”
“Then you have thought no more about your family’s wishes?” Priscilla asked, hoping that she was being discreet enough that Lady Caroline wouldn’t immediately guess what she was trying to do.
“I mean, from what you said at the hat maker’s a few weeks ago, they are quite adamant that Lord Sinclair would make a fine match for you.”
Lady Caroline glanced down at that, her cheeks reddening as if she were embarrassed. She played with the drawstrings of her reticule around her wrist and shook her head. “It is what they want, though I am not certain it is what I would want.”
“How will you know if you do not give it a chance?” Priscilla pointed out, her stomach churning now. Everything in her was screaming at her to stop, to change her mind and just admit that she had feelings for the viscount. And yet her stubbornness and her pride would not allow her to do any such thing.
It was better this way. If she gave him up now, she could go on with her life and forget all about him. If Lady Caroline managed to take his attention from her, then she could at least be certain he would get what he needed from someone.
At least, that was what she told herself. The truth was, she had no idea what it was that he needed. All she knew was that she needed to stay away from him. He had already caused enough trouble for her.
“I am unsure as to what you mean,” Lady Caroline admitted, though she did look intrigued.
“Lady Caroline, as your friend, I would hate for you to pass up an opportunity at happiness just because you are unsure,” Priscilla said, smiling. Though she did feel a small wave of guilt at trying to place the woman between herself and the viscount.
“After all, your parents may very well be right. What if you missed the opportunity for a love-match just because you are frightened of the future?”
“How… how did you know?” Lady Caroline gasped, looking quite astonished, and Priscilla’s stomach churned. She hadn’t realised that she had hit the nail so hard on the head.
Priscilla opened her mouth to respond, unsure as to what to say, but the commotion that suddenly grew near the main doors of the room alerted them both to the presence of exceptional newcomers. And even before she turned to look, Priscilla guessed she knew what she would find.
She was right. Lord Sinclair and Mr. Parr had entered. And the bruise upon the viscount’s cheek immediately reminded Priscilla of why she had entered into this conversation in the first place.
“Speak of the devil,” Lady Caroline chuckled as she also turned to look at him and the crowd of women who had already begun to surround him and his cousin.
“You ought to go and speak to him,” Priscilla insisted, wishing to get as far from Lord Sinclair as humanly possible before he managed to catch sight of her. “I happen to know for a fact he has greatly enjoyed your company of late.”
Priscilla only felt half guilty at her words. They weren’t exactly untrue. She did remember the viscount telling her that he thought Lady Caroline was a fine and friendly woman and he did find her company far nicer than many of the other women of theton.
“You know what, I rather think I shall,” Lady Caroline announced, and she surprised Priscilla when she leaned in and gripped her in a hug. “Thank you, Miss Lloyd, for the confidence boost.”
Chapter 16
When next Lionel saw Miss Priscilla at the gallery, he was already well aware of the rumours that had spread of him and Mr. Kenyon—and of her. And he was not in the least bit shocked when she made a show of keeping her distance from him.
He could not say that he blamed her and so he left her be. Though he watched her from afar when nobody was looking, and he longed so desperately to meet her gaze.
It never came. And oddly, he felt as though his heart was being crushed under the weight of such knowledge. So much so that he could not stop himself from going towards the next best thing.
Leaving Lady Caroline, who had been quite adamant to talk with him for a change, Lionel spotted Miss Lyttleton alone close by. Seeing his chance to get some answers, he swooped on it, knowing it might be his last.
“Miss Lyttleton,” he greeted her as respectfully as any other woman of theton, bowing his head and offering a gentle smile.
“Lord Sinclair,” Miss Lyttleton exclaimed, looking just as shocked by his approach as she sounded. She dropped into a curtsey, dipping her head low and when she rose once more her cheeks were flushed. Her gaze remained low, as though she could not quite bring herself to look him in the eye.
“Was there something you wished to discuss with me, my lord?”
Miss Lyttleton was certainly perceptible.
“I am concerned for Miss Lloyd,” Lionel admitted, deciding it was best not to beat around the bush or risk being interrupted. “I do hope that these rumours going around have not upset her too badly.”
At that, Miss Lyttleton looked up. The surprise in her gaze suggested that she had not expected him to even think of the consequences of such rumours for Miss Lloyd.
Lionel scoffed inwardly. He couldn’t blame her. There were many men of thetonwho would cause havoc throughout society without so much as batting an eyelid towards the consequences of their actions for others.
“My lord, I fear she is quite upset indeed,” Miss Lyttleton admitted, her gaze averting from his as though she was fearful he might blame her for the fact.
