A New Beginning by Rose Pearson

Author:Rose Pearson
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2019-05-31T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Emily did her very best to forget about every single word Lord Havisham had spoken to her but found that, in the coming days, she had been unable to push him from her mind. Lord Havisham was charming, handsome and kind – which should be every young lady’s hopes when it came to securing a husband – and yet, she told herself, she had no desire to marry again and certainly no desire to reacquaint herself with the one gentleman who had turned from her. She had told him outright that they need not continue their acquaintance, that there was no need to seek one another out when in polite society, and yet the more she thought of it, the more she realized that this was precisely what she wanted.

It was a very strange circumstance in which to find oneself. It was as though she had stepped back into the past and returned to that time when she and Lord Havisham had found a deep friendship and a closeness that she had hoped would lead to something more, except that this time, it was she who was stepping away from what they had built together instead of Lord Havisham himself. Her mind was confused, her heart wanting to be free to feel all the emotions and fondness that were rising up within her all over again but still, Emily pushed them back.

“I am being quite ridiculous,” she murmured aloud, walking gracefully into Lord Henderson’s townhouse and being greeted by the waiting butler and footmen. After a few minutes of preparation, she was directed to the drawing room which, she saw, was a large, grand room with a good deal of beauty about it.

“Lady Smithton!”

Her host came over to greet her at once and Emily could not help but smile. She had been introduced to Lord Henderson by Lord Ralstock and had found Lord Henderson to be charming, polite and not at all inclined towards gossip. That, in her eyes, made him one of the most exceptional gentlemen of her acquaintance.

“Thank you for inviting me this evening, Lord Henderson.”

“Not at all, not at all!” Lord Henderson replied enthusiastically, as he smiled broadly at her. “I believe you will have a good many acquaintances here this evening, Lady Smithton. Although some may be more eager to know you than you are to know them, unfortunately.” A small, frustrated smile crossed Lord Henderson’s face, telling Emily that the gentleman himself did not much care for the ton and their gossip.

“I quite understand,” Emily replied, kindly. “But you need not worry for my sake, Lord Henderson. I have experienced a good deal since I first returned to London and believe that I can deal with such comments, whispers and looks as regards my presence here.”

Lord Henderson heaved a long sigh but then smiled at her. “The rumor mill is constantly at work, is it not?” he stated, spreading his arm wide. “Now, to whom might I escort you?”

Emily felt the sudden sensation of dozens of pairs of eyes turning to look at her and felt a knot forming in her stomach.

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