Always the Best Friend by Emily Murdoch

Author:Emily Murdoch [Murdoch, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-06T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“AND OF COURSE, I thought his lordship would ask me, but it was not to be. He looked far more interested in Miss Roberts, and she is such a lovely woman—at least, I am sure she is, though I do not know her intimately. And so, I excused myself, for it was far better they were allowed to be together, and they did dance together that evening—although not before…”

Harry allowed Letitia’s voice to wash over her as they walked down Bond Street arm in arm. It was easy; Letitia did not need prompting, and Harry was left alone with her thoughts, as long as she nodded in the right places and looked sympathetic.

She had sent a note to Letitia yesterday to see whether she was engaged for this morning, and had taken the coach back to town rather than ride.

It had been hard to put her finger on exactly why she had retreated to Chalding. She had barricaded herself in that place for two whole weeks, unwilling to leave it until Fleetwood asked pointedly when she was returning to town.

Seeing Monty had been out of the question. She had been seeing too much of him to begin with, and the gossips had enough fodder from Mrs. Bryant’s scandalous piece in the newspaper.

But after that night…she could not face him again. Not yet.

Letitia had been only too delighted to see her, but Harry had forgotten how preoccupied Letitia had become with the number of gentlemen with whom she wanted to dance…and never did.

“—but he was already engaged for that dance,” Letitia said in a wistful voice. “Orrinshire was my second choice that evening, but I have heard he is most enamored with…”

The trickle of names washed over Harry, barely able to comprehend them. How could Letitia keep track of so many people and their intimate relationships with other members of society?

There was only one gentleman for her, Monty.

It had been agony, distancing herself for fifteen painful days. Each day without him was a missed opportunity. Each day of sunshine was cold, every day of rain empty.

She had no choice, of course. After that wild and passionate encounter, when they had known each other, she had to protect herself.

Protect him. He needed to marry, free from any previous lover.

She was already in love with Monty. Did she need to be reminded every day he would soon be engaged to another?

“And the ball ended,” said Letitia sadly, “without me taking a step in the dancing whatsoever. I have been practicing, of course, with the hope, I could use my skills at the ball, but it was not to be.”

She fell silent as they stepped onto Hill Street, and Harry realized it was her turn to say something.

“There is Almack’s this Wednesday,” she said quickly with a smile, squeezing Letitia’s arm. “Who knows who will be there?”

This was entirely the wrong thing to say.

“Oh, a great number of people!” Letitia said with a broad smile, her eyes lighting up. “Why, I spoke with Lady Romeril yesterday, and she has heard Viscount Stulsemere will be there.

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