The Earl's Unspoken Love: A Regency Romance (Only for Love Book 3) by Rose Pearson

Author:Rose Pearson [Pearson, Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Landon Hill Media
Published: 2023-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“And how are things progressing with Lord Penforth?”

Almeria hesitated.

“It is very difficult to say,” she said, after a moment. “I confess that I find him a rather difficult gentleman at times, but on other occasions, he is very charming indeed.”

It had been three weeks now, since Lord Penforth had confessed to her the truth about the flowers and, while he had not yet asked to court her, Almeria was certain that such a thing would soon occur. When that was put to her, however, she was not sure what she would say and, to her mind, it seemed as though he was somewhat aware of her reluctance. While Lord Penforth had mentioned the possibility of speaking to her father, he had not yet done so.

“If I may be so bold, you do not appear to be particularly enamored of the gentleman, I must say.”

Almeria looked at Miss Madeley.

“That is because I am not,” she informed her friend, who immediately nodded as though she understood entirely. “And besides that, there is something – nay, someone, who is a good deal more on my mind. I am certain that it is only his absence which has me so often considering him, but all the same, he is there nonetheless.”

She was relieved that she could be honest with Miss Madeley, for her friend nodded and smiled softly, no judgment in her expression or her voice.

“You are speaking of Lord Coppinger, are you not?”

“I am.” Almeria nodded, having no desire to hide such a thing. Lord Coppinger had been markedly absent from her company these last three weeks, and she had found that more distressing than she had ever imagined she might. “I have spoken to him of course, but he is not as friendly as he once was. It is as though the closeness we shared has somehow lessened, and I am very troubled by that.”

“But is not such a thing quite natural?” Miss Madeley frowned, glancing up at Almeria as they walked in the sunshine through the park. “After all, he is seeking a bride and you are seeking a husband. You shall not have the same closeness as you once did. That should be expected, if not a little encouraged, perhaps.”

Almeria nodded, but her friend’s words did not settle her mind. Instead, she found herself all the more distressed. It was as if having this truth offered to her was a sword that pierced her heart.

“But that is not what I want.”

The words came out before she was ready to have them spoken but, to her relief, Miss Madeley only smiled.

“Then what is it that you want?”

Almeria did not even have to consider her answer.

“I want us to be as close as we once were. I want us to be dear friends, able to share with each other whatever we say, think, and feel at the time. I do not like the fact that he does not spend as much time in my company as he once did. I know

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