Jeremy nodded, feeling the same heaviness within his own heart. “I fear that I cannot remove myself from the past entirely as yet.” He got up and went in search of the brandy, feeling the need to pour them both another measure. “Mayhap in trying to discover who was responsible for Rebecca’s situation, I might be able to free myself of it entirely.”
Lord Northgate nodded, accepting another brandy. “Indeed,” he agreed, quietly. “And mayhap you will have the opportunity to tell Miss Wells the truth about the entire matter, in the hope that her heart may yet return to you.” He arched one white, bushy eyebrow in Jeremy’s direction. “I would see you happy, Avondale.”
Jeremy shook his head as he sat back down. “I fear happiness is long gone from me, Northgate,” he stated, unequivocally. “And I have accepted as much. Whatever occurs over the next few weeks, whether or not I am able to find the gentleman who treated Rebecca so callously, I have very little hope of ever recovering what was once between myself and Miss Wells.” The truth was like burning coals being spewed from his mouth, the fire and heat and pain of it seeming to burn all though him. “That is gone entirely, I believe,” he finished, sitting back in his chair as though that might relieve some of his agony. “And I will not allow myself to hope any longer.”
Chapter Three
“Are you actually going to be looking at any of the books or are you simply hoping to catch the eye of any gentlemen who might see you as we walk there?”
Eliza was cross, hating the way that Titania was meandering along the pavement as they made their way towards the bookshop. It was, of course, quite the thing to be seen by others during the social Season, but Eliza found herself entirely underwhelmed by the idea. She simply wanted to get to the bookshop, where she might be able to peruse the books at her leisure, in the safety and quiet of the shop.
“I like being seen,” Titania complained, her red curls bouncing by her temples. She had not, it seemed, been able to capture all of her curls and pin them back underneath her bonnet unless, of course, she had allowed some of them to escape on purpose.
Eliza sighed heavily, restraining herself from rolling her eyes as evidence of her displeasure. Her sister knew all too well that she did not like to be out within society, did not like to garner everyone’s attention, but Titania was not one to care what others thought.
She was simply doing as she pleased, as she almost always did.
“You are not angry with me, Eliza,” Titania said, cheerfully. “So I will not take your frustrations to heart.”
“Angry?” Eliza repeated, crossly. “I am growing tired of walking at such a slow pace that I fear we shall never reach the bookshop before we must return home again!”
Titania caught her eye, a knowing smile on her face. “I hardly think so, Eliza,” she replied. “You are upset because Lord Avondale has returned and you have not wanted to see him.”
Closing her eyes, Eliza stopped dead, drew in a breath an
d opened her eyes to glare at her younger sister. “I do not wish you to even mention the name of Lord Avondale to me, Titania,” she said, forcefully. “DO you understand me?”
Titania’s only response was to laugh and wave a hand. “Nonsense, Eliza. I shall talk of whatever and whomever I wish.”
Groaning inwardly and wishing that she could return to the house and leave her sister behind, Eliza forced herself to keep in step with Titania, knowing that she could not allow such a situation, no matter how much she wished it. “I do not want to speak of Lord Avondale, Titania. Please.”
“Why ever not?” Titania exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. “I think you are being more than foolish, Eliza. You should allow him to speak to you.”
Silently wondering how her youngest sister knew precisely what had occurred between herself and Lord Avondale, Eliza eyed her sharply. “It is not your business, Titania.”
Titania laughed again, the tinkling sound grating on Eliza’s nerves. “But I only want your best, Eliza,” she promised. “And is that not what you wish for me also? We are sisters, are we not? Therefore, it is quite understandable that I speak of Lord Avondale, so that I can do my best to help guide you through such a difficult matter.”
Gritting her teeth, Eliza forced herself to take in three long, steadying breaths, settling her flaring temper. “You are my youngest sister, Titania,” she said eventually. “Whilst your offer of guidance is appreciated, I shall not be accepting it.” She waited until Titania had finished nodding and smiling at a few gathered gentlemen who were all speaking hastily outside some shop or other, before she continued. “As for Lord Avondale, I have made up my mind not to speak to him about any such matter. I have made my decision. I have accepted Lord Montrose.”
Titania sighed heavily, shaking her head as her emerald eyes flickered from one passer-by to the other, in the hope that she might be acquainted with them. Eliza, grateful that there was no immediate response, simply began to quicken her pace and, much to her relief, Titania came with her.
Her mind unwillingly went back to Lord Avondale. It had been a sennight since he had first called upon her and since then, she had not so much as glanced him in a crowd. Perhaps, she had considered, he had returned home, in which case, she was glad he would not be in London. It did not mean, of course, that her thoughts did not often turn towards him, that she did not often find herself wondering what it was he had wanted to tell her, but Eliza had remained fiercely determined to stay detached. Her mother, thankfully, had not said anything more about the matter although she had not written to rescind her invitation to Lord Avondale, which was a cause of frustration to Eliza.
“Oh, look! Tis Lord Franks!” Titania exclaimed, looping her arm through Eliza’s, her steps becoming a good deal quicker. “And Lord Hollard, and Miss Stapleton!”
Eliza, who had only ever been introduced to Lord Franks, wanted to discourage her sister from greeting these three acquaintances and to insist that they continue onto the bookshop – which, she now feared, they might never reach – but Titania was quite determined. She half dragged Eliza towards the small group, a wide smile on her face as she caught Lord Hollard who did, Eliza had to admit, appear quite pleased to see Titania. In fact, his face lit up at the sight of her, making Eliza wonder why she had never been introduced to this particular gentlemen who was so enamored with Titania.
Very quickly, introductions were made and Eliza curtsied and inclined her head just as she was expected. Miss Stapleton, she learned, was the sister of Lord Hollard which explained how Titania had become introduced to Lord Hollard in the first place. She allowed herself to engage in polite conversation for some time, noting that Titania continued to dominate the conversation almost entirely, although Lord Hollard did not appear to be frustrated by this in any way.
“And you are acquainted with Lord Montrose, are you not, Miss Wells?”
A little startled by the abrupt change in conversation, Eliza nodded towards Miss Stapleton. “Yes, I am.”
“You see,” Miss Stapleton murmured, jabbing her brother in the ribs with her elbow. “I told you that I saw him out walking with a lady.”
Lord Hollard chuckled, shaking his head in evident surprise. “I did not think it possible that Lord Montrose would eventually come to seek out refined company, Miss Wells,” he explained, as Miss Stapleton giggled beside him. “But it seems that the impossible has occurred!”
Eliza frowned, not entirely certain what they meant and finding herself growing rather anxious over such a remark.