Page 29 of The Best of Friends
“He was a lieutenant in the army during the war with Napoleon. I don’t mean to imply that being in the army automatically makes him a good person.” His eyes darted from one sister to the other, his posture a bit rigid. “He is, though. A good person.”
Why was it Tobias always grew noticeably uncomfortable around others? He did tend to grow a little less stiff during games and diversions. She was counting on it that night. She wanted her friends to come to know Tobias, to see the wonderful person he was. Perhaps he might even become particularly good friends with Toss.
She’d let herself imagine that over the last few hours and had taken comfort in the possibility. Toss wouldn’t become a stranger to her. She would see him, hear of him. She wouldn’t have to miss him for the rest of her life.
She did fear she was destined to miss himthat evening.All the guests arrived in quick succession, except for Toss. Why hadn’t he come?
Daria did her best to hide her continual glances toward the drawing room windows, searching for a glimpse of him. She didn’t want everyone else to think she was displeased to have them there or that their attendance didn’t matter to her. She was happy they were there, but her disappointment at Toss’s absence was proving impossible to ignore.
She mingled among her guests, making certain everyone was comfortable and happy, all while her heart broke a little. Her path took her past Mr. Greenberry. He offered her a smile quite like the one she had received from him during the poetry evening. And once again, it made her blush. She imagined he had that effect on a lot of people, being quite handsome and friendly.
“I’m so pleased you were able to join us,” she said. “Tobias had hoped you would be able to.”
“I haven’t spent any Seasons in London since leaving the army, so I haven’t many friends outside of those I had whilst at war.”
Then perhaps her soiree was proving beneficial for him. He could gain friends and find his footing in Society. “Mingling with people in drawing rooms and ballrooms must be different from doing so on battlefields.”
“Yes, decidedly so.”
Once again, she’d managed to make an observation so obvious that a person of sense would have realized how unnecessary it was to speak aloud. She’d simply meant to acknowledge that he’d likely needed to do so much adjusting that having been slow to make friends wasn’t a poor reflection on him. Why was it she could never say things the way she felt?
“I hadn’t intended to upset you.” Mr. Greenberry watched her with concern. “But I can see that I have.”
She managed to give that impression more often than she wished. She would twist herself into mental knots thinking through some misstep or another only to realize the person she had been conversing with thought they had caused her distress.
“You haven’t upset me,” she said. “I didn’t relay my initial thoughts very well, and I was trying to decide how to better explain that I thought it entirely understandable that you were still adjusting to life away from the army. It is quite different from life amongst theton.I am assuming, of course. I have never been in the army. Which you most certainly would realize.” She was making a mull of things again.
But Mr. Greenberry didn’t seem to be laughing at her.
Tobias waved Mr. Greenberry over to join the conversation he was having with Scott. Just as Mr. Greenberry stepped away, Gillian took his place.
“How are you holding up?” Gillian asked, her voice pitched low. “You’ve seemed a little... disappointed, I suppose.”
Daria hadn’t managed to hide that. “I’m surprised Toss didn’t come. I was so certain he would. I think he would enjoy being part of the gathering. And I could have told him that I’ve earned more points.”
“The Huntresses will make absolutely certain he knows of your points,” Gillian said.
It was more than that though. She was proud of herself for what she’d accomplished, and she’d wanted to share that with him, knowing he would appreciate it. And she’d wanted to see him again. The highlights of her London Season had always been the Huntresses. How was it her happiness in this, her final one, was intertwined so entirely with Thomas Comstock? “I’m enjoying the evening so far,” Daria insisted, feeling a smile pull at her mouth. “These kinds of gatherings are always my favorite. To actually execute one is proving rather fun.”
Gillian smiled broadly. “Don’t let the gentlemen overhear you say that, else, when we inevitably prove victorious in your game with Toss, they will attempt to convince you to plan the house party for them.”
“Are you certain you and Scott have to leave London in only three days’ time? It won’t be the same without you here.” And Daria would be lonely without her.
“We can only live off the charity of Mrs. Brownlow for so long. We need to return home to continue our work in putting it to rights. Once we manage that, we’ll be able to stay in London as long as we’d like.”
“But I won’t be here then.”
Gillian’s expression shifted to one of determination. “We will find a means of making sure you are,” she said. “Mark my words. We’ll find a way.”
Daria hadn’t yet told the Huntresses of her parents’ plan to send her to Anglesey. She needed to, as it was proving such a weight on her mind, but she didn’t want the evening to be ruined by such heavy thoughts. And she wanted to believe there was a solution, but there was only so much an unmarried lady could accomplish when her father determined a different future for her. She had choices, yes, as Rose had acknowledged, but she didn’t have all the choices she wished she did.
“After I’ve left for Nottinghamshire,” Gillian said, “I will fully expect you to write to me to tell me what has become of Mr. Greenberry’s very obvious interest in you.”
“His what?” She barely kept her question quiet.
“I’m not saying he’s pining away. But he clearly finds you intriguing.”
Daria shook her head. “Gentlemen like him are hardly going to be interested in someone like me.”
