Page 59 of The Best of Friends
They were approaching Hyde Park and were required to resume the expected distance.
Before they were far enough into the park for an interruption, Toss turned to Mater. “How did I do?”
She tucked her book away. “If I were to rank how well you managed to express yourself on a scale of ‘a Jonquil in love’ to ‘Eros, Greek God of Love,’ I would place you somewhere near ‘Mark Antony as an Awkward Adolescent.’”
Their laughter as the landau began its circuit of Hyde Park was likely a bit more uproarious than was generally heard.
“Most people are convinced the famously funny Jonquil brothers inherited their flair for entertaining word play from their father,” Toss said. “I no longer believe that is entirely true.”
Mater laughed once more.
Daria leaned a bit against her shoulder, much the way a daughter would with her mother, and she smiled softly at Toss. He’d taken a risk and told her what was in his heart.
Somehow he’d find a way to reclaim enough of his future to be able to build a life with her.
Chapter Twenty-three
Daria had spent two dayson a dizzying emotional pendulum. Her ride in Hyde Park with Toss had been glorious. He’d told her he loved her and had been clearly delighted to learn that his affections were reciprocated.
And she hadn’t seen him since.
With only two days remaining until the musicale, the event on which so much of her future hopes rested, having so many of her thoughts worrying over Toss’s absence was wreaking havoc.
She desperately needed to regain some focus. If the evening was a failure, she would be sent so far away that two days without seeing Toss would be rendered absolutely miniscule. She would not see him or the Huntresses perhaps for years.
Mother stepped into the music room, where Daria had wandered as she’d been lost in her thoughts. For days now, Mother had worn a thundercloud expression. Being in company with her was even more distressing than usual.
“You look confused, Daria,” she said. “Has taking on this musicale proven too much for you?”
“I was only reviewing in my mind the preparations remaining to be seen to.” Daria didn’t think that truly counted as a lie. While Toss had been foremost in her thoughts, the musicale had certainly been prominent as well.
“I hope you’ve written down all the needful things.”
One of Father’s most frequent complaints was that Daria had a mind like a sieve.
“They are all written down,” Daria assured her. “And I have very recently reviewed the list.”
“I shudder to think how much remains to be done. We allowed you to continue in London specifically so you could do this, you realize. It has not exactly been convenient to do so, you must know.”
There was some irony in that declaration. Daria and Tobias’s initial strategy for ensuring she could remain in London had depended upon their parents not wishing to be inconvenienced. That didn’t seem a useful approach any longer.
“All will be seen to,” Daria said. “I assure you.”
“Perhaps we ought not to have brought you this Season.” Mother wrung her hands. Her gaze darted about the room. “Theodosia won’t be overly pleased with this delay.”
“Displeased that Daria hasn’t arrived yet or displeased that you have decided to send her to Anglesey at all?” Tobias asked as he stepped inside the room.
Daria ought to have been relieved to see him, but her anxiety was far too sharp, far too heightened.
“Do not make light of your great-aunt’s wishes, Tobias.” Mother’s tone was one of warning but also of nervousness.
This was making very little sense.
“What we ought not make light of is the effort Daria has made to plan this musicale,” Tobias said.
“I do not question her fervency.”
“Then what, pray tell,doyou question?” Tobias so seldom grew testy with their parents. The rarity of it worried Daria in that moment.
