Page 11 of A Spinster to Reform the Duke
“This is the first time my head has been turned and I see no point in being careful about it. My heart has the capacity for one woman only, of that I am certain,” Alex continued on, speaking wistfully as he sat back in his seat.
“You always were a romantic at heart, Alex, reading romance novels whilst I read the gothic tales. It will get you into trouble one of these days.”
“Be a cynic if you like, but I will not be,” Alex said, dismissing him quickly. Timothy flinched at the words, recalling how he had said Lady Rebecca was something of a cynic. Was he guilty of the same crime?
“All I am saying is that you barely know Lady Eliza,” Timothy tried to issue caution as he leaned forward in the carriage. “You are my good friend, and I do not wish you to make a hasty marriage based on a fast liking. You have met her twice, at least make sure you know the lady more before you start professing love for her.”
“I do not love her. That would be a foolish thing to say indeed after such a short meeting, but I like her.” Even as Alex said the words, his face spread into a wide smile indeed.
“It’s a wonder your cheeks can contain that smile,” Timothy said with a laugh. “You need a wider face to accommodate it.”
“All I am saying is that I feel no shame in liking Lady Eliza so quickly, and I see no reason to be cautious either. I intend to move forward with the same enthusiasm I have now.”
“You two both have such enthusiasm it will be a wonder if there is any left in any room,” Timothy teased, rather relieved when his friend laughed warmly.
“I hope you realize I will need your help, my friend.”
“Me? What can I do?” Timothy asked, gesturing to his own chest.
“You are hardly a stranger to charming a woman, are you?”
“Perhaps my abilities are fading,” Timothy said wryly, remembering the way that Lady Rebecca had refused to be charmed by his presence. “I hardly have the same power over every lady.”
“Perhaps not, but you could give me advice.”
Timothy almost laughed at his friend’s puppy-like excitement as he too sat forward on the carriage bench.
“Please, Timothy. I like Lady Eliza; I think it possible this could be the very thing I have always dreamed of. Any help you can give me I would be grateful for.” Alex was looking at him with such hope that Timothy found himself squirming in his seat.
“You forget something, Alex. I know how to charm a lady for an evening, I do not know how to charm a lady to make her promise to spend the rest of her life with me.” He shook his head. “I rather think they are two entirely different things.”
“You can make a woman smile, is that not enough?”
“I rather suspect you are able to make Lady Eliza smile all of your own accord.” Yet as Timothy spoke, he could see the disappointment in his friend’s face. Alex clearly wanted help, and courtship was something he was very unfamiliar with indeed. Timothy took his friend’s shoulder; in that old comforting way he always did and offered a smile. “Alex, if you wish for my help, then I promise to help in any way I can.”
“You will?” Alex said, his smile growing wider.
“Of course. I will come and chaperone whenever you need me, and happily distract the rather overly-worried sister too for you.”
“Does she need distracting? Wait…” Alex sat straighter in his seat. “Does she not like me?”
“She has nothing against you. She fears any gentleman approaching her sister. At least, that is the impression I get.”
“Whatever for?”
“Good Lord, Alex, do you not read the scandal sheets?” Timothy could have chuckled for a long time at the innocent look on his friend’s face. He was someone who did not engage with gossip, completely unbothered by it. “Lady Rebecca was betrothed to Lord Armstrong for a while last year.”
“Lord Armstrong? Why do I know that name?” Alex asked, scrunching his nose in thought.
“Because his name was whispered by everyone’s lips after the night where he was caught by Lady Rebecca in a rather compromising position with another young lady at a ball. This other young lady had twice the dowry Lady Rebecca had, and the betrothal was quickly called off. Lord Armstrong married this other lady before the month was out. It was clear he only ever pursued Lady Rebecca for her dowry.” Timothy fell quiet, feeling strangely uncomfortable now he had recanted the tale.
He folded his arms and sat back in the carriage, thinking on the lady he had just been talking to as the carriage jolted along the cobbled road. It was rather odd to him how someone could treat Lady Rebecca in such a way. It suggested the lack of a heart or an ounce of care in them at all.
“Then I can understand why she worries for her sister,” Alex said kindly, with a genuinely concerned look upon his face. “I must make it clear to them all how serious I am. That at this moment, there is nothing but Lady Eliza on my mind.”
“You are rather eager,” Timothy laughed. “Calm down a little, my friend. You may scare Lady Eliza away.”
“Scare her? I do not wish to do that. I wish to ask her to court me.”
