Page 16 of Wallflower Whispers
Considering, Hugh brought Miss Simmons’ expression to mind – and found himself immediately lost in the memory ofhow she had smiled up into his eyes during their waltz. There had been a gentleness there, a joy which had infused every part of her expression and it had altered her appearance so drastically that he had been quite taken with her. Had there not been any difficulties between them and society, had there not been the rumors and the whispers, then Hugh might have decided to consider her and called to take tea – but at present, the only thing he wanted to think about was making sure that society did not believe any of the rumors which surrounded him.
And perhaps I also wish to think about the question of who is so determined to ruin my reputation that they would spread such lies.
“You were beginning to consider matrimony, were you not?”
Lord Kelling’s question had Hugh’s eyebrows lifting.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Last Season,” his friend said, with a grin. “Did you not begin to think on matrimony? That you would find the right young lady and court her and the like?”
Hugh waved a hand.
“I considered that last Season, only for that rumor to put an end to such thoughts! I cannot permit myself to think on that again, not until I am certain that thetonthinks of me in the way they ought.”
Lord Kelling considered this for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. Though if Miss Simmons is –”
“Miss Simmons needs to regain her standing in much the same way as I do,” Hugh interrupted, quickly, finding that he did not want his friends to make such a suggestion, even though he had noticed a little interest in his own heart when he had been dancing with her. “Come now, that is not the concern at present! Surely you can both see that?”
“Are you going to invite Miss Simmons and her parents to the ball?” Lord Elmsford asked, pointedly. “Is she going to have one of your invitations?”
“Of course she shall.” Hugh did not let his friends’ smiles, or the looks they sent to each other, embarrass him in the least. “But I intend to invite all of them – all of the wallflowers, that is – as well as many others. I will not exclude them.”
“Then I applaud you in that,” Lord Elmsford replied, as Hugh rose to his feet and made his way across to his desk. “If we can be of help to you then please do ask.”
“You can be of help to me,” Hugh replied, immediately, throwing a grin across to his friend. “You can aid me by stating who I ought to invite. That will be of the biggest assistance.”
Thankfully, Lord Kelling and Lord Elmsford both seemed eager to help and, within the hour, Hugh not only had a guest list, but also suggestions of all that he might want to do at the ball, all that might prove to the guests that he had more than enough coin to do whatever he pleased. Surely that would be proof enough?
“Good afternoon,Lady Grant. Good afternoon, Miss Simmons.” Hugh smiled as warmly as he could and inclined his head. “How good to see you again, Miss Simmons. I do hope that you are quite well?”
They paused in their walk down the London street, and Miss Simmons smiled, but it did not send a single flicker of light into her eyes. Her face was rather pale, and her shoulders a little hunched. Evidently, theton’s treatment of her was still causing a great deal of difficulty for her. Frustration ran through Hugh’s thoughts, and he frowned hard.
“We are all well, I thank you.”
Lady Grant offered him a small smile, but her glance towards her daughter said more than she had spoken aloud. There was something that had upset Miss Simmons, but her mother, and the lady herself, were both unwilling to disclose it.
His stomach dropped.Is this because of me?
“I should like to inform you that I plan to throw a magnificent ball,” he said, wondering if this would bring a smile to Miss Simmons’ face. “I will make certain to invite all of you– and your friends also, Miss Simmons.”
Her blue eyes turned to his and a wave of heat ran from the top of his head all the way down to his toes as he took her in. She was pretty, as Lord Elmsford had said, but, as Hugh studied her, he silently considered that he would describe her in stronger terms, rather than as merely pretty. Her dark curls danced lightly about her forehead, her alabaster skin, with the gentle pink of her lips and blue eyes were the very essence of beauty. He only wished that she would smile.
“You are very kind to be so considerate, Lord Blackmore,” she said, though she still did not smile. “I am not certain, however, that it would be wise for me to attend. I may bring more disruption with me, and you do not require that, I am sure.”
Hugh took a step closer, instinctive in his desire to reassure her.
“Not at all, Miss Simmons. I would very much like you to be present. Indeed, it is one of my strongest desires. You asked me if I would be of aid to you if I would help you in regaining your standing within society, and I genuinely wish to do so. I hope that I have imparted that to you already.”
“You have, and I am truly appreciative of such a desire,” came the reply, as Lady Grant tactfully stepped away, going to speak to another acquaintance who, much to Hugh’s relief,seemed quite contented to speak with her. “But I fear that… well, in truth, Lord Blackmore, it seems that society is determined to attach rumors to both of us and, as it has been pointed out to me, if I had not stood up with you to dance, then the rumor about our potential betrothal due to your lack of funds might never have begun.”
Hugh frowned.
“That is not something which ought to have been said to you, Miss Simmons. This rumor is about me and my supposed lack of funds. Why you have been attached to that is quite beyond me – and I believe that it would have come about whether or not we stepped out to dance together. It seems to me that someone is willing to do whatever they can to injure me, in ways that I had not expected, and, in doing so, they have pulled your name into it also. I can only apologize for that, and reassure you that I am doing my utmost to prove that this story about my being in debt is utterly untrue.”
Her eyes searched his, her lips twisting as she considered what he had said. A long, heavy breath came from her as she dropped her head, shaking it gently as though she was uncertain as to how she ought to respond.
