Page 48 of The Truth about the Marquess
Lord Dunstable did not hesitate, speaking quite plainly and making Oliver’s heart leap in surprise.
“She does not… that is to say, she will not be considering any gentleman in such a light,” Oliver answered, ignoring the way that his heart ached as he spoke. “I did not mean to overhear, but overhear I did, and she made it quite plain that she had no intention of ever marrying again.”
Lord Dunstable’s eyebrow lifted.
“Then might I ask, if shewaswilling to consider you in that light, would you then find yourself more amenable to the idea?”
Oliver swallowed, hard, aware of just how much that would mean to him, should he permit himself to think of it. Lady Harsham had often come to his heart and mind, particularly of late, and he had to admit to himself that their strong connection was one that he valued.
“I – I cannot say.”
“Yes, you can. You simply do not wish to.”
“Well, what is it that you want me to admit?” Oliver asked, suddenly agitated, throwing up his hands. “Should you like me to say that yes, I find Lady Harsham more delightful than any young lady of my acquaintance? That our connection is so strong, I cannot think of it weakening without great pain?” He began to walk about the room, gesticulating as he went, heat burning through him. “Would you like me to confess that, had I any hope of a return of my feelings, I would declare myself interested in furthering our connection? There is no hope, my friend, and thus, I have no thought of such things.”
Lord Dunstable blinked furiously, and Oliver ran one hand down over his face, feeling a little embarrassed. He had said more than he intended, revealed more than he had realized was within his heart – and Lord Dunstable seemed to recognize that.
“You have an affection for her then, yes?” Lord Dunstable spoke quietly but his words were like thunderclaps, forcing Oliver to consider his own heart with a frankness he had not done before. “I have seen your connection to Lady Harsham grow these last few weeks and, truth be told, I did wonder if your interest in her might overshadow your pursuit of the other two ladies in question. I hoped that you would realize that your interest in Lady Harsham was more than just a friendship, before you even thought of asking one of the others to court – and indeed, I would have spoken to you about all of this, should you have told me of your intention to do so.”
“I – it does not matter how I feel.” Oliver’s chest was tight and his voice a little strained. “She has already made it clear that there can be no connection between us, aside from friendship.”
“But she did not say that directly to you.”
Oliver shook his head.
“But she does not need to. I am glad that I know of it for then it meant that I would not make myself foolish in seeking out something which she could not, or did not want to offer.”
“Yet that also means you have not been honest with yourself and your own heart,” Lord Dunstable said, quietly. “And though you might have been a fool in speaking honestly, you might also have found something rather surprising in your connection to the lady. Mayhap, despite what you overheard her say, she might have her own feelings which she is battling with.”
Closing his eyes, Oliver let out a slow breath.
“I cannot be sure of that.”
“That is why you must take a risk. Though I will say, what I have seen of her when she is with you tells me that there might be something more there. Something that you, as yet, have not seen.”
Oliver blinked, then frowned, wanting to refute his friend’s words but, at the same time, surprised at just how much his heart leaped with the sudden hope that was offered him.
“Will you think about what I have said, at least?” Lord Dunstable asked as Oliver rubbed one hand over his eyes. “I should like to see you happy, and I am sure that Lady Harsham would be the one to make you so – just as you might make her happy in return.”
Nodding, Oliver cleared his throat rather gruffly, feeling a trifle uncomfortable at having spoken so honestly but also a little confused with all that he had revealed – even to himself.
“I will think about it, yes.”
“Good.” Lord Dunstable winked. “And mayhap there will be two weddings very soon, instead of just the one.”
Chapter Twenty
Imust do this.
Jane was trembling all over as the butler directed her to Lord Edenbridge’s drawing room. She had considered everything that Lady Guilford had said, had paced up and down the room, spent a fitful night tossing and turning, cried many tears and, in the end, found the resolve to do what she knew she must.
Though now that she was being shown into the drawing room, now that he was standing, rising to greet her with a warm smile on his handsome face, she felt her courage fail her.
“Jane.” Lord Edenbridge reached out, took her hand, and much to Jane’s surprise, brought it to his lips as he bowed over it. “How delighted I am to see you.”
“You appear to be in good spirits,” Jane answered, forcing a smile. “I am glad to see that. I know that you have been troubled with all that has just been revealed, and you have had much to consider.”
“I have, but I have discovered a new happiness,” he answered, gesturing for her to sit down, though he took a seat angled just beside her so that he might look into her eyes – a closeness which Jane found a little disconcerting, given all thatshe had to say. “I was going to come and call on you myself, in fact, though it seems that you have saved me the trouble!”
