Page 5 of The Viscount's Forgery
“But you think I am being a little unfair to her.”
“Yes, I do. It is now the Season and you must either declare yourself or let her free to pursue another.” Nicholas spread outhis hands. “It is not the same for ladies of thetonas it is for gentlemen. They do not have as many Seasons as they wish to find a husband.”
Lord Bothwell’s face fell. “That is true. I had not thought of that.”
“I think you must speak with her, if you have not already,” Nicholas said, gently. “She clearly cares for you, Bothwell.”
This made his friend’s gaze shoot back towards him. “Do you think so?”
“If she is waiting for you, then yes.”
“You do not think that it is only my title and my fortune that draw her?”
Nicholas opened his mouth, then closed it again, his brow furrowing.
“You, after all, are seeking to do what you can to make certain that no lady pursues you simply because of your wealth,” Lord Bothwell continued. “Could it not be that Polly desires my company solely because of my title?”
Taking in a breath, Nicholas shook his head. “No. I think if that were how she felt, she would have already ended the stalemate between you both and begun to pursue another, perhaps a Duke instead of a Marquess.” The edge of his mouth slid upwards as his friend’s lips quirked. “I cannot tell you for certain, my friend. Only she can do that.”
“I understand.” Lord Bothwell finished his brandy and then nodded. “You are quite right. I should speak with her and explain all. It does not mean that I will come to a conclusion but I shall, mayhap, suggest that she consider ending our connection if that is what will be best for her. I will not have her tied to me, waiting.”
“And might you also consider giving yourself a time by which you must make the decision?” Nicholas suggested. “A month, mayhap? Two?”
Lord Bothwell’s expression shuttered as if the suggestion had pained him in some way. He did not respond for a minute or so, making Nicholas fear that he had upset his friend, only for Lord Bothwell to drop his head and groan.
“Yes, I should, I know I should.” With another exclamation of frustration, he shook his head. “I am being much too unfair to her. Two months, then. I must decide by then.” Putting out one hand, he set it on Nicholas’ shoulder. “Thank you, my friend. You have been most helpful.”
“I am glad, though I do not know precisely what I said or did that was in any way helpful,” Nicholas answered, “aside from handing you a brandy!” This made Lord Bothwell chuckle, which brought Nicholas some relief. His friend, then, was not as downhearted as he had been when Nicholas had first come upon him, and that was a good thing.
“And you, my friend?” Lord Bothwell asked, as Nicholas too finished his brandy. “Are you to pursue matrimony this Season?”
Spluttering slightly, Nicholas shook his head as his friend’s smile returned. “No, not at all! I have no intention of trying to find a bride.”
“But if you should find yourself enamored with a young lady, as I did, then might you find yourself at the altar regardless?”
Thinking about the idea, Nicholas recoiled from it. “No, not as yet. I do not think that Icouldfind myself enamored, as you say, for it has not ever happened to me as yet! Yes, there have been many young ladies I have been drawn to, but none have ever captured me in the way that you have described.”
Lord Bothwell grimaced, his smile gone now. “It is not as pleasant as it seems, evidently.”
“Come now, let us not slide back down into despair,” Nicholas said firmly. “I have every intention of dancing this evening, and if you will not, then might I suggest a card game? I did hear the card room was being set up just as I arrived, sothere will be plenty of merriment to be had regardless of what you choose to do.”
“I certainly shall not dance,” came the firm reply. “But yes, I may well go to play cards. It will put her out of my mind, I am sure, though… though I have been standing here in the hope of setting my eyes upon her again.” He winced. “I had no intention of speaking with her or dancing with her, of course. It was only just to see her again.”
Nicholas smiled gently. “I understand. I will come to find you later this evening, then.”
“Most likely at the card table,” the Marquess answered, with a rueful smile. “Thank you, my friend.”
“Of course.” With a nod, Nicholas turned and began to walk back through the crowd. He had, as he had said to his friend, every intention of dancing this evening which meant that he could not spend his entire evening standing with the Marquess and consoling him – though what hehadlearned was very surprising indeed! He had known that Lord Bothwell had been interested in a young lady, but he had not heard about this subsequent engagement. That was for the best, however, given that thetonwould not know of it either.
I should not like to be so,Nicholas thought to himself as he approached a group of acquaintances, noticing the young ladies who stood near them. Casting his eye over them, he let himself smile, but relief continued to fill his heart. He was not about to behave as the Marquess had done, was not about to let himself fall in love with a young lady just because she happened to catch his attention! He was much too aware for that, he was quite sure. With a smile on his face, he came near to his acquaintances and, greeting them, set all thought of love and matrimony out of his mind. He was here to enjoy himself, and that was precisely what he intended to do.
2
Eugenia grasped Polly’s hand. “Are you quite well?”
Polly wrenched her hand out of Eugenia’s. “Do not speak to me, Eugenia, I beg you.”
This made Eugenia’s heart slam hard into her chest, but she did as her sister bade her and stepped back, staying silent instead of speaking with her. They had been in London for some weeks, but this was the first time that Eugenia and Polly knew for certain that the Marquess was present also. He had evidently written to Polly, though Eugenia had not seen the letter, to state that he too had come to London for the Season and hoped to speak with her very soon. That, however, had brought no comfort to Polly, who had been waiting nearly six months for the Marquess to make his decision as to whether or not they would marry.
