Page 8 of The Viscount's Forgery
A little surprised at the compliment, Eugenia flushed and looked away. “I could not say, my lord.”
“And shy with it,” he answered, a lightness about his expression that gave Eugenia pause. “Then again, I suppose it is not quite the thing for young ladies to speak so eloquently about art. You should be keeping such opinions to yourself, yes? All that should be said is whether one prefers this artist or the other.”
This made Eugenia’s shoulders slump, the fire that had begun to burn within her when she had begun to speak about her passion burning away to nothingness. “That is true, of course. Forgive me.” She turned away from him. “I should take my leave.”
“But of course. Thank you, Lady…?”
Eugenia glanced back at him. It was not the proper thing to introduce oneself to another, but then again, what difference would it make? “Miss Eugenia Sherwood,” she said, as the gentleman bowed.
“And I, the Viscount Suffolk.” With a small smile on his face, he rose to his feet, looking back at her. “An interesting way to meet you, Miss Sherwood.”
No response came to her lips as she looked back at him, aware of the heat in her face as she turned to make her way back to the ballroom. It was, she had to admit, an unexpected encounter and a most unusual way to be introduced to a new acquaintance! Aware that she ought never to have let herself become distracted by the painting in the first place and that things could have been very different had she met a rogue instead of a true gentleman, Eugenia hurried back into the ballroom, determined not to do such a foolish thing again.
3
“Afine day for a walk, I think.”
“Indeed it is,” Lord Bothwell agreed, as he walked alongside Nicholas through the grounds of Hyde Park. “It will soon become very busy indeed, however, given that the fashionable hour will be upon us!”
“I do not mind that in the least,” Nicholas declared, making his friend grin. “That is precisely the reason I suggested a walk around this time!”
“Is that so?” Lord Bothwell lifted an eyebrow. “Because you wish to set me in amongst thetonso that I might see all the available young ladies and forget about Polly?”
Nicholas shook his head, his heart clamoring within him as it fought a twinge of guilt. “No, not in the least,” he declared firmly, even though that had certainly been part of his intention in suggesting this walk at this time of day. “I thought only to lift your spirits a littleandto set myself into society a little more also. After all, I am here to have an enjoyable Season and being in amongst thetonwill bring a good deal of that to me.” He chuckled as Lord Bothwell rolled his eyes. “Comenow, if this were last Season, you would be agreeing with me wholeheartedly!”
“That is because I did not know what it was to fall in love,” Lord Bothwell stated, making Nicholas’ smile crack apart. “Just as you do not.”
“I have no intention of falling in love,” Nicholas said, holding up one hand as his friend began to speak. “And pray, do not tell me that you had the very same intention before it happened to you, for I will not believe it.”
Lord Bothwell snorted. “You already appear to know precisely what it is I am going to say, so no, I shall not say a word.” His scowl faded just a little. “Though I am grateful to be here. To be back in amongst society is a good thing for my spirits. I have spent too many months at my estate, ruminating.”
Nicholas’ lips pinched. “Too much ruminating on anything is a bad thing, my friend, even if it be the most wonderful thing you can think of.”
“I suppose that is true.”
“And have you spoken to this Polly as yet?” Nicholas asked, aware that it was now a little over a sennight since he had first mentioned her at the ball. “I hope that you will have spoken to her, at least!”
Lord Bothwell’s silence was his answer. Nicholas closed his eyes and sighed.
“I had every intention of doing so,” Lord Bothwell said quickly, evidently hearing Nicholas’ sigh. “Yes, I know I have been foolish in not doing so as yet, but when I saw her… well, my heart did all manner of strange things and I have been trying to make sense of it since then!”
“Just as you have been trying to make sense of it for many a month,” Nicholas said bluntly, as his friend frowned. “I do not mean to be cruel, so do not think that this comes from anything other than concern, but I fear that you are injuring yourself bythis prolonged consideration! You must decide, my friend, and you must decide soon.”
“Which means that I must, at the very least, speak with her,” Lord Bothwell muttered, as Nicholas nodded. “Goodness, I must be a very frustrating friend indeed, given how often you have had to say the very same things to me.”
Nicholas chuckled. “Not too frustrating, I assure you. The truth is, my friend, you are a good deal altered from how you were last Season.” He put his hand on his friend’s shoulder, stopping their walk for a moment. “I want to see you happy, to see you returned to yourself. That is all.”
Lord Bothwell took in a deep breath and nodded. “I understand that. I shall be bold enough to speak with her this afternoon, then. I will. I swear it.”
“Good.” Nicholas slapped Lord Bothwell on the back and then gestured to the growing crowd. “Then shall we go and see if she is present as yet?”
With a slight hesitation, Lord Bothwell nodded and then made his way towards the group of gentlemen and ladies in the center of the park. Nicholas went with him, his heart quickening as he took in the many young ladies present. It was a delight to be introduced to so many new and lovely creatures, though it was only a pity that he could not dance here in the middle of Hyde Park! Nicholas was here for enjoyment and enjoyment only, though the same could not be said of Lord Bothwell!
“She is not present as yet,” Lord Bothwell murmured, looking over the crowd quickly. “I cannot see her.”
“Do not be too hasty,” Nicholas said, taking slower steps as they drew near, nodding as a friend, Lord Hewitt, caught his attention. “And if she is not, then there are plenty of acquaintances that we might speak with until she arrives. Lord Hewitt has just sent us a nod of greeting, and I can see LordGreenlaw present also. No doubt Lord Marchfield will be with him, along with his sister.”
“Who is now engaged, might I add.”
