He was happy to let Miss Elwood gush about how much she enjoyed the outing. He paid just enough attention to nod and murmur noncommittal words as she talked, but he didn’t note anything in particular that she said. In fact, the only thing on his mind was the temptation to ask her if she noticed how many people were more interested in looking at them than at the art on display. He couldn’t believe that she could behave as though she hadn’t noticed, since he had seen her looking uncomfortably at her shoes on more than one occasion.
However, before he could issue the biting question, he realized he was about to do something terrible. It was wholly unfair to lash out at Miss Elwood because of the horrible attitudes of the other ton members present. No, he wouldn’t do something so nasty as to directly take out his frustration on her. All he had to do was be patient, especially with the way people stared at her, as well as him, at the museum. Inevitably, she and her father would come to their senses.
Miss Elwood chatted happily the rest of the way to her home. Albert felt bad for clamming up on her yet again, but he was so disgusted with the way people had glowered at them, even as they were on their way out of the museum. He had had a pleasant conversation with her on the way to the museum, and another about Lord Elgin and his odd choice in art selection.
But as ever, the ton had taken something he had been enjoying and ruined it. And even if Miss Elwood hadn’t noticed it yet, she would notice when the rumors start that they were staring at her in the same way, as well. He prayed she would come to her senses before it was too late to save her reputation.
When they reached her home, he walked her politely to the door. She was still smiling, which made his heart ache. She was so happy, and his sour mood would surely affect that. But no worse than the staring jackals at the museum had. At least, he certainly hoped not.
“Thank you for a lovely afternoon,” she said, smiling sweetly.
Albert bowed, giving her his best smile, which was now tense and angry with the ton for being so horrible.
“My pleasure, Miss Elwood,” he said. “Farewell.”
He waved to her, then turned and went back to his carriage. He was only too happy to go from there to the Smith residence. He could only imagine the lecture his father would have been brewing for him all day, while he was out. And his mother would want to hear all about his outing, hoping that he had suddenly found the ability to love Miss Elwood. He was prepared for neither. And right then, he didn’t know which would be worse.
When he reached Neil’s townhouse, the butler showed him into the parlor. Albert was alone in there, with the butler going to see if Neil was finished with his business meeting. Albert sat, staring at the portrait above the fireplace. Even though the portrait was of Neil’s father, it made him think about Miss Elwood’s artwork.
He would have never guessed that she had that level of skill with painting. He could have never imagined that she would love art, as well. It wasn’t as if there weren’t ladies in London who enjoyed art, though many of them only enjoyed it on a superficial level, so that they seemed more well-rounded. So, what were the odds that the woman he was being forced to marry would share one of his own deepest loves with him?
“Albertie?” Neil asked from behind him suddenly.
Albert whirled around, making Neil laugh. Albert rose to greet his friend, who promptly gestured to him to sit back down, as he took a seat beside him on the sofa, pulling out a bottle of liquor from the cabinet beneath it.
“I greeted you thrice before I got a response,” Neil said, pouring two drinks without waiting for Albert to give confirmation that he wanted one. “What has you so distracted?”
Albert took the drink gratefully, sighing.
“I took Miss Elwood out today,” he said.
Neil’s eyebrows raised to his hairline.
“Oh?” he asked. “That’s a far cry from the man who last left here saying that he didn’t want anything to do with her except to call off the arrangement. How did it go?”
Albert sipped his drink while his friend talked, reluctantly setting the glass aside when Neil had finished. He briefly explained everything that had occurred while they were at the museum, including how Miss Elwood didn’t even seem to notice.
Neil was nodding, smiling by the time that Albert finished telling his story.
“I see,” he said. “You mentioned stares while you two entered the museum, and stares as you left. But you said nothing about stares in between, especially while the two of you browsed the Elgin Marbles.”
Albert picked up his glass to hide a smile, taking another long sip.
“We had a couple of good discussions about art,” he said. “Especially about art mediums, and about Lord Elgin himself.”
Neil’s smile widened, and he topped Albert’s glass off. He put it in Albert’s hand and forced him to raise it, touching his glass to Albert’s.
“What was that for?” Albert asked, unable to help smiling at his friend’s grin.
Neil shrugged, waiting until they had both drank from their cups to speak again.
“Because I think you might have found the right woman for you,” he said matter-of-factly.
Albert couldn’t help but to burst out laughing.
“What?” he asked. “Surely, you jest.”
Neil’s expression became serious, but kind. He shook his head, putting down his own glass and putting a hand on Albert’s shoulder.
