Page 25 of ?n Arranged Betrothal with a Blind Duke
Adrian didn’t realize he had tensed, preparing for judgment in her voice or demeanor, until he heard a similar friendly warmth in her tone that he heard from Miss Ludlow during their first meeting.
“Likewise, Miss Brown,” he said. “And this is my friend, Lord Henry Harrington.”
There was more rustling of skirts and, beside him, Henry bowed.
“Pleasure to make the acquaintance of two lovely ladies,” he said.
Miss Brown giggled, and Adrian felt eyes on him. He turned toward the blur that he knew to be Miss Ludlow and gave her a smile.
“Imagine our luck, encountering such handsome gentlemen on such a lovely day,” Miss Brown said.
Adrian smirked, this time at the interaction between Miss Brown and Henry. If he didn’t know better, he would think that it sounded a little like flirting.
He turned back to Miss Ludlow, his grin returning.
“Would you two like to join us on our stroll?” he asked.
There was a pause during which Adrian assumed the two women were sharing glances. Then, Miss Ludlow cleared her throat, while Miss Brown giggled again.
“We’d be delighted,” she said.
With the introductions finished, a sense of possibility filled the air. Adrian's mind whirled with questions and curiosity. His mind went back to his aunt’s spontaneous mention of a marriage to Miss Ludlow. It seemed as though such a meeting on the very same day was something delivered to him from fate. Would this meeting pave the way for something more? Were the threads of fate weaving together their destinies in this idyllic corner of Thornwood?
With Patches frolicking nearby and the company of Miss Ludlow and Miss Brown, Adrian felt a glimmer of hope igniting within his chest. The path ahead, though obscured by blurred outlines, seemed to hold the promise of unexpected connections and whispered romances. In this enchanted moment, Adrian allowed himself to believe in the power of chance encounters and the potential for a love that transcended the limitations of his sight.
The air around them was filled with lighthearted banter and shared laughter, intertwining like a delicate tapestry. Adrian found himself swept up in the lively conversation, his heart buoyed by the warmth of companionship. As they walked along the tree-lined path, the anticipation of the village summer fair danced in their words, each person adding their own touch of excitement.
“I wonder if Mrs. Beasel will be selling her famous pies this year,” Miss Ludlow pondered aloud. “She won the pie tasting contest, and rightfully so. I understand that she will not compete this year, as to give some of the new young contestants a chance to really shine. She truly is a dear, that woman.”
Miss Brown gasped in the way that young, excited ladies did.
“I certainly hope so,” she said. “And I hope that the fortune teller returns, as well.”
Beside him, Miss Ludlow nodded eagerly.
“I hope they have musicians as wonderful as they did last year,” she said dreamily. “Their numbers were played so exquisitely that it was impossible not to be swept away by the melody. Even dancing alone amidst the vibrant tents and the joyful laughter of fellow fair-goers, moving to their music felt like a glimpse of heaven.”
Miss Ludlow’s voice, vibrant and animated, painted vivid images of the fair in Adrian's mind. He could almost see the colorful stalls and hear the merry tunes of the musicians. Her enthusiasm was infectious, igniting a spark of anticipation within him. The fair, a much-anticipated event in the village, seemed to come alive through her words.
He listened intently to the stories and anecdotes, his heart swelling with genuine delight. It was as if time stood still, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the joys of the present. The worries and uncertainties that often plagued his mind were momentarily set aside, replaced by the carefree laughter and bright conversation that filled the air.
“Do you remember the young man who got tangled up in a long string of ribbons?” Miss Brown asked, bursting into a fit of giggles. “He was so excited, singing to himself about delighting his love with them, and the breeze caught them just right and they tangled around his feet.”
Miss Ludlow giggled, quickly stifling herself.
“Oh, I feel terrible for laughing at his misfortune,” she said, sounding suddenly sheepish. “But he looked up at us with the grin of a young man in love and said, “I would take a million falls just like that if it pleased my darling Glenda.”
Henry laughed heartily at the story.
“Well, if he was happy, then there is no reason to fret,” he said. “A fool in love probably still thought he was walking on clouds.”
Miss Brown giggled hysterically at Henry’s quip.
“He certainly was,” she said. “Annabelle and I helped him up, and he carried on, dirty pants and all, still grinning madly.”
Adrian gazed toward Miss Ludlow, imagining her eyes sparkling with excitement and her smile radiant. She had been kind enough to help a fallen man off the ground. Somehow, that didn’t surprise him. But it made him admire her even more.
In that moment, he couldn't help but admire her zest for life and the way she effortlessly brought joy to those around her. Her presence, like a ray of sunshine, illuminated his world, reminding him of the beauty that could be found amidst life's challenges.
