Page List

Font Size:

“You’ve been going everywhere with him. Do you enjoy his company so?” Helena asked.

“He is a humorous and knowledgeable person. He is someone I describe as a loaded gun. Don’t be fooled by his calm demeanor, he’s exciting to be with,” Lady Lavinia said.

“I wasn’t fooled. I haven’t even seen him,” Helena said.

“Oh, yes, that’s true. You’ll get to see him soon,” Lady Lavinia said.

Helena drew near to her friend and clasped their palms together.

“You have really taken a liking to this gentleman,” Helena said.

Lady Lavinia blushed. She didn’t attempt to hide it.

“Yes, I have. And he has taken a liking to me too,” she replied.

“Is he someone that can come up to scratch?” Helena asked.

“Yes, he is totally eligible. But I don’t want to push that agenda now. We have hardly known each other for a week,” Lady Lavinia replied.

“People have gotten married based on far less,” Helena answered.

“That is true, though,” Lady Lavinia said.

She placed the fingers of her right hand on her lips and looked to be meditating.

“He asked me to go to Ireland with him when he returns,” Lady Lavinia said in a tone so low she might not have spoken at all. It was as if she was scared that if she said it too loudly, it wouldn’t be true.

“What was your answer?”

“I told him I’ll think about it.”

“Are you really thinking about it?”

“No. I’m not.”

“You will go.”

“If things continue the way they are, definitely.”

“Who could have thought your opinion about marriage could change so quickly?” Helena asked.

Lady Lavinia smiled.

“Who told you it has changed?” Lady Lavinia said.

“You might as well tell him no when he asks for your hand in marriage in the near future,” Helena said.

Lady Lavinia laughed again, the laughter bubbling up her throat till it escaped between her lips. Her mouth was wide open, and Helena saw the pink of her tongue between two rows of small white teeth.

“So where is he now?” Helena asked.

“You forget that my cousins were first his friends before he knew me. He’s with them although I’m sure he would have preferred to be with me. He asked if he should come along. I told him not to bother,” Lady Lavinia said.

“Why? I and Justina would have loved to see him, greater ammunition with which to tease you,” Helena said.

Lady Lavinia smiled.

“I knew you would still see him sooner or later. And gossip like this is why I didn’t want him to come,” Lady Lavinia said.