Page 34 of A Brilliant Match
His threat seemed to work, for of course that was what it was. He would not reach his brother-in-law any other way.
“I see your point,” Albert said. “Very well, I will tell Mary to send for Lady Isabelle, and she may stay here while you sort out your estate matters. Do make haste, though. You are a reasonably attractive option for many women on the marriage mart, and you should easily find someone to marry who has enough of a dowry to set your estate to rights. I can’t allow any distractions to hinder my political career. I’m counting on you.”
“And so you might.” Miles stood. “Well, I thank you for your forbearance and appreciate your efforts in caring for our mother. I do not wish to trespass upon your time any longer, so I will bid you good day.”
“Of course.” Albert stood, and they shook hands. Miles left, feeling relieved of the immediate concern, at least. His mother would not have to be subject to leaky ceilings and moldy walls.
He had not liked pushing Albert into the corner in that manner, but he was desperate enough to do so and didn’t think it fair to force his sister to bear the entire burden of trying to cajole him into acting honorably.
A full week passed before Miles saw Dorothea again. He hadn’t precisely been looking for her, as he knew this first glimpse was something for which he would need to fortify his heart. When their paths crossed at last, it was in the unlikely place of the Pantheon Bazaar. He had let down his guard, thinking that she wouldn’t be found in a place like this, so filled with common people.
He had come in an attempt to distract his mind and lose himself in watching the motley set of people and looking over the accessories that could be bought for shillings. As he gently elbowed his way through the crowds of people standing over tables and examining the articles on offer, Lady Sophia turned and spotted him, causing him to stop dead in his tracks and turn his eyes to the figure next to her, his heart pounding.
Lady Sophia’s eyes lit with a smile, and she nudged her sister, who was talking to Miss Kensington. Dorothea turned with a startled look then turned away again just as quickly. When he arrived in front of them a moment later, she pivoted back to face him. Her face was flushed as she dipped into a curtsy.
“Good day, Lady Dorothea.” Miles bowed, wishing their meeting could have some of the ease they had had before. If he had not found her entirely forthcoming at the beginning of their acquaintance, now he felt entirely out in the cold.
“Lady Sophia,” he added, bowing to her sister. She smiled and dipped her eyes. Last, he greeted Miss Kensington.
She returned the greeting and said, “I am afraid I was just bidding Lady Dorothea and Lady Sophia farewell. I have a prior engagement with my godmother and must not tarry.”
Miss Kensington handed her package to her maid. “I will see you both tonight,” she said with a small wave and nodded to Miles before leaving them. He stood, almost motionless, unable to move on but unsure what to say.
“Mr. Shaw, how good it is to see you,” Lady Dorothea remarked in a colorless voice. He wished he knew if she found this meeting as difficult as he did. If she did, it would allow him to feel hope.
“It is indeed a pleasure,” he replied.
Although the pleasure he spoke of was more akin to torture. In the week that had gone by—even when it had included two intimatesoiréesdancing with very lovely young ladies—he had not been able to convince his heart that his proposal was a mere practical one. He had tried, certainly. But his reluctance to enter into any other suit, no matter how desperate his situation, had proven him otherwise.
They might have stood like that, immobile and awkward, were it not for the unlikely assistance of Lady Sophia.
“Would you care to walk with us? Or…” She stopped and looked at her sister, as though hoping for help. Dorothea remained silent. “Or perhaps you have other things you might wish to do.”
If Miles had wanted a perfect excuse handed to him to escape their company and lick his wounds in private, this was it. Furthermore, it would be a chance to send a sharp message to Dorothea that if she did not wish for him as a husband, she might not have him at all. The loss would be hers. He would find someone else who considered him worthy.
For, despite his state of relative poverty, Miles had never doubted his own worth. He had never struggled with thinking that it came from wealth or position. It would be gratifying to send her that message and hope that the next time their paths crossed, it was while he was escorting a very beautiful woman—one who happened to appreciate him.
However, there was something in the way Dorothea looked at him, as though she expected him to refuse. He thought he saw regret there. It was the glimpse of this more vulnerable emotion that caused him to shake his head and smile at Lady Sophia.
“If my company is agreeable to you, then I am happy to give it.”
He knew he had made the right decision when he saw a tiny smile light on Dorothea’s face. Even if she were not interested in marrying him, it appeared she did not wish to sever their ties entirely.
Lady Sophia nodded once. “If you will excuse me, I wish to look at the ribbons here, for I believe I spied a blue one in just the shade I need.” She did not wait for an answer but tucked herself into the crowd of women around a table displaying ribbons. Miles and Dorothea looked at each other.
“I did not expect to see you here,” Miles said.
Dorothea lifted her eyes then dropped them to his cravat, where they remained fixed. She was far from the haughty woman he had met that first night.
“And would not have come if you had known you would find me here, I suppose.”
Miles glanced at the crowds. Although people circulated around them, it was noisy enough that he thought he could risk saying what was really on his mind. After all, he was rather sure he perceived a hint of regret over her refusal.
“I am not quite as mercenary as you must think me.” Miles leaned in slightly to make sure this was not overheard, adding softly, “I am disappointed. I will own to that. But I wish to be a friend. I like you, you see.”
To his surprise, Dorothea’s eyes took on a sheen of moisture. She breathed in and looked away. After blinking and controlling her features in a manner he was coming to recognize as a desperate attempt to keep her vulnerabilities hidden, she turned back to him.
“I appreciate your friendship, Mr. Shaw, and must tell you that I am glad not to lose it altogether.”
