I nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t confront my own feelings sooner and that I didn’t tell you the truth of them at the first possible moment.”
“And I am sorry I allowed my past to steer the future course of our friendship,” Amelia said. “I am glad you wrote to me, and I’m glad you are here now.”
“As am I.”
“Now what of you and Lord Jennings?” Amelia said.
My heart felt as if would break all over again just hearing his name, but I tried not to let the emotion show on my face. “We have not spoken. Nor do I expect we will again.”
“Not spoken?” she said. “I rather expected to hear the banns read in church.”
I bit my lip. “I was worried there had been talk among thetonabout what happened at the ball.”
“Only whisperings,” Amelia said. “No one else saw anything that happened in the garden gazebo, so there was only a tiny bit of talk about your sudden departure, both from the ball and Summerhaven the next day.”
I bit my lip, worried, not only for my own reputation but also for Damon’s. Though a man’s reputation was much more robust than a woman’s, it was not impenetrable. In order to marry a wealthy daughter of a peer, surely his name would need to be free of blemish.
“Do not worry,” Amelia said. “Lady Winfield silenced all talk by explaining that you only left because you were so homesick for your papa in London.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “That is good.” Though I hated to think of Damon marrying someone else, it was his duty, and I did not begrudge him happiness.
“But what of you and Lord Jennings?” Amelia asked again.
“I am afraid there will be no banns read. Even though we care deeply for each other, he has a duty to his family, his estate, and to his tenants to marry a wealthy woman.”
“Oh, Hannah. I am sorry. Truly. What will you do?”
“I suppose I will try my best not to think of him until the sting of losing him has passed.”
Amelia bit her lip. “And what if Lord Jennings decides to attend Captain Bromley’s party?”
“Damon will not be here.” I shook my head. “You must trust me; my sister-in-law would have made itabundantlyknown if an unmarried future earl was planning to attend.”
“Oh, he will be here,” Amelia said with an air of confidence I could only hope to possess one day.
“What makes you so sure?”
“My eyes.” She batted her eyelashes and then pointed behind me. “Is that not him alighting from his family’s carriage?”
I glanced over my shoulder, and my heart fluttered like a leaf caught in a breeze.
Damon.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Top hat in hand, Damonemerged from the carriage wearing buckskin breeches, a dark coat, and a snow-white cravat. It had been over a month since I’d seen him, but my feelings had not lessened. If anything, they’d only grown stronger.
A moment later, Ollie alighted.
“Did you know they were attending?” I asked Amelia.
She shook her head.
I suddenly realized why they were here, or at least whyDamonwas here. “Lady Margaret,” I whispered. “He is here to court Lady Margaret.”
“You don’t know that.” Amelia laid her hand on my shoulder. “It will be all right.”
“I am sure you’re correct,” I said, and it was true. Everythingwouldbe all right, though not in the way she meant. If Lady Margaret consented to marry Damon, Summerhaven would be saved. I knew this was his plan; I just did not think I would have to watch it happen. I took a steadying breath and met Amelia’s gaze. “I had best return to Henry and Georgiana. May I find you later?”
