In the drawing room, the women had already separated into groups. Georgiana clustered with a small circle of her friends, no doubt to gossip. Lady Margaret sat on a sofa in the center of the room, and several young ladies buzzed about her, no doubt hoping to forge an advantageous friendship. Amelia and I, however, moved in the opposite direction, to a small table and chairs placed near the fire.
We’d only been sitting a few moments when Lady Margaret rose from the sofa and moved toward us.
I sucked in a quick breath.
Had Damon said something about what had happened between us? I doubted he would bring up the whole debacle with the woman he was courting, but why else would she come my way?
Amelia followed my gaze and quickly stood, intercepting Lady Margaret only a few paces away.
Lady Margaret looked a bit confused when Amelia led her in the opposite direction. But to Lady Margaret’s credit, she politely followed Amelia away.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I had no desire to learn of all the wonderful qualities of the woman Damon would soon marry.
Sometime later, the men trickled into the drawing room. Captain Bromley and the duke made their appearance first, followed by a few other gentlemen I did not know. Eventually Ollie and Mr. Atherton wandered into the room.
But Damon never showed.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Standing at the vanity tablethe next morning, I checked my appearance in the mirror one last time. Everything appeared in place; my curls were perfectly secured beneath my bonnet, my riding habit free of wrinkle or stain.
Georgiana came up behind me. “Here,” she said, handing me a new pair of York tan gloves. “You should have a new pair of gloves for today.”
“What is happening today?”
She smiled. “I do believe Mr. Jennings will propose given the right opportunity.”
My hands stilled around the gloves. “Why would you think that?”
“How could I not? Upon arrival, Mr. Jennings begged a private audience with you. He has attached himself to your side for nearly the entirety of the weekend.”
“We are friends.”
“Friends do not kiss your hand in a garden for all to see.”
At the time of our walk in the garden, I had thought we were only playing as we used to, but upon closer inspection, I saw our encounter with new eyes. Ollie was a gentleman well versed in the rules of polite society. He would not have made his preference for me so obvious unless he felt something more for me than friendship.
Oh dear. Georgiana was right.
“My dear, you look positively terrified. I assure you, marriage is not something to be frightened of, so long as you are wedding a good and kind gentleman, which Mr. Jennings is.”
I shook my head at a loss for words. “I am only surprised.”
“Surely you cannot be.”
“No.” My voice quivered. “I do not suppose I can be.” Though I was. “I can’t marry him, Georgiana.”
“Surely you must wish to set up a household of your own.”
I did wish for a household of my own. Summerhaven. But that would never be. I shook my head.
Georgiana’s face hardened. “I know marriage is a daunting prospect without your mother to lead and guide you, but you cannot live off your father’s charity forever.”
Which was to say, if I did not marry, I would become a burden to Papa, and when he passed on, my brother would inherit the encumbrance. I did not want to be an affliction to my family, but neither did I wish to marry without love.
“You must not be selfish, Hannah. I believe Mr. Jennings intends to offer for you, and you must not think of yourself. He is handsome, kind, and most importantly, he will provide you a good life. A fine home.Children.”
I looked down at the York tan gloves in my hand and nodded.
