“There’s more,” I said, taking a step closer and lowering my voice. “Before I tell you though, I must know that I can trust you to keep my secret.”
“You can trust me,” Miss Atherton said.
With a nod, I took a steadying breath and said, “Damon isn’t ready to enter into marriage.”
Her face softened, and she laughed lightly. “That is hardly a secret.”
“Perhaps not, but in the coming weeks, it mayappearas though he’s ready to marry.”
“Oh?”
“Damon’s asked my permission to court me.”
Her eyes widened.
“It is only a charade,” I added quickly, “to appease his father so he won’t have to court another young lady and marry before he is ready.”
“But what of your feelings for his brother?” she asked.
I quickly explained how Damon’s plan aided my desire to catch Ollie’s eye.
“That is—”
“Ill-advised, I know. Do you hate me?” I asked.
Her delayed response did little to comfort me. If she didn’t approve of my and Damon’s plan, would she tell others?
“I don’t hate you. In fact, it’s rather refreshing to have an honest friend. Not many exist, you know.”
“Idoknow, which is why, after the kindness you showed me at the ball, I couldn’t bear you thinking poorly of me. I want us to be friends.”
“As do I. You can’t know how difficult it was to sit through supper across from you and Lord Jennings. The way he looked at you—”
“He was teasing me. There’s nothing I can’t palate more than frog legs.”
“And he made you eat them.” A hand flew to her mouth, to hide her amusement. “I’m sorry,” she said through a giggle. “I’m only so relieved. I thought I had been betrayed all over again.”
“Again?”
The humor drained from Miss Atherton’s eyes, and she glanced over her shoulder at the sofa, where her mother and Lady Winfield sipped tea. “It is all rather embarrassing.” She moved closer. “During my first Season, my dearest friend, Rose, fancied herself something of a matchmaker. All Season, she conspired to pull me and a Mr. Wheaton together; she dragged me to every ball, tea, and opera.”
“Did you fancy him?” I asked.
“Not in the beginning, but Rose convinced me that Mr. Wheaton was half in love with me, and with each clandestine meeting, I fell in love with him. By the end of the Season, I fully expected him to declare his suit. Instead, he confessed he’d fallen in love with Rose and that she loved him as well. They were married last fall.”
“Oh, Miss Atherton.” I touched her arm. “I’m so sorry.”
“No need for pity.” She smiled. “I gave my heart to a man who didn’t deserve it, but I’ve recovered, and I won’t make the same mistake twice.”
“I believe you won’t,” I said. Miss Atherton had such an air of strength and determination about her.
She raised her chin. “That is why I have set my sights on Lord Jennings. He has no interest in love, so my heart will be in no danger of breaking.”
She spoke the right words, but to lose the man she loved to her closest friend? I couldn’t imagine anything worse. “Why does it have to be this way between women? Always a competition.”
She lifted one shoulder, then let it fall heavily back in place. “Friendship seems to be a luxury onlymarriedwomen can afford.”
“Until they have daughters of their own,” I said. “Then the race for the most eligible son-in-law begins.”
