“I am going to discern, once and for all, what her real feelings for me are.”
“And how will you go about it?”
“You are going to propose to her,” Theo stated, matter-of-factly.
Oliver scoffed. “What? You must be out of your mind!Ihave no desire to marry Miss Bingley.”
“You would not be marrying her. Here is what I calculate: if she truly loves me, she will not accept the addresses of a man whom she does not love, no matter how wealthy and titled he may be.”
“And if she does accept? What then? I’ve no wish to be honor-bound to marry the lady.”
“As the proposal would be made in my name– that of Lord Connally– it is I who would be bound, not you.” Theo sighed. “If she accepts the proposal, then I shall know that she only ever desired being Lady Connally, and all the wealth that accompanies it. And I shall marry her anyways. Because I love her, and I cannot live my life without her.”
It was the first time he said it out loud. He let the weight of that truth rest in the air as he sat down on the drawing room sofa.
Oliver came and sat beside his friend. “Suppose she rejects you once she learns the truth? Suppose she cannot stand to be married to a liar?”
“It is a risk I must take. The truth must come out sometime. It is a fact I have already accepted. You told me from the beginning that this scheme was a foolhardy one, and yet I went forward with it anyway.”
Beaujean entered the room. His hair was freshly combed and slicked with ample amounts of pomade and he reeked of cologne. He had recently found himself a new lady, though he would not say who she was, and was about to go off to see her. “What are you chums looking so glum for?”
“Theo wants me to propose to Miss Bingley,” Oliver said.
“Zounds! I knew this game of yours was dicked in the nob, but I never thought you would take it so far as to have your friend marry your lady-love. What are you thinking, Connally? Is this some sort of trick? Let Miss Bingley say her vows to ‘Lord Connally’, then have you come to her wedding bedchambers instead? I say! You have taken it too far!”
“No, nothing of the sort, I can assure you!” Theo tried not to laugh at Beaujean’s ridiculous presumptions. “I would never do such a thing to Miss Bingley. I will tell her the truth, in its entirety, once she gives her answer to Oliver’s proposal, regardless of what the answer may be.”
“Well! This I will have to see then! It will be far too entertaining to miss. I suppose I am coming with you to Fairclough after all.”
“What about your lady friend?” Oliver asked.
“She will forgive me for not meeting her at the arranged time. I can send a note.”
S
The gentlemen arrived precisely on time. Tea was to be held in the conservatory. Mrs. Hurst greeted her guests in the drawing room first. Then, her footmen lifted her from her sofa and into her wheeled chair. One of them pushed the chair while the other walked alongside. Louisa walked behind the dark-haired one, eyeing him with the same sort of hungry look she might give to a tray of delicious buns. Caroline felt her stomach turn in revulsion.
When they reached the garden conservatory, she sat where Louisa directed her to, next to Lord Connally. Mr. Hodge and Mr. Beaujean were seated opposite them at the large round table. Mrs. Hurst’s wheeled chair was drawn up directly to the table to spare her having to be moved by her footmen again.
There was an empty space where Mr. Hurst should have sat. But they did not have to wait long for him. About the time the tea cart came, he waddled in as fast as his legs could carry him.
“Apologies for my tardiness! It is such a fine day, I decided to take a nap in my hammock and did not know the time.” Turning to his wife, he asked, “Why did you not wake me, Mrs. Hurst?”
Louisa kept her eyes on her teacup, slowly stirring it with her spoon. “I did not know where you were, and I was too tired to go looking.”
Caroline raised one brow.Too tired! Farrafiddle!She quickly took a sip of her tea.
Caroline sensed Mr. Hodge watching her. She stole a glance at him. The smile shared between them was like a hidden secret.
Lord Connally changed the subject, “Are you excited for the fair, Miss Bingley?”
“Undoubtedly,” Caroline replied, eager to turn her mind away from her sister’s dalliances.
Tomorrow, the fair was to begin. The preparations were nearly complete. Already, farmers and merchants had begun to set up their booths.
“Is everything ready, Your Lordship? Do you require my assistance for anything?” she asked.
“Your assistance has been invaluable, Miss Bingley, but I believe it is all well in hand. The Lord Mayor has taken over some of the minor administrative details for me. There is nothing left for us to do but to enjoy the fair.”
