He was much more silent over the course of their next dance. Some of the watching eyes had turned away, finding something else to entertain their curiosities, but still a large number observed their every step, including Lady Cheltenham, whom Lydia glimpsed watching them with a small crease between her brows. All the attention was growing difficult to manage. Already, her thoughts had been clouded with confusion regarding her future and her marriage possibilities, but now she had to be worried about everyone else’s thoughts as well.
Lydia was grateful when the dance concluded, but the eyes followed them as Lord Berkeley led her to a spot at the dinner tables. He sat beside her, leaning close. “If it is too much to manage, you are welcome to join my mother for the meal.”
Lydia shook her head. She not want to slight Lord Berkeley by leaving him or give the onlookers more to gossip about, but she also did not really want to learn what had put the crease between Lady Cheltenham’s brows. Perhaps the woman was regretting the kindnesses she’d shown Lydia. Perhaps she was worried there was something of a romantic nature occurring between her and her eldest son.
Was there?
Did Lydia want there to be?
Yes. heaven help her, she did.
As Lord Berkeley settled in beside her and sent her one of his almost-smiles, she felt the truth of it like a wave crashing over her. She’d fallen in love with him. And despite the fact that she should not even hope for such a possibility as a future with him, she wanted desperately to know if it was viable.
***
“Lady Cheltenham,” Lydia addressed her hostess at breakfast the next morning. The marchioness had not acted any differently since Lydia had danced with her son at the ball, butLydia still felt the need to tread carefully. Currently, her entire existence in London relied on this woman, as it had previously relied on Lord Tarrington. Lydia was growing exhausted with relying on people, no matter how kind this family had been.
“Yes, dear?” Lady Cheltenham replied, setting down her spoon to pick up her tea.
“I wondered if I might run an errand today.” Lydia fingered the side of her cup as she spoke. The idea had been growing for some time, but last night had solidified it. She wanted to know for certain what her options for her future were.
The door to the breakfast room opened then, revealing Lord Berkeley. Lydia had to look back at the door twice, not having expected him. If anyone, she would have thought it would be Lord Cheltenham arriving. Lord Charles hardly ever woke early enough to take breakfast with the family, and Lydia had not once seen Lord Berkeley at the meal either. Though she imagined it was not because he was sleeping in.
Lord Berkeley nodded to them both in greeting then made for the sideboard of food.
“Of course,” Lady Cheltenham said. “Where is it you need to go?”
“Ah, to see a solicitor,” Lydia replied.
The woman tilted her head in confusion. “Is everything well?”
“Yes, simply a few questions I have for the man. He was... well, he was the solicitor for my late grandfather.”
Lady Cheltenham’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? Who is this solicitor?”
“A Mr. Sperry.”
Lord Berkeley came to the table, stopping with his plate of food.
Lady Cheltenham looked up. “Good morning, Lucas.”
“Good morning to you as well, Mother.” He sat, sending a look Lydia’s way before turning to his food.
“Would you be able to escort Lydia to see her solicitor?” Lady Cheltenham asked, picking up her glass and taking a drink.
Lord Berkeley’s and Lydia’s startled gazes met one another across the table.
“That is not necessary, Lady Cheltenham. I do not wish to disrupt Lord Berkeley’s day.”
Lady Cheltenham waved her words aside and picked up her cup of tea, but before Lydia responded, Lord Berkeley cut in.
“Not a disruption at all. Shall we say noon, Miss Faraday?”
Surprised but not unhappy, Lydia agreed.
A few hours later, Lydia was handed into a closed carriage with Lord Berkeley. Jones came with them but blessedly tucked herself into a corner and did not say a thing. She’d grown less overt in her frustrations with Lydia since they’d come to stay with the marquess and marchioness. Lydia wasn’t naive enough to think it had anything to do with Lydia herself. Rather it was a recognition that Jones was now lower in status than nearly everyone in the home save the lowest maids and working boys.
Lydia was too overwhelmed with planning her meeting with Mr. Sperry to be much of a conversationalist, and Lord Berkeley did not pry into her plans, but he did insist on seeing her inside when Lydia told Jones that she could wait in the carriage.
