“Well, I am flattered, but as you see, I am in fine form.”
“Fine, indeed.”
She grew exponentially more uncomfortable. “Are you certain you would not like some tea?”
His smile faltered for the briefest of moments. “No, thank you.” He pressed his lips together, watching her with a calculated look. “I must admit I did have one reason to call beyond seeing after your health.”
Lydia glanced over her shoulder at the door. It still stood propped open, which gave her a semblance of peace. She turned back. “Yes?”
“Seeing your hosts out tonight without you had me realizing that I may not receive another such opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
“To speak with you alone.”
Lydia’s eyes widened. “Whatever for?”
Mr. Frank Colbert swallowed. “To tell you how greatly I... I admire and care for you.”
Lydia pulled back. “You . . . what?”
His eyes were drinking her and her response in. He nodded emphatically. “My feelings can no longer be contained. Please, Miss Faraday—or may I call you Lydia? Please say you will marry me.”
All she could do was stare at him in a horrified sort of shock.
“Lydia?” he asked when she did not respond.
She wet her lips, only to give herself more time to think. “I am... flattered, Mr. Frank Colbert.”
He nodded as if he’d expected that. “Then you say yes?”
“No. I cannot accept.” Her brow was furrowed, and she was sure her expression was rudely confused, but she could not helpit. Maybe he was suddenly expressing interest in her because she was now connected with the marquess and marchioness?
A panicked look crossed his face but was quickly replaced with a charming grin. “I am sorry, I should not have sprung it on you so. I understand if you need some time to think on it.”
She came to her feet. He followed suit almost eagerly. “You have certainly flattered me, but I can assure you, I do not need more time to think on it.”
He lunged for her hand as she began to retreat for the door. It wasn’t until he was holding hers that she realized she’d neglected to replace her gloves. She looked at their intertwined fingers, unsure what to do. He took her momentary confusion as an opportunity to move closer. “I will give you time, Lydia, but I cannot promise I am patient.” He brought his other hand up to her face, but she leaned back. Quickly, she disengaged their hands.
“Please leave, Mr. Frank Colbert.”
“Call me Frank.”
She gave only a pained smile in response, moving swiftly in the direction of the door. She exited swiftly, spotting the butler and saying, “Mr. Frank Colbert is going now.”
Thankfully, Mr. Frank Colbert did not push back anymore. Though he did grab her hand as he passed her, pressing it to his lips before she could react. Then he was gone, promising to return the next day to call on her.
Lydia stared after him, wiping the back of her hand on her skirt.
“Are you well, Miss Faraday?”
Her gaze snapped to the butler’s. “Yes, thank you. I will just...” She recalled all the events of the evening. “Will you find the housekeeper for me?” She still needed to try to remove those stains.
He bowed and left.
She took just a moment to stare blankly into the space in front of her before taking a bolstering breath and returning to the drawing room, shaking off the foul feeling that had come over her as Mr. Frank Colbert had made his advances. How could she possibly have ever found the man attractive?
Though, she supposed she might be a bit biased now. She had fallen in love with the most attractive and wonderful man of her acquaintance.
