“Actually, I’ve never seen two people happier or more in love.”
This reply had been soft and incredulous, as if Frances couldn’t quite believe it was possible. But after that, Roslynn knew her friend would become too upset if she learned that Roslynn had found Anthony Malory attractive, so she hadn’t mentioned him at all. It was too obvious that Frances still abhorred men like him in the extreme.
But regardless of knowing how her friend felt, even being of the same mind, Roslynn had still been full of Anthony that night, so full of him that Nettie had noticed the minute Roslynn walked into her bedroom.
Her very first words had been, “Well, I see ye’ve met yer mon. What’s his name, then?”
Brought out of her cloud, Roslynn had quickly prevaricated that there wasn’t one him, but four, and she immediately launched into everything she knew about them so far, which wasn’t much but managed to quell Nettie’s first assumption quite nicely. Now she was putting too much importance on Lady Eden’s invitation, when every other invitation she had received since her introduction to society had been decided on with barely a thought. Definitely out of character.
It was no wonder Frances thought something was wrong with her. But at least she couldn’t guess what it was. Nettie, on the other hand, had been watching her like a hawk ever since she had returned from her ride with Timmy yesterday. How she had given herself away she didn’t know.
“The decision might be simple for you,” she said to Frances rather defensively, “but I have other things to consider.”
“Such as?”
“The time involved, for one. Being out of the city for three or four days is just going to delay—”
“Didn’t you tell me Regina promised to invite your gentlemen as well?”
“That doesn’t mean they’ll go, Frances. The season’s only just started. She’s picked an off time to have a weekend party in the country.”
“Silverley’s in Hampshire, not days away. And besides, you also mentioned that she promised to speak to her husband and give you all the information he has on your gentlemen as soon as you get there. For that reason alone, I would think you would want to go.”
Logic, logic, how to refute it? “Who’s to say he knows anything pertinent? It could turn out to be a complete waste of time.”
“Then you can turn right around and be back in London the same evening.”
“And leave you there?” Roslynn protested. “How would you get back?”
Frances shook her head. “I give up. You obviously don’t want to go, so I won’t either. We have a half-dozen other invitations for this weekend, so we’ll—”
“Now don’t be putting words in my mouth. I haven’t said no yet.”
“Well?”
Roslynn walked on, tossing her next words over her shoulder. “I still need to think on it.”
She never should have brought up the party again to begin with, revealing her anxiety about it. She could almost hear the wheels spinning in Nettie’s mind. Frances at least didn’t have any idea what the trouble was. But Nettie knew her too well. And what could she tell Nettie when she got around to asking, and she would? More of the same excuses, even though Frances had just pointed out she really had none?
Hell’s teeth! She was ready to wring her hands over this one. Everything logical said there was nothing to decide. She needed to go to Silverley if for no other reason than to get the information Regina would have for her. Also, she had only to ask herself, what if she didn’t go, but all four of her “possibles” did? Then she would be stuck in London accomplishing nothing, andthatwould be a pure waste of time.
On the other hand, and it was a great big other hand, there was a chance Anthony Malory might show up at Silverley for this party, and seeing him again was something Roslynn didn’t want to risk, didn’t dare risk. He was just too tempting by half. That silly, girlish reaction she had had to him yesterday in the park, in broad daylight, even surrounded by others, proved it without a doubt.
She should have been more specific by asking Lady Eden if the one Malory she didn’t want to see again would be there. But she hadn’t wanted to give herself away. She had to be oh, so insouciant instead by asking if any Malorys would be there. So she deserved Regina’s evasive “I never know when one or more of them will drop by. They know they’re always welcome in my home, you see.”
That was what she got for being so reticent, for pretending an indifference she was far from feeling. Now it was a matter of delaying her goal by several days or running into that rake again by chance.
There was really only one decision to make, so she might as well stop prevaricating over it. Another encounter with Anthony Malory was to be avoided at all costs. She had to accept the delay.
“Here we are, Ros. Dickens and Smith, my last stop for today,” Frances said, then remonstrated, “You know, you’re no fun at all to shop with. Youcould at least come in the shop, even if you don’t want to buy anything.”
Roslynn couldn’t quite manage a smile in her present depression to tease Frances out of her disgruntlement. “I would if you hadn’t picked such a hot day to drag me about. Going into the perfumers and the stocking warehouse was enough for me, thank you. I don’t know how you could stand the bonnet warehouse and the silk mercers, but then I suppose you’re used to it. But you forget we have a colder clime in Scotland. It’s just too stuffy in these shops. At least there’s a wee breeze out here, even if you can hardly notice it. Go on. I’ll wait out here again with Nettie.”
It didn’t take Nettie but two seconds to start in on her once the door of the drapery shop had closed on Frances and Anne. “Now, lass, ye’ll be telling me—”
“Och, Nettie, dinna be onto me now.” Roslynn was quick to forestall her. “I’m in no mood to be picked apart, none a-tall.”
Nettie was not one to let go easily. “Ye’ll no’ be denying ye’ve been acting mighty strange.”
