* * *
When Flora stepped into her foyer half an hour later, she was trying to convince herself she wasn’t still stinging from the dismissive way Mr. Desmond had left her in the park earlier. She’d been surprised so see him there, his longish dark hair catching on the breeze and his sharp green eyes moving over her with what had certainly felt like interest.
Until it wasn’t. Until he’d gone cool and left her. Had she done something wrong? It had been so long since anyone paid her attention, she felt awkward with any focused on her now. Perhaps she’d said something or done something that…
She stopped in the foyer with a frown. Goodness, she had no interest in any man—why was she so focused on this one just because he was so very handsome?
“Your Grace?”
She started as she realized her butler was standing at her side, hand outstretched for her bonnet. She removed it. “I beg your pardon, Hendricks. I’m obviously woolgathering.”
“Of course, madam. The Duchess of Gooding is in the parlor with tea. I believe she knew you might be back from your walk around this time and I didn’t think you would mind the intrusion.”
Flora shifted. Her habits were often predicable, so she was sure Valaria would make a comment on the fact that she was ten minutes later than normal in her return from her walk. Probably because she’d been analyzing every interaction with Roarke…with Mr. Desmond.
“I’ll join her,” she forced herself to say as she made her way to the parlor. She drew a deep breath before she entered, and hoped Valaria wouldn’t see the upset that felt so plain on her face.
“Flora,” Valaria said with a smile as she crossed the room to press a kiss to Flora’s cheek. “Don’t you look fresh faced from your walk? I so respect that you always take time for a stroll alone every day. I asked Hendricks for tea—I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. Shall I pour?”
“I already did,” Valaria said, and moved to fetch the perfectly prepared cup of tea from the sideboard. They moved to the settee and sat together, and it was only then that Valaria leaned in and her brow wrinkled. “What’s wrong?”
Flora shook her head with a small, humorless laugh. “You know everyone talks about the benefits of having true friends, but no one talks about the downsides.”
“The downsides?” Valaria asked. “What do you mean?”
“That you and Bernadette always see through me, just as I have learned to see through you. It is mightily annoying on certain days, I will tell you.” Flora set her cup down. “We could play a game where I tell you nothing is wrong and then you’ll push and then I’ll tell you a little lie to throw you off and then you’ll catch me at it and eventually I’ll capitulate and tell you everything.”
“That would fill the afternoon, it seems,” Valaria said, eyes both filled with humor and concern. She leaned a little closer and touched Flora’s hand. “Dearest, if there is anyone who understands not wanting to tell every secret, it’s me.”
Flora let out her breath. Valaria had kept a terrible secret for weeks upon her arrival to the Row. Certainly Flora’s confusing exchange with a handsome man was nothing in comparison.
But Valaria continued, “I want to help you if I can. But if you want to claim your right to privacy until you are ready, I won’t push. We’ll talk about fall leaves and the exhibit of portraits by Ezra Pembroke at the Royal Academy. It just opened, you know.”
Flora hesitated. Valaria would be true to her word and they could discuss these surface topics. But did she want that?
When she was silent for a moment, Valaria tilted her head. “Or perhaps we could talk about the handsome gentleman who caught you attention at Lightmorrow’s ball a few days ago.”
Flora worried her hands before her. “Bernadette reported all to you?”
“Of course,” Valaria said with a laugh. “She said his name was…Desmond?”
“Roarke Desmond,” Flora said. “A friend of Lightmorrow’s from school, and seemingly Callum’s, as well.” Valaria’s cheeks brightened a little and Flora narrowed her gaze. “Though judging from that expression, it seems you already know that. Were you talking to your future husband about him? About me?”
“I had to vet him on your behalf,” Valaria said with a shake of her head.
“Oh, Valaria.” Flora got up. “That is silly. Yes, I met the man at the ball and he is very handsome. I’m a widow—I’m not in the ground myself. I noticed his looks, just like some young debutante might have. And yes, when I bumped into him in the park, I enjoyed his company. But it seems to be for nothing because he left me soon after.”
Valaria stared at her in confusion. “The park? What are you talking about?”
“I saw him when I was out on my walk a while ago.” Flora shook her head.
“Ah!” Valaria’s eyes lit up. “And how was it?”
Flora worried her lip. “I-I invited him to our little gathering on Friday night.”
“To our gathering,” Valaria repeated. “Oh.”
