“I will not be visiting Ianthe,” Cordelia answered.
“You promised her.”
“Please tell her that I am indisposed today.”
“You don’t look indisposed to me.”
“Edward, please,” Cordelia begged. She did not have it in her to do battle with her younger brother. Just once she wished he’d give her peace and not question her words or actions.
He frowned. “What is really wrong?”
Was there concern in his tone?
Even if it was genuine interest, Cordelia could not tell him the truth.
For one, she’d start crying. Second, she was embarrassed that she had allowed herself to become emotionally attached to a gentleman she barely knew. And third, if Edward knew the truth, it was likely he’d not give her peace. He’d tease her and might tell Ianthe, then she’d tell her family. Cordelia didn’t wish to experience that humiliation on top of everything else. “I have a fierce headache.” She closed her book and stood. “I think I’ll take to my bed until it passes.”
Thank goodness he said nothing further, but Cordelia could feel Edward watching her as she left the parlor and then climbed the stairs. It was sweet that he cared, but being only thirteen, he couldn’t begin to appreciate the pain in her heart. However, once she recovered, she’d have a long talk with him of how to treat a miss when the time came. She’d forbid him to become a rake, rogue and any manner of disreputable gentleman. Their mother wasn’t around to see that it was done, and she wasn’t certain Adam would have the time as he’d have his own children to care for. Therefore, once again, seeing that Edward became a respectable adult fell to her because they might as well not even have a mother for how little they saw her. Further, given how her mother went from one lover to the next without a care for her own reputation, she was a poor example for Edward.
The headache was becoming more real by the moment, and she wasn’t certain if it was from lack of sleep or the pain in her heart had spread to her head, or her worry about Edward.
A nap--that is what she needed. A soothing nap, though she wished she had tea to assist in healing the heart and dissolving discontent.
If she wasn’t so afraid of Brighid seeing the truth of the matter, Cordelia would walk toThe Hourglassand ask for a special tea, but she couldn’t let anyone else see her humiliation. Especially when Cordelia had brought it on herself.
How could she have been so foolish to think that after a few conversations and a waltz that Bentford would possibly see her as anything more than a neighbor? Gentlemen like him didn’t court someone who was unremarkable. They were attracted to a diamond of the first water, wealthy and beautiful ladies, or heiresses. While Cordelia’s family was well respected, there was absolutely nothing special about her and she’d been foolish enough to think she was falling in love.
What a ninny she was.
She behaved no differently than those misses who sighed and sometimes fainted when the most handsome lord in the room glanced their way. Cordelia truly thought she had more sense, which she clearly did not.
Therefore, once she’d recovered from this slight misstep, she would return to being sensible and would never allow this to happen again.
At the pounding on her chamber door, Cordelia let out a groan. Only one person knew that she had come here to rest. “Go away, Edward,” she called.
“It’s me,” Adriana said.
“Come in.” Was she to have no peace?
“Lady Chandos is here and asking for you.”
“Tell her that I have a headache.” Cordelia rolled away, putting her back to the door.
“She says that it is imperative that you visit with Ianthe today and grew concerned when you didn’t respond to her missive.”
That had not been well done of her. Instead of sending regrets, Cordelia had ignored the message.
“She says that Ianthe is overly distraught and cannot be calmed.”
Why did it have to be her? Why couldn’t Lady Chandos assist her granddaughter?
Cordelia suddenly sat up. Lady Chandos was not supposed to leave Nightshade Manor. To do so could bring danger to her.
Ianthe must truly be distraught for Lady Chandos to risk herself.
“Tell her I’ll be by shortly to assist Ianthe, but that I need to repair my appearance first.”
Chapter 20
