The question was, what could he do about it now?
Was there a chance to win his friend back? Win her love again?
There was no other woman that he had ever wanted as much as Frances.
Seth pushed his fingers through his hair as he made his way to the breakfast room and hoped that his cook would not mind making a pot of coffee instead of tea.
“Good morning,” Blythe greeted him cheerfully.
He nearly scowled, but reminded himself that it wasn’t Blythe’s fault that he was in a foul mood.
“What are your plans for today?” she asked.
He intended to convince Frances to at least talk to him. “Nothing specific,” he answered instead. “Why?”
“Because you were correct. I needed to leave this house and rejoin Society. The theatre and masquerade proved that to me.”
At least he had been right about something. Just not the decisions that had altered his life.
“I am glad to hear it.” He took his seat at the table and a footman approached. “Coffee today, and a light breakfast please.”
With just the two of them, Cook did not prepare food for a sideboard. Instead, she waited until they appeared downstairs to find out what he and Blythe might wish to have for breaking their fast.
The footman retrieved one of the pots and filled his cup with dark liquid, which Seth took a drink of almost immediately.
“I am glad that you are free this afternoon,” Blythe announced.
Seth looked at her over the rim of his cup. While he was happy that she wanted to be out of the house, he wasn’t so certain he should be the one to join her. “Why?”
“I have not been to Astley’s Amphitheatre since before I married. There is a performance this afternoon and I would like to attend.”
Seth couldn’t recall the last time he had been to Astley’s Amphitheatre and wasn’t so certain he wished to attend today. He needed to see Frances.
“Why not ask Tessa.”
“Because you need to be out as well as I. We discussed this. Therefore, you will take me to Astley’s Amphitheatre this afternoon.”
Blythe then set her cup in the saucer, rose and left him alone.
Seth frowned and wondered at the change. He had to practically beg her to attend the theatre the other evening and she attended the masquerade with reluctance, but now she was the one insisting on another outing. Was it really because she wanted to enjoy entertainments, or was she up to something?
Though, in truth, he could not imagine what ulterior motives she might have for making him take her anywhere. It wasn’t as if anything particular happened last night to alter her perception. She’d not danced with anyone and only stood with Tessa and Lady Bethany.
It could simply be that once Blythe had experienced being out again, surrounded by other people, she became aware of what she had been denying herself and wished to enjoy other activities. For that reason, he would happily accompany her while formulating plans on how to win Frances back, if it was even possible.
When Frances had agreed to live with Bethany, she had not anticipated being asked to accompany her on outings every day. Today Bethany and Tessa had decided to attend Astley’s Amphitheatre because Tessa’s husband, the Duke of Ellings, had never been. Frances thought they would go on without her but Bethany insisted Frances join them.
She had thought it rather odd that he had not attended previously until she recalled that he was an American, and being an heir is what had originally brought him to England not so long ago.
At first, she thought to decline the invitation, but changed her mind because if she remained home and alone in her set of rooms, she’d likely only think about Seth, as she had all through the night.
Frances had struggled with longing to be in his arms again and wondering if it was a mistake to have rejected his request to call on her, and then remembered the pain when he rejected her and left her behind. She could not trust him even if he was the cousin of her employer and he certainly did not deserve her friendship, let alone love.
As she hadn’t been to Astley’s Amphitheatre in a few years and recalled enjoying it, Frances determined that it would be a good distraction to keep her mind off Seth, but as soon as they settled in their seats, Tessa stood and waved to someone.
Frances looked to see whose attention her employer wanted and then nearly groaned when it turned out to be Seth and his sister.
She should have remained at home.
