“Then why are you here?” Not that he minded.
“Likely the same reason as you. Lady Bethany asked me to join her and I am certain your sister begged you to bring her.”
He frowned. “Yes, she did.”
Frances huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
“What is wrong?” he asked quietly.
She glanced in one direction and then the other before she stood and turned to Lady Bethany. “I find that I am developing a headache. Thank you for inviting me, but I am returning home.” Frances then marched away, leaving those who had come with her staring at her departure.
“I leave you in the care of Tessa,” Seth said to Blythe.
“Where are you off to?” Blythe asked.
“To look after Miss Hawthorn. She seemed rather upset, and if her health is failing, I would hate to see her come to further harm because she is unaccompanied.”
It was an acceptable excuse but he suspected they all knew that Frances did not have a headache, unless that is what she considered him to be. A wise man would let her leave and accept her rejection, but Seth already acknowledged that he was a fool and had been for far too long and he was also determined to have Franny back in his life.
“I will see you at home, then,” Blythe offered and appeared unconcerned when she had practically begged him to bring her here today in the event she was the one who needed to leave.
He dismissed the oddity and hurried from the building where he found Frances on the walk, nearly stomping away and he hurried to catch up to her.
“What is the matter?” he asked.
She whipped around and pinned him with a glare. “Do you not find it odd that after we met at the masquerade, we have found ourselves at the same functions two days in a row?”
“I assumed that it was a coincidence.”
“Is it a coincidence that they manage to seat us beside each other?”
What was Frances implying? Did Blythe have an ulterior motive for wanting to attend this lecture and Astley’s Amphitheatre yesterday?
“This is your fault, you know. If you would have danced with others at the masquerade then they likely would have not noted that we danced twice.”
“Why should it matter?”
“Because your sister, cousin and Lady Bethany have decided to become matchmakers. The very thing Her Grace and Lady Bethany would resent if it was done to them.”
He certainly had no argument with their efforts. “Are you certain?”
“Yes,” she nearly yelled. “I overheard Her Grace and Lady Bethany discussing how they, including Lady Blythe, would keep arranging these outings, forcing us together until you finally called on me.”
“I have asked to do so,” he reminded her.
“To what purpose?” she demanded. “They seem to think we would make an excellent match and apparently, your sister thinks it is time you wed.” She snorted. “They have decided on me when we both know they are wrong.”
“Are they?” he asked quietly.
Frances gaped at him. “Yes! If you recall, that was a decision you made five years ago.” By the time she was finished, Frances was yelling at him, something she had never done in the ten years that they were friends. Franny then marched away to hail a hackney.
Seth wanted to accompany her, but also knew that he was not wanted. But, as he watched the conveyance pull back into the traffic, he knew that was not the last conversation they would have on the matter.
As soon as Frances returned home, she went directly to her set of rooms and did not leave again until the following morning. She was still beyond irritated by the manipulations of not only Bethany, but Tessa as well.
Bethany had knocked on her door several times after she returned, but Frances claimed a headache, which they both knew was a lie, but she simply wanted to be left in peace.
Today, she intended to do nothing more strenuous than read a book. She was not leaving the house no matter how much Bethany may insist, and she had no plans for entertainment, especially since the salon would have guests tomorrow.
