“As will I,” Frances also answered, not certain if she wanted to attend a ball. Other than the masquerade she had attended, Frances rarely enjoyed herself, unless there was a card room. If so, then she would give it consideration and maybe gain more clientele for Athena’s Salon.
“I insist that you both be present, and together,” the woman said. “I will see you then.”
“Ah, now I understand,” Seth said as Lady Perrington departed.
“What do you understand?” Frances asked.
“She loves to gossip and be the first to know anything. You have been seen in my presence and I have recently returned to Society. She wants to be the first to have us as guests, together.”
Frances nearly groaned. “I do not wish to be put on display by meddling matrons.”
Seth chuckled and offered his arm. “Instead, consider it an opportunity for us to share another waltz.”
Chapter Eighteen
Even though he had expected to be turned away, Seth still called on Frances in the afternoon on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and he accepted that she was resting from her duties that kept her busy to the early morning hours at Athena’s Salon. Therefore, each afternoon he returned home and put his mind to clearing the desk in the library.
It also took much longer than he had anticipated as he realized that not only were there books to review and update, but also several missives that required his attention. He had assumed they were simply invitations to be ignored since he had not intended on attending another ball. The one Lady Heath held had not only been a disappointment but a bore, and he assumed that the ones held by those in Society would be no different.
However, he did come across the one from Lady Perrington and set it aside as he would be in attendance, and with Frances on his arm.
The rest, he nearly tossed, but then reconsidered as he did not know what the future held and perhaps, he might just enjoy being in Society with Frances.
In the evenings, he attended to The Emerald Garter as he was at a loss with Frances not available to him. However, that did not mean that she was not constantly on his mind. So often he shook his head over how foolish he had been five years ago.
Yes, he had his reasons, much of it fueled by fear, but it had still been the wrong decision. He should have found her at the very first function, danced with her, then courted her, then married. They may have even become parents by now.
Except, it is also likely he would have set aside his dreams for The Emerald Garter because he had wanted to be financially independent of his father. Seth would not have taken such a risk had Frances been in his life.
Seth pushed his thoughts aside, nothing could be done about his decisions so long ago, but what he did going forward mattered very much.
As he was about to leave to call on Frances, he was stopped when a missive arrived from his older brother, Wesley, Marquess Epworth.
He almost dismissed it because there were already four letters on his desk from his father that he had yet to answer.
Seth held his brother’s letter for but a moment then tossed it on top of the others and strode from the room only to stop and return to his desk. He wanted to be able to tell Frances that he had cleaned his desk, opened every missive and invitation, and balanced his books, which he could not do if he did not read his brother’s letter.
Besides, this was from Wesley, not his father and ill-ease settled into the pit of his stomach. His father had been demanding that he return home for an important discussion. What if he was ill, or getting too old to continue with matters that were required at the estate? He was only two and fifty and their grandfather had worked in the caves…it was in his fiftieth year that his grandfather had decided he was too old to haul crates from boats or load wagons and took to managing matters from the desk in his library overlooking the coast.
He tore the seal and unfolded the parchment.
Seth,
As you have ignored father’s missives, I am instructing you to return to Forester Park by Monday, October 6th. Decisions need to be made and there will be a family gathering where you are expected to be in attendance. Also, if it would be not too difficult, bring our sister, Blythe, with you.
Wesley
Seth frowned. What was so urgent and why didn’t his brother write of the decisions that needed to be addressed? His father had not given any indication of why he was needed at home either, which only caused further concern because if it was serious, would they not write it in a letter? Unless, if it was of a very private nature, they may not want to risk anyone accidentally reading the letter.
October sixth was in a fortnight.
As much as Seth did not want to return to Laswell right now, he really had no choice.
With a sigh, he rose from his desk and strode to the door to call on Frances as that was the only plan he had for today but as he stepped into the entry he heard a small cry and turned to find Blythe grasping the balustrade and sitting on a step. Her face was a mask of pain and he rushed forward.
“What happened?”
“I slipped,” she winced.
