“A Season?” he asked as if he needed clarification.
“Yes. For them, not me because I’m too old, but I will be present.”
Seth stepped away and rubbed the back of his neck. It was almost as if he were distressed at the very idea of her being in London.
“So, you see, we will not be parted for so long,” she offered hopefully.
Seth turned his back and walked away. “You will not see me there.”
“Of course I will. That is where you live.”
“I rarely attend the entertainments, and never balls, so it is unlikely we will cross paths.”
Frances frowned. “You will call on me there.”
Seth next drew in a deep breath and straightened his spine before he turned to face her. “No, Franny, I will not.”
She did not understand. “I was looking forward to dancing with you.”
“If we encounter the other in public, I will not acknowledge you.”
A slap would have stung less. “You are embarrassed of our acquaintance.” She had not thought him so cruel. He claimed to love her, but that was not possible if he was going to deny her.
“That is not it. If circumstances were different…”
Frances’ stomach tightened. “I do not understand. What has changed?”
“Nothing has changed Frances. But I have goals and dreams and have a certain reputation that does not allow me to dance with debutantes at balls.”
It was not possible that Seth had a poor reputation. “I am not a debutante, nor a young miss,” she reminded him.
“While I have friendship and respect among the gentlemen, the same is not shared by the women and your association with me would only harm you.”
“You are my dearest friend,” she reminded him and Seth had claimed her to be his. He also claimed to love her so none of what he was saying made any sense. She had known him these past ten years and he was a kind and thoughtful gentleman.
“We must never speak again. I will not have you harmed by my reputation.”
“Does this mean that you still have no intention of marrying or is it just me that you reject?” At fifteen, he said that he would never wed, but she thought those were words of a boy that would change as he matured, especially after he claimed to love her.
“That decision has never been altered.”
Her heart and hope for a future shattered. Why tell her that he loved her, and kiss her in such a delicious manner if he never had any intention of a future?
“Find someone who will love you and be brave enough to marry you, Franny. You will do well because you have beauty and you are kind.”
He’d never told her that she was beautiful before.
“Gentlemen will notice and I am certain you will find your heart’s desire.”
Except Seth was her heart’s desire, but she’d not humiliate herself by begging him to call on her. He clearly did not care for her as much as he had claimed.
“It does not matter what any gentlemen may think, Seth. I have no dowry,” she reminded him.
“The only gentlemen who will be concerned with such are those in need of an heiress. Most will likely overlook your lack of funds.”
“This is our end?” It couldn’t be. Not after everything that they'd shared.
“I must return to London and you must return to your uncle. It is best that we part now without further association.”
