“Thank goodness,” Lord Windham breathed as soon as they were left alone.
“What?” Lavinia asked as she turned to look up and into his deep blue eyes.
“I am relieved.” He raised his free hand and mimed wiping a bit of perspiration from his brow. “I have been wishing to speak toyou in private, Miss Fitzroy, but I did not know how to get you alone.”
Her brow furrowed. “I do not know why you should wish for a private audience with me, Lord Windham. But if there is something on your mind, I would ask you to share it with me.”
“Very well.” He gulped, and she saw a glimpse of the man he had been yesterday. Nervous. Perhaps a bit fearful. But eager to please. “After our paths crossed last night, I went to the library to retrieve a book. When I returned to the room where I’d left you, I found… I found…” He faltered.
Lavinia did not blame him for stumbling over his words. She knew he meant to ask her about the Duke and what had happened when she had walked into that room, but he also was not keen on offending her.
She had been gripping his elbow, and now she took the opportunity to give it a tight squeeze. “Oh, My Lord,” she murmured. “I must tell you that my book remains lost in that room.”
“It does?” His eyebrows rose faintly in surprise.
“I went in, just as you saw, but as soon as the door closed behind me, I was plunged into darkness.” Lavinia widened her eyes to indicate she was frightened. “I tried to squint but could see nothing. My hands fumbled as I searched for a candleholder, but I did not find one of those either.”
His right eyebrow quirked even higher as his astonishment turned into disbelief. “You did not encounter the Duke of Pemberton then?”
Lavinia released his elbow so she could lift both hands and press them to her chest. “Heavens, no!” she gasped. “Should I have met with him?”
Lord Windham tilted his head to the side and regarded her curiously. “That was the Duke of Pemberton’s room,” he said slowly. “If you went inside, as I saw you do, you should have awakened him and?—”
“Ha!” Lavinia let out a loud laugh. “I am glad I did not wake the Duke, then. I can only imagine the fright I would have given him.”
“Hmm… Yes, of course.”
Lavinia could not tell from his expression if her explanation had placated him, but she was saved from the embarrassment of adding another fib to her tale when her mother and Mr. Norton rejoined them.
“Come along, dearest.” Her mother nodded politely at Mr. Norton and Lord Windham, but then she jerked her chin, indicating that she was done speaking with the gentlemen and wished for Lavinia to walk with her.
Lavinia did not hesitate. She hastily took her leave of the gentlemen, then raced to her mother’s side.
“Thank you, Mama,” she whispered as they put some distance between them and the men.
“I could see that you were floundering,” her mother replied in an airy tone. “But that is to be expected. It has been quite some time since you conversed with so many fine gentlemen, and I imagine your skills could use a bit of sharpening. Until you feel ready, it would be best to spend just a few moments in anyone’s company before leaving them wanting more.”
Lavinia could not believe what she was hearing. She had been stunned when her mother brought up the idea of marriage, but now it seemed that her thoughts were not fleeting. Her mother wanted her to converse with gentlemen, flirt even, and to what end? So she might catch herself a husband?
They walked towards the other side of the field, where a familiar pair caught their attention.
“Henrietta!” her mother exclaimed. It was evident that she was excited to see her dearest friend.
The Dowager Duchess of Pemberton greeted her with a wide grin. Standing behind her was Madeline, and Lavinia grinned at her. They sidestepped their mothers easily, then Lavinia grabbed her friend’s hand and tugged at it.
“We must get away from our mothers,” she whispered. “We are bound to be caught in peril if we don’t escape now.”
She led Madeline towards the less crowded part of the garden.
Most others were standing near the flowerbeds, admiring the array of posies, so Lavinia led Madeline toward the mouth of the maze. Tall hedges rose almost twelve feet high in front of them, allowing Lavinia to feel as if they were shaded and able to escape from prying eyes and listening ears.
“I do not understand this sudden caution of yours, Lavinia. What is with the worry? Our mamas never nag us,” Madeline reminded her.
Lavinia sighed. “But it is different now, Madeline. Don’t you see the worrying abundance of bachelors here?” she pointed out, her eyes darting around the garden. “I believe our mothers are plotting something.”
“But don’t you think you are worrying a bit too much?” Madeline asked. “My mama has not so much as mentioned a desire to see me wed and?—”
“Mine has,” Lavinia hissed. She gave her friend a desperate look. “She has mentioned marriage twice…” She screwed up her lips and recounted the conversations she had with her mother over the last several days. “Three or four times, even. She wants me to marry someone soon, and I fear… I fear…”
