“It was only an hour. Really James, we did have more to talk about besides you.”
“I don’t appreciate your levity.”
“No, I don’t suppose you do. I apologize.” She settled onto the settee.
“How did she look?” He steeled himself to hear that she was as vibrant as ever.
His aunt shook her head. “When we arrived, she was quite stiff and unhappy. As Elsbeth said, she looked like a ghost.”
At the mention of his cousin, he glanced toward the open doorway. “Will Elsbeth be joining us? I’d like her insight as well.”
“No, she has a ball to attend tonight, so she has gone to rest, which we both should do as well.”
Of course. He’d forgotten about the ball, his mind focused only on seeing Joanna. He hated the feeling that the longer it took, the less likely she would be willing to listen. It had already been over a fortnight. “Were you able to mention anything to help my cause?”
His aunt grinned. “Oh, yes. My daughter is quite ingenious. I like to think that she is much like me. She talked about how excited she was that Eleanor’s and Dorothea’s mothers had changed their minds and were allowing them to attend Lady Joanna’s school. She innocently asked if she might know anyone else who would be attending.”
Despite his mood, he gave her a crooked grin. “I think I have been underestimating my cousin.”
“I know you have.” The pride on his aunt’s face reminded him of his mother’s when he’d recited his alphabet to her. Ever since the afternoon in his library when he’d forced himself to remember events from when they were a happy family, snippets of memories would surface at the oddest times.
“And did Lady Joanna mention the other two women?”
“She did. Of course, then we began to talk about the school. She has such wonderful plans. She already has construction started on Silver Meadows. I admit we talked at length about the school. She asked us about coming up with some possible names.”
As pleased as he was that she continued to move forward with her plans, he wanted some hint that she’d be open to talking to him. “Did you mention Lady Caroline?”
“I did. I asked her if she had heard Lady Caroline was betrothed to the Earl of Montrose. She hadn’t and was quite surprised. From what I gathered, she hasn’t been attending any social events.” His aunt paused as if choosing her words carefully. “She made it sound as if she has been so busy with her plans for the school that she hasn’t had time for society, but I think she’s hiding.”
That got his attention. “Hiding? Hiding from what?”
“You, maybe? There was a brittleness about her that concerned me. The only time it left was when we discussed her plans. My opinion is that her heart is broken, and she’s trying to heal.”
His stomach tightened at the thought of Joanna in such a condition.
“Elsbeth saw it too and feels responsible. Poor dear was almost in tears on the way home.”
He shook his head. “It is not Elsbeth’s fault. It’s mine. I’m the one whose actions belied my words.” Now, if he could just get her to see him.
“That may be true, but it won’t assuage Elsbeth’s guilt. I think that’s only part of it.”
“What do you mean?” He studied his aunt as she sighed. Something obviously troubled her.
“For all Elsbeth’s intelligence, I fear that her coming out has not done her well. She is too easily flattered by all the attention and now she is questioning her feelings for Lord Mabry.”
Surprised, he moved closer, taking the chair opposite her. “I thought you preferred that she not settle on Lord Mabry.”
“That’s correct, but only if it’s because she truly does not have feelings for him. Now, with all the young men paying attention to her, I don’t think she knows what she feels. She may no longer be interested in Lord Mabry simply because she’s known him the longest and the others are like…they’re like a shop full of new hats.”
He understood what she meant, having seen the effects of Elsbeth’s entrance into society. She’d not only charmed half the eligible bachelors, but the matriarchs of thetonas well. “Then we must do our best to guide her.” Though he felt ill equipped to guide his young cousin after the failed results of his own pursuit.
“Yes, well, perhaps I’ll tackle that on my own as you have your own tangle to unravel. What do you plan to do? Accepting every invitation as you have been, won’t put you in her company if she isn’t going out. And if she refuses to see you at home, I’m not sure what your options are.”
He didn’t either, but he’d think of something. Now at least, she knew she had her students back and that he had no interest in Lady Caroline. He could write her a letter, but that was a last resort. If she was still hurt and angry at him, she might not read it, and he’d never know. He wasn’t quite desperate enough to hire a Bow Street runner to follow her so he could arrive wherever she went, especially if she wasn’t leaving her house. “Perhaps if I call on her daily, she’ll finally see me.”
Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”
“No, at least not yet. Maybe I could give a lecture at the Royal Institution.”
