“But even if that’s true, I’m not sure Fletcher wanting to take me to the opera is a better reason to marry than Rotherfeld being rich and handsome.”
“Fair,” said Grace.
“But Fletcher cares for Louisa,” said Adele. “They may not be in love now, but they could fall in love and be happy.”
“The two of you seemed awkward at dinner the other night, and I suppose I know why now. Have you spoken since The Kiss?” asked Grace.
“No, not really. I was cross with him. I still am.”
“Well, let me put it this way,” said Grace. “If it were solely up to you, would you rather marry Rotherfeld, or would you rather marry Fletcher?”
“Fletcher.” His name flew out of her mouth without her making a conscious thought, but she realized she didn’t have to think about it. Given a choice between Daniel and Fletcher, especially after that kiss, her choice would be Fletcher. If he actually wanted her, that was.
“Then I think you should have a frank conversation with Fletcher and find out if he feels the same. Ask him if he truly wants to marry you or if he was just offering as a worst-case-scenario.”
“But if he does want to marry me, what of Rotherfeld?” Would they ever recover from the scandal? Would Daniel grow to hate her?
“He’s a very good-looking man,” said Adele. “I expect he’ll have no trouble finding another wife. And he is coming this way so we should find a far less interesting topic of conversation. Needlepoint, say.”
Louisa laughed. What a predicament she found herself in now.
Daniel approached their little group with a smiled. “Your Grace. My lady. It is agreeable to see you again.”
“Thank you,” said Adele, whose manners were more polished than Grace’s. “Lovely to see you as well.”
“Yes, nice to see you,” said Grace. “We shall return your fiancée to you now.”
“Much obliged. Will we see you at the Atherton ball a few days hence?”
Grace and Adele glanced at each other. “I suppose you will,” said Grace. “I had quite forgotten about it, to be honest. My family keeps robbing me of my sleep and it is making me feel empty-headed, you see. My son has grown old enough to sleep through the night, or so the doctor tells me, but Dafydd does not seem to know that.”
Daniel tilted his head like he didn’t understand a word she’d just said.
“Swynford and I will be there,” Adele said, nodding at Daniel. “Let me take the countess home now so she can sleep properly.”
After they left, and Louisa and Daniel turned to walk back toward Louisa’s home, Daniel said, “What was that about?”
“Grace told me once that she thought becoming a mother had robbed her of some of her faculties. She suspects it is because she does not sleep as well anymore. She has taken an…unorthodox approach to child-rearing in that she has a nanny but does not rely on her. So her son sleeps in an adjacent room and Grace wakes up when he does.”
“What does Caernarfon think of this?”
Louisa fought back a physical reaction. Why should Caernarfon get a say? Instead, she said, “He allows it, I suppose, because he loves his family.”
“Hmm.”
“Did I know we were attending the Atherton ball?” Louisa asked.
“Did I not invite you? I plan to attend because a mate of mine from my Cambridge days will be in town, and I would be honored if you’d accompany me.”
Louisa plastered a smile on her face. “Then I shall be there.”
* * *
It was nearly impossible to get a single woman to whom one was not engaged alone, especially once her parents began to suspect one’s motives.
Two notes that Fletcher had sent to Louisa had been thwarted by her mother, who’d curtly told him Louisa was not available, but the third—which Fletcher hired a boy to deliver directly into Louisa’s hand—was returned with a note from Louisa saying the best she could do was the Atherton ball.
It was the opposite of his request, which had been to speak to her in private.
