This made her surprise grow all the more. “Is there something wrong that you would leave so soon after attending?”
Why must there be so many questions from so many?
“I am a little fatigued,” was all he said. “But I thank you for your kind offer. I am sure I will become acquainted with your niece before long.”
“Oh, they are coming to join me again now!” Lady Kilthorn gestured to her left, but Jonathan bowed and, spinning on his heel, hurried away. It might perhaps have been seen as a little rude, but he could not abide the idea of being anywhere near Lady Susanna. At this juncture, he wanted to avoid her for as long as he could – until his heart was in a suitable state. If he met her now, he feared it would explode with all the affection he had tried to kill and bury for the last few months – and he simply could not have that.
This Season, he was not going to let himself even think about Lady Susanna. She had no hold over him any longer.
Or, at the very least, that was what he told himself.
3
“Good afternoon, Susanna!”
Susanna smiled and waved at Lady Ellen as she hurried along the street to where they were meeting. “Good afternoon, Ellen!”
“I see that your mother was more than contented to let you step out with me,” Lady Ellen said, looking over Susanna’s shoulder and seeing no chaperone there. “She was introduced to Lady Kilthorn at the ball, yes?”
With a nod, Susanna began to walk towards Hyde Park. “Yes, that is so. Your aunt was very kind indeed, offering to chaperone me whenever it was required. She stated it so very clearly and with such consideration that my mother was delighted to accept the offer.” She chuckled. “Which is why you now find me standing here without a chaperone and beside you!”
“I am glad to have you here,” Lady Ellen replied, as they stepped into Hyde Park. The afternoon sun was warm upon them, dappling through the lime trees that lined the gravel walks and casting long, shifting patterns across the path ahead. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh-cut grass and the distant sound of children laughing near the Serpentine. It was the sort of afternoon that ought to have lifted Susanna’s spirits, and she was grateful, at least, for the company. “My aunt is here also, but she has decided to walk a short distance behind us.”
Surprised, Susanna turned her head and looked over her shoulder, seeing Lady Kilthorn smiling at her. “I must have walked straight past her!”
“Do not be embarrassed.” Lady Ellen laughed at Susanna’s flush. “She did not want to interrupt our walk.” Her smile faded. “Will you tell me the truth about something, Susanna?
Knowing exactly what it was that Ellen wanted to ask, Susanna pressed her lips together. “You wish to ask me about what it was that troubled me so the night of the ball some two days ago.”
Her friend nodded. “Yes.”
“I do not know if I can,” Susanna responded, speaking slowly as she thought about what she was trying to say. “It is, as I am sure you have guessed, to do with Lord Lancashire.”
Lady Ellen searched her face. “I did think it was connected to him. You looked to be very upset upon seeing him. I did not know you were acquainted.”
We were more than acquainted.
“I – I was a fool,” Susanna responded, swallowing hard. “Last Season, Lord Lancashire and I were introduced. I thought nothing of it, thinking of him only as another gentleman of my acquaintance. But then, he began to – well, I thought – to seek me out.”
“Did your mother not notice his interest?”
Susanna shook her head. “It was very subtly done – his attentions, I mean. And my mother was just as distracted by Maude as she is this Season.” Her shoulders rounded. “I was a little confused at first, but there was one moment when he stole me away from the other gentlemen and ladies attending a soiree. It was only briefly, you understand, but it was significant enough to make an impression upon me.”
“But he did not ever ask to court you?” Lady Ellen asked, sounding surprised. “Even with all of these moments?”
Susanna shook her head. “He spoke to me one evening, telling me that he cared for me.” Her heart constricted, and her throat closed up. “More than that.” She could not get more words out; her whole body tensed against the tears that threatened.
“Oh, Susanna.” Ellen put one hand on Susanna’s arm. “He told you that his heart was affectionate towards you?”
She nodded, relieved that she was managing to keep the tears back.
“And I can imagine that you felt the same way,” Ellen finished for her, as Susanna took in a long, steadying breath, determined that she would not cry in the middle of Hyde Park. With so many other ladies and gentlemen of the ton walking through the park, she did not want any of them to see her crying. That would be sure to spread whispers.
“But nothing came of it?”
Susanna shook her head. “I cannot understand what happened.” Seeing Ellen’s eyes filled with confusion, she shook her head. “He promised me that he would go to speak with my father, but only once some matter was concluded. I do not know what it was.”
“But he spoke to you of that, at least. Perhaps it is that which has held you apart from each other?”
