“Hmm.” Thomas took a sip as he considered his options. “I hope to ask if she will wait for me before I return to America.”
“That is an excellent idea.”
“I wish I had more time with her so that I knew her feelings on the matter.”
Garland tapped the table. “That I can grant you. Somehow, I found myself agreeing to help with items they are making for the workhouse children to help their holiday be more memorable. We are meeting tomorrow at Lord and Lady Bolton’s residence. Miss Melbourne will be there, along with the other ladies. I can think of no one who would be of more assistance than you.”
Thomas grinned. “Perfect. What time should I arrive?”
The following afternoon, Frances and her mother arrived at the Earl and Countess of Bolton’s residence in Mayfair, where the league members and as many other people as they could gather were to work on gifts for the children at the workhouse.
Phoebe had offered to host the event and provide tea to make it a celebratory affair filled with fun and comradery. Her mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law would be joining them, but the only person Frances could think to bring was her mother.
Her friends, who were all members of the literary league, were already coming. She wished she would’ve mentioned the gathering to Thomas when he’d called, but she couldn’t imagine finding the courage to ask him.
Given how she’d acted at the bookshop, she had a long way to go before she could hope for him to be interested in her. His visit to her home had gone better but was a far cry from the changes she wanted in herself.
She lifted her chin, more determined than ever. Today would be another opportunity for her to work on her shyness since a few gentlemen would be assisting them. She could practice speaking like a normal person without staring at the floor or mumbling through a conversation.
There had to be a way to see Thomas again before the ball. She’d already arranged for those who were available to gather greenery to help decorate. Perhaps she could invite Thomas.
One thing at a time, she reminded herself. Today was about making gifts for the children. The league had agreed they wanted to do something special for the boys and girls, so they knew they mattered. Just because the children were in the workhouse didn’t mean they’d been forgotten, especially not at this special time of year.
She need only remember their faces for her heart to go out to them. The gathering to make gifts would be fun, not to mention meaningful.
Foster, the Boltons’ longtime butler, answered the door and greeted her and her mother with a bow and a smile. “Good afternoon, ladies. The others have gathered in the dining room.”
He led the way down the hall to the large room where Phoebe, her husband, and several other members of the league were visiting while they waited for everyone to arrive.
The table was covered with the supplies they’d need, which Tibby and Phoebe had purchased. They’d insisted on taking care of it since Frances was doing so much of the planning for the ball.
“I’m so pleased you’re here.” Phoebe walked over to greet them. “Mrs. Melbourne, thank you so much for helping us.”
“The pleasure is mine.” Her mother had always liked Phoebe and thought it wonderful that one of Frances’ dear friends was a countess.
Frances knew her mother hoped she’d marry a titled lord but thought by now, she’d given up on that dream and would be pleased if Frances married at all.
But there was only one person Frances would consider marrying—Thomas. Her heart squeezed at the thought.
Tibby and her husband, Captain Michael Shaw, joined them and exchanged pleasantries. Or rather, Frances’ mother did.
Frances released a quiet breath as she remembered her promise to herself. If she wanted to put her shyness behind her, she had to learn to speak with gentlemen, and none was safer than her friend’s husband.
“How is the book coming along?” Frances asked the handsome captain, who’d been friends with Lady Tabitha, or Tibby as her friends called her, since childhood.
He smiled as he glanced at Tibby. “It is going very well. I’m nearing the end.”
After being in the military for years, he’d sold his commission and was now writing a mystery novel, much to the league’s delight.
“We can’t wait to read it,” Frances said. “And I hope there are more to come.”
Tibby shared a smile with her husband. “I can attest that ideas for another have already been stirring.”
“They have, indeed,” he agreed with a laugh.
A pang of envy struck Frances as she watched the pair, their love and respect for each other clear. Tibby’s attempt at the For Better or Worse agenda had been rocky at times, much like the other ladies who’d completed theirs, but it was clear she’d found her perfect match.
The thought had Frances wondering if she might have a chance to help Thomas see her as more than an acquaintance. Yet the thought of making a bold move with him was enough to cause her to stare at the floor.
