“Perhaps. I thought I was doing well, but that was a reminder of how much of a problem my shyness is.” She shook her head, still discouraged by her behavior.
“You are doing well,” Harriet insisted. “You’ve pushed yourself more than ever before. Now that you know why the situation the other day bothered you, you’ll be able to manage it differently if it happens again.”
“Hmm. We shall see.” Frances hoped so. “Enough about me. Let us speak of you.” She smiled as a delicate shade of pink colored Harriet’s cheeks. “How are things progressing with Viscount Garland?”
“Oh, Frances.” Harriet pressed her hand to her chest, blinking rapidly.
Alarm swept over Frances, and she halted to stare at her friend. “What is it?”
“I thought I cared for him before. But now—” She shook her head as if unable to explain it.
Frances grinned as she realized there was no cause for concern.
“His kindness and understanding appear to be limitless.” Harriet’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “Now I fear I am truly head over heels in love with him.”
“That’s wonderful. Isn’t it?” she asked when Harriet’s expression didn’t change.
“But what will I do if he proposes again?”
“Again?” Frances grabbed her friend’s hand. “You refused him the first time?”
“I wasn’t ready, and he understood. But now I think I am, and I think he knows that, too.” She briefly closed her eyes. “I realize I’m not making any sense.”
“Actually, you are.” Frances chuckled. “It sounds as if you’ll soon be planning a wedding.”
“I can hardly believe that he accepts me for who I am, despite the past.” Harriet’s blue eyes held Frances’ with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. “You have to believe that if this can happen to me, it can to you as well.”
Frances stilled as she mulled over the possibility. The thought was enough to have her drawing a deep breath. “I confess that my regard for Thomas has grown. But he will soon return to America.”
“Surely not forever.” The two continued forward again. “If you think your feelings are true, perhaps there is a way to make that clear to Mr. Sinclair. A bold move of sorts.”
“You have given me much to think about.” She considered it as they walked. They’d already shared a kiss, but was that enough to make it clear how she felt? “There is one additional complication.”
“What is that?”
“My father has decided to increase my dowry.”
“Oh.” Harriet’s brow furrowed for a moment. “But that could prove to be good news. That might encourage Mr. Sinclair to move forward.”
“Along with half the men in London in search of an heiress.”
“Maybe not many will know.”
“I was in a bookshop yesterday, speaking with Thomas, when Viscount Merriweather approached.”
“He is a friendly sort.” Though Harriet’s expression suggested she wasn’t certain that was true.
“He offered to help me find a book.”
The outrage on Harriet’s face had Frances smiling in response. “What was the last book he read? As if he would have any useful ideas in that department.”
“My thoughts exactly. But he’d obviously heard about my dowry and made the effort to speak with me. Can you imagine how the ball will go?” She shuddered at the idea. “I’ll be so embarrassed at the attention that I won’t be able to speak with anyone, including Thomas.”
“I see your point.” Harriet held Frances’ gaze. “Then it’s even more important that you act before the ball. That way, if others ask you to dance and attempt to speak to you, Mr. Sinclair won’t be discouraged.”
Frances drew a deep breath. “You’re right.” Yet she had no idea what she could do or how to go about it. “Do you have any suggestions?”
Harriet gestured toward a wrapped package in a nearby window display. “It is the Christmas season. Perhaps you’ll find some mistletoe when he is near.”
