The latter appeared, summoned by the butler’s announcement of Adam’s arrival. Not surprisingly, Lady Susanne wore an expression of disappointment. Unlike the last few times, however, her mother did not enter with her, which was fortunate but disconcerting.
“I did not expect to see you today, my lord.”
“I needed to speak with you, but I am surprised we are alone.”
“My mother is out. I have sent for my maid, and she will join us presently. Meanwhile, we can speak candidly.”
He swallowed. “Yes, that’s true.”
“Are you interested in courting me? More to the point, do you find me favorable above all other women?”
Adam ought to have expected the question, but he hadn’t. He thought he would spend time apologizing and soothing and smoothing everything over. Instead, the normally easy-going, unopinionated Lady Susanne had gone directly to the crux of the matter.
And he had to consider her question. In all the agonizing over Mrs. Malcolm — Alice — during the prior night, he had not given any thought to whether he could continue to keep company with the young lady who had been kind to him. Moreover, her mother was still his own mother’s friend. He must tread carefully.
“The length of your hesitation doesn’t bode well,” Lady Susanne said. “Simply because I don’t mind bending my likes to the gentleman with whom I keep company, and intend to do the same with the man I marry, it doesn’t mean that I am in all respects a doormat.”
“No, of course not,” he said.
What an awful thought, to be under someone’s foot in such a low manner.
“I am amiable, perhaps to a fault,” she continued, “because few things bother me and because my own enjoyments are easy to do in my personal time, such as perusing fashion plates and strolling the shops to search for the latest dress designs. Thus, I don’t push my own pursuits and pleasures upon others.”
“No,” he agreed, “you have not. You’ve been most accommodating.”
She nodded. “However, I am unwilling to be with a man who doesn’t favor me above all others.”
Nor should she.His respect for her had grown immensely.
“I understand,” Adam said.
“Even while courting,” she added. “It should be apparent to both of us very swiftly if we wish for the other to be in our future. I was certainly content to have you as my suitor, then my fiancé, and finally my husband. I would forsake all others and not allow another to escort me around Bath. In return, I would expect you to want me exclusively and not to have eyes for my chaperone.”
Her voice had raised in pitch, and he was glad the maid hadn’t yet joined them.
“You have every right to that expectation,” he said, knowing he could not meet it. “Unfortunately, my attachment has not grown beyond admiration for you as the daughter of my mother’s friend.”
“I understand.” She considered a moment. “Then I am glad to have seen what I saw last night so as not to be misled into thinking otherwise, nor do we need to waste any more time with one another.”
Adam was feeling as small as a garden slug. “I am sorry. I never meant to mislead you, nor do I feel any time we spent to have been wasted, for I truly enjoyed it.”
She nodded. “Now that we have clarified what is and is not between us, perhaps we should talk about Mrs. Malcolm.”
“What about Mrs. Malcolm?” came Lady Beasley’s voice through the open doorway. She entered and looked around. “Why are you two alone together?”
Lady Susanne opened and closed her mouth, and Adam wanted to bellow in frustration.Was he to take the blame for yet another indiscretion, this time not of his own making?
“Not to worry, Mother,” Lady Susanne said before he could begin to explain. “Mrs. Malcolm was here just a moment ago.”
Adam was startled by her lie but grateful.
“Why would she leave the two of you in what could be considered a compromising position?” Lady Beasley asked, sounding annoyed.
Lady Susanne looked at him, her soft brown eyes widening. He racked his brain, then said the only thing he could think of.
“She went to fetch a book for me. Mrs. Malcolm has a copy of... of...Northanger Abbey, and kindly offered to lend it to me.”
Lady Beasley appeared surprised. “I didn’t realize gentlemen had an interest in Miss Austen’s novels.”
