He turned at my congratulations and smiled at me, a mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. “Thank you for everything, Miss Atherton. You’ve been a great help to my wife this season and a great comfort.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his outrageous flattery. We both knew that Caroline never stood a chance once he’d decided to charm her. “I’m just glad that you didn’t ruin her.”
He laughed, as did Caroline.
“Thanks to you, he didn’t,” Caroline said. “I wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t come out into the garden that first night.”
She turned and looked at her husband. “Perhaps Kendrick would have escaped the matrimonial noose.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips, dropping a kiss in the middle of her palm. “I never stood a chance.”
My heart warmed at the obvious love between them. And I couldn’t deny that despite being happy for them, I felt a spark of jealousy.
I couldn’t help but wonder what Lord Clifton was doing right now. I’d been unable to keep from watching him while we were at the chapel. Fortunately, we were seated further back, and he hadn’t noticed. But once we’d arrived at Kendrick’s townhouse, I’d been careful to avoid looking at him. Aunt Matilda had been watching my every move, and for some reason, it seemed very important that she not know Lord Clifton and I had a previous acquaintance.
She was already very unhappy about the fact that the one woman with whom I’d managed to strike up a friendship had married one of the Legendary Lords. I didn’t want to know what she would do if she knew about my mother’s friendship with Lord Clifton’s mother.
Moreland and Victoria joined us then, and Victoria hugged me. We’d met briefly at the beginning of the season, but then Victoria had all but disappeared from the social scene. Now that both she and Caroline were married to Legends, I imagined they’d grow close.
I couldn’t help but feel frumpy and unattractive next to these two beautiful women. I didn’t think I was ugly, but the contraption Aunt Matilda had chosen for me to wear today was beyond embarrassing.
“Have you met the other Legends?” Victoria asked. “Let me introduce my husband, Lord Moreland. Dear, this is Miss Diana Atherton.”
I dipped into a curtsy while he bowed.
“We haven’t been formally introduced, but it’s a pleasure,” he said. “Kendrick speaks fondly of you.”
I couldn’t help smiling. “Surely not. I was under the impression he thought I was a nuisance.”
“Only in the best way,” Kendrick said.
We all laughed at that.
“She’s known Clifton for years,” Caroline said.
“Really?” Victoria turned to scan the room. “How?”
“Our mothers were friends,” I said. “But it’s been a few years since we’ve spoken. I’m sure he doesn’t remember me.”
“He remembers you,” Kendrick said.
That had my stomach doing a little flip. They’d spoken about me.
“And,” Caroline added with a wink, “she thinks Fairfax is very attractive.”
Victoria laughed. “So does every other woman, both married and unmarried. I imagine every young woman of the ton would love to be here right now.”
The conversation turned to Kendrick and Caroline’s plans for their wedding trip. Moreland and Victoria had just returned from theirs. This year, given the scandalous happenings in parliament with the new king trying to divorce his wife before their coronation, very few members of the ton were leaving London. But it seemed that the Legends normally spent the majority of the year in town.
Kendrick leaned down to kiss Caroline’s cheek, and the two stared at one another. Another pang of longing speared through me. I was never going to have a relationship like that.
Who was I trying to deceive? Given my hideous wardrobe, it was unlikely I’d attract any suitor. The only men who’d paid me any attention this season had done so only because of my friendship with Caroline. Now that she was married, they’d have no reason to speak to me.
Perhaps later, after I reached my age of majority and came into my inheritance, I could stop wearing these hideous dresses. I’d only be twenty-one and could still attract someone. At the very least, my wealth would interest more than a few. Even if it wasn’t a love match, it would be something. I might even have choices.
“Thank you again for inviting me,” I said. “My aunt mentioned that we’ll be leaving soon.”
Caroline’s smile was tight as she gave me another hug. “I will go out of my way to ensure she doesn’t hide you away,” she said, her voice low.
