With that, Arthur kissed her hand one last time, and with a charming smile, gave her a nudge toward the door. After sending her family a smile and a wave, she headed out of the room, feeling more at peace than she’d felt in years because embracing her truth had truly set her free at last.
CHAPTER
Thirty-Two
Even though a month had passed since Eunice had returned to New York, Arthur had yet to share a meaningful conversation with her, what with how he’d stayed behind in Montana to work out terms with Douglas regarding Mason Mines.
He’d only returned to New York City three days before, anxious to get home because he knew it was past time to get matters settled with Eunice—his incomparable, and a lady he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And while he understood why she’d wanted to delay speaking with him about their relationship or speaking about the kiss they’d shared, he’d not needed any time at all to consider the matter.
Yes, she’d obviously wanted him to know that she had no interest in reigning at his side in the midst of society, but what she didn’t know is that a place in society held little appeal to him these days, not if it meant Eunice wouldn’t be in his life.
However, during the month they’d been apart, he’d had a lot of time to ponder the matter and was actually thankful she’d asked for their conversation to be delayed because Eunice was a romantic at heart, and romantics deserved romantic gestures that would leave them breathless and anticipating a lifetime of romance ahead of them.
If he would have blurted out his affection for her at Mason Manor, it would not have been a spectacular gesture, which is exactly why he’d brought his grandfather into his confidence, Lloyd only too happy to help him set up what he hoped would leave Eunice breathless as well as hoping it would leave her, at the very least, realizing she held Arthur in some affection.
“Your mother told me to tell you she expects you in the receiving line on time tonight,” Lloyd said, striding into the suite of rooms Arthur used at his parents’ house whenever he was in the city.
“I see you’ve abandoned your cane.”
Lloyd smiled. “Saw the doctor today. He says I’m fit as a fiddle.”
“But you will be staying far removed from Wyatt, right?”
Lloyd’s face fell. “I was hoping to take him for a canter around Central Park tomorrow. Hazel has purchased a delightful mare, and she asked me to accompany her.”
“You’re not taking Wyatt. But dare I hope things are progressing well with the only woman you’ve been squiring around town of late?”
“She refuses to marry me.”
“You asked her to marry you?”
“I did, just last week. She immediately turned me down, telling me she’s now a completely independent woman and she intends on remaining that way.”
“And you’re fine accepting that decision?”
“For now.” Lloyd smiled. “I understand her point. Hazel was kept in line for most of her life by her brothers, and now she’s free to do as she pleases. She’s already purchased a charming home in the city and has settled Doris and Alice into that home with her, both of whom were perfectly willing to turn over their candy shop to Howard to manage. Hazel has decided her ‘girls,’ as she calls them, are going to take New York by storm, even at their advanced ages. They’re also planning a trip to Paris because Hazel is convinced that city is home to dashing gentlemen.” His smile widened. “I have a sneaking suspicion, though, given how charming Doris and Alice are, they might ruin Hazel’s plans and find gentlementhey can love this Season in New York. I’m still hoping a trip to Paris will be in order because Hazel invited me to tag along with them. It is known as the city of love, and it could very well turn into the city where Hazel changes her mind about marriage.”
“I wouldn’t get my hopes up about that, Grandfather,” Chase said, strolling into the room as he attempted to tie his tie, his hair still a bit damp from the bath. “Hazel seems perfectly content to remain independent, although it has been remarked upon by more than a few of your widow friends that she might be responsible for reforming you. Rumor has it that those widows are highly amused that she seems to be leading you a merry chase.”
“Indeed she is,” Lloyd said. “And truth be told, I’m rather relieved the widows aren’t looking at me so unfavorably these days. I was concerned I might never be welcomed back into the midst of the elite, or that if I did travel in society, I’d be placing my life at risk during every luncheon I attended.”
“Then thank goodness Hazel decided to come to New York,” Arthur said before he turned to Chase. “You’re cutting it close this evening, and Mother’s not going to be happy about the damp state of your hair.”
“I’ve already had a lecture from Mother about my hair, Arthur, but I made it home before the ball started.” Chase continued to fiddle unsuccessfully with his tie. “I couldn’t very well have left poor Mrs. Collins weeping into a handkerchief at the agency. It took me three cups of tea to get her settled down, although I suppose, in all fairness, I should give the credit for that to Eunice.” He grinned. “She realized I was faltering and stepped in, using her standard no-nonsense approach to get Mrs. Collins’s weeping under control. And by the way, Eunice will be late.”
“What?”
“Again, Mrs. Collins was in a state. Eunice was going to accompany her home, then return to the boardinghouse to get dressed. I believe Phillip was meeting her there, so he’ll have her dressed and presented in a timely fashion.” Chase gave up on his tie and walked over to Lloyd, who immediately began tying it for him.
“I’m sure you’re right about Phillip getting her here in a timely fashion,” Lloyd said. “I’ve seen the creation Phillip made for Eunice, and since Phillip’s attending our ball, there’s little doubt he’ll not want Eunice to arrive too late, not when he wants society to be given the pleasure of watching her in his gorgeous dress for as many hours as possible.”
“He’s going to be disappointed, then, because I have a plan.”
“One you’ve been very stingy with disclosing,” Chase grouched. “But even with Eunice arriving late, I say you’re fortunate she’s arriving at all.”
“She wouldn’t have missed a ball we’re hosting in honor of her parents after they renewed their vows.” Arthur smiled. “Mother’s thrilled that every invitation we sent out was accepted, but I don’t know why she thought anyone would decline to attend what’s certainly going to be considered one of the events of the Season. Society is still all agog over what’s being called the love story of the decade. It was quite clever of Daphne to write a lovely tale she gave to the newspapers to introduce Georgette to society. She really is a gifted storyteller, and I have to admit I got a little teary-eyed reading what is only a slightly fictitious tale about how Georgette and Douglas fell in love in their youth but were tragically parted due to a misunderstanding with James, which Daphne handled incredibly vaguely. The romantic ending, of course, is what made the story—that of them being unexpectedly reunited, realizing neither of them had sought out the expected annulment because they were too distraught to do so and are now free to embrace their love for each other forever.”
Chase grinned. “It was quite the story and will all but guarantee that Georgette’s paintings will fly off the wall when she opens the Howland Art Gallery next year.”
