Offering up his arm, he turned to lead Miss Hutton onto the dance floor, but paused by Marian to quickly whisper, “I shall talk to Mr. Orton when I have a moment.”
Marian nodded, though George was gone before he saw it.
Chapter 3
Love made fools of everyone, and never was it truer than at that moment, for Marian’s thoughts sped through the past few minutes, grasping onto every hint and sign that George’s feelings ran deeper than friendship. Surely the fact that he lost himself so often in her conversation was significant. And then there were all the little tender moments they shared. The compliments. The smiles. George had all the appearance of craving her company as surely as she did his. That meant something, didn’t it?
Men were visual creatures, and Marian was not foolish enough to think she would inspire such adoring sentiments at first sight. But it could grow in barren ground if nurtured by friendship. Surely their mutual affection could overcome outward deficiencies. Couldn’t it?
Heart thumping erratically, Marian wrung her hands together as she watched George lead his partner onto the dance floor. As much as she knew staring at him like a Bedlamite might stir up gossip, Marian couldn’t turn her gaze from him. Though his hands were otherwise occupied, she felt the phantom of them in hers, his arms holding her fast as their feet carried them along to the music. But the sight of Miss Hutton’s golden tresses snapped Marian out of the fantasy, and no matter how she tried to recapture that daydream, it slipped away, leaving her all too aware of the thrumming beat of her heart.
“Would you care to take a turn about the room?”
Marian nearly jumped at the sound, for she had utterly forgotten Lettie’s presence and had not noticed Mr. Gadd sneak away. The young lady’s eyes were trained on her with far too much speculation, and Marian forced her lips into a smile and took Lettie by the arm. Though she kept her gaze turned from George, Marian felt his presence every time he drew near during the dance. The only respite from that torture was seeing Miss Evelyn pass by with Mr. Birks, a beaming smile on the young lady’s lips.
“You are quite distracted this evening.”
Lettie’s words snapped Marian’s attention back to her companion.
“I beg your pardon. I fear my thoughts are quite scattered at the moment,” said Marian, giving her friend an apologetic smile.
“I doubt that.” Lettie’s words were so quiet that Marian wasn’t certain she’d heard them correctly, so she thought it best to ignore what hadn’t meant to be heard.
The pair strolled along the edges of the crowd, weaving around the various groups standing together. Mama turned her gaze from her companions and gave her daughter a knowing look, and Marian nudged Lettie towards the other direction; it would not deter Mama from finding her daughter a suitable dance partner indefinitely, but the lady would not draw attention by chasing after Marian. Not yet, at any rate.
“Your mama is quite determined, I see,” said Lettie.
Marian huffed. “From her behavior, you would think having three unwed daughters is a travesty of the highest order.”
Lifting a hand to her décolletage, Lettie let out a dramatic sigh. “And to think you have yet another sister close to joining your ranks. Your poor mama. How does she manage?”
Laughing, Marian shook her head. “Never mind that many families are in a similar state, Mama is insistent she will have us all married offtout de suite—whether the bachelors wish it or not. I am certain she has a war room set up in some hidden corner of the house with plans to sweep through the enemy ranks before they know what has hit them.”
But Lettie gave only a passing chuckle in response, leaving Marian with the sour feeling that she had misstepped in her humor. With a glance at her companion, Marian found the young lady’s attention quite far from the conversation. So, she borrowed Lettie’s previous words.
“You are quite distracted yourself this evening, Lettie.”
“Not precisely. Though a rather large question is occupying much of my thoughts at present.” Lettie slanted a look towards Marian that caused that unsavory feeling to settle hard in her stomach.
“And what question would that be?”
Pulling them to a stop, Lettie turned to face Marian with a sigh, her gaze holding her friend’s as she asked, “Do you have feelings for Mr. Finch?”
Marian let out a laugh that sounded like someone had dropped a box of nails on a marble floor, her mouth stretching into a grin that was far too strained, and she fought to make her expression nonchalant.
“I do not mean to make you uncomfortable,” said Lettie, and any assurance Marian might’ve offered collapsed beneath the weight of her poor acting skills.
But would it be so terrible if she admitted it aloud? It was Lettie, after all. Of all her friends, Marian thought she would be the most understanding. After all, Lettie had nursed atendrefor their friend Mr. Birks for quite some time before their courtship, so she understood quite clearly the sweet agony of unrequited love (even if it was requited now).
Nevertheless, Marian’s body clenched at the thought of revealing the truth, for a secret was difficult to maintain the more people knew it, and in such matters, timing was important. Too quick, and her feelings might chase George away. She would lose him forever, and her heart could not bear the loss. Better to suffer in silence and live in hope.
Lettie held up a staying hand. “You needn’t answer me, Miss Marian, for I know too well how difficult it can be to admit the truth.”
And though it was clear they both knew what that truth was, the pressure in Marian’s chest eased at the knowledge that she would not be forced to speak it aloud.
Lettie took her friend’s hand, squeezed it, and gave Marian a faint smile. “I simply wish to give a bit of friendly advice—do not keep your heart so guarded.”
Marian opened her mouth to protest, but Lettie held up a staying hand once again.
