“Who?” Sarah said, pushing her slipper against the rug, not meeting Lucy’s eyes.
“Don’t play dumb with me, miss. I know how truly intelligent you are. You and Berkeley, of course.”
“You’re right,” Sarah murmured. “I didn’t want to hear that.”
Lucy squeezed her gloves in her hand. “I’m sorry, but someone had to say it out loud. It is the burden and the curse of the blunt person to always have to be the one to vocalize such things.”
Meg nodded.
“How do you know we’re so right for each other?” Sarah continued.
Lucy smoothed a brow with a fingertip. “Because Berkeley told me, of course.”
Sarah gulped. “He said that?”
“No. He said you both laugh at the same things, you both are plagued with attacks of the nerves, and you both share a sense of humor, among other things.”
“Yes, but—,” Sarah began.
“Need I mention the horse’s name?”
“Oh… that.” Sarah bit her lip.
“Yes, that.”
“Oberon,” Meg whispered, nodding. “Suchan obvious sign.”
Lucy sighed. “What I don’t understand is why you two are being so pigheaded about declaring your intentions for each other.”
Sarah lifted her chin and faced her friend. “Lucy, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, truly I have, but—”
Lucy waved a dismissive hand in the air. “But you couldn’t possibly disappoint your parents and break off your engagement, et cetera, et cetera. I’ve heard such patronizing tones before, too.”
“But that’s precisely right.” Sarah folded her hands in her lap and blinked at the duchess. “I cannot possibly disappoint my parents and—”
“I told you she was going to say this, Lucy,” Meg interjected, still sipping tea.
Lucy straightened her shoulders and forced Sarah to meet her eyes. “Meg says that Alex told you the story of how Owen was supposed to be engaged to her sister.”
Sarah nodded hesitantly. Lucy obviously had decided to try a different tactic altogether. Just what was her friend getting at? “Yes, Alex told me that last night.”
“Ifthatdebacle could be called off, I daresay your parents can stand you crying off from the Marquess of Branford.”
Sarah pushed her shoe against the pattern of the rug again. “You don’t understand. The marquess is friendly with the Prince Regent, of all people, not to mention theprincesses,even the queen. Father and Mother would never stand the blow to their reputation were they to insult the marquess in such a public way.”
Lucy was studying her fingernails now. “Something tells me Lord Branford’s self-regard could well withstand such a blow.”
“I’ve absolutely no doubt whatsoever,” Meg added.
Sarah rubbed her temples. “Hemight withstand it, but Mother and Father would never forgive me.” How could her friends not understand the horrible predicament she was in?
“But they’re forcing you into an unhappy marriage,” Lucy said.
“Unhappy marriages happen every day,” Sarah replied.
Lucy slapped her gloves against her thigh. “My goodness, your parents have conditioned you well. You’re quite obedient. But obedience doesn’t always equate to happiness, and that is what I care about at the moment. Your happiness and Berkeley’s. Can’t you see how perfect you are together? You actuallycarefor each other. I can tell. I can see it in your eyes. And his. For example, I’ve never seen him rush off from a dance before to follow a lady out onto a patio. He’s clearly smitten with you. And if I don’t mistake my guess, you are equally smitten with him.”
“She’s smitten,” Meg said.
