"You are quiet, Christina." Lady Bedford looked at her with gentle concern. "Are you well?"
"Perfectly well, Mama." Christina smiled, and if the smile did not quite reach her eyes, her mother did not appear to notice. "I was only thinking."
4
“Coventry, there you are. I was afraid you might be tardy.”
Isaac smiled briefly and bent to kiss his sister’s cheek. “Good evening, Emily. Thank you for the invitation.”
“I wanted to have you to myself for a quarter of an hour before the others arrive,” Emily said, guiding him toward the overstuffed chair near the hearth. A small summer fire burned in the grate, casting shadows along the walls. “Please, do sit down.”
Isaac sat, and his sister took the chair opposite, folding her hands in her lap with the composed attention he had known since childhood — the attention she had always reserved for moments when she meant to say something that had been waiting for its chance.
“Last Season, you did not wish to marry,” she began. “This Season, I understand, your thoughts are turned in that direction.”
A knot tugged at Isaac’s stomach, but he nodded.
Emily’s head tilted gently. “And yet you sit there as if the prospect were a penance rather than a pleasure.”
“I am — selective.”
“You are uneasy.” She leaned forward a fraction, her voice softening. “Coventry, I know you. What is it?”
The fire cracked. Isaac turned his gaze to the flames, the desire to speak of the state of his heart burning in him, pressing against the careful construction of his composure. For two years he had carried this alone. Perhaps that, at last, was enough.
“You are perceptive, Emily,” he said. “I have not always had the good fortune of a contented life.”
Her breath caught. “Coventry?”
“Two years ago,” he said. “Miss Christina Oldham.”
Silence followed. It was the first time he had spoken her name aloud to anyone outside of Lord Kinsley’s drawing room.
“She is daughter to the Viscount of Bedford,” Emily said, shock entering her voice. “Lord Wickton is married to her elder sister. And you were — ”
“Engaged to her. For one night.” He closed his eyes. “I told her I loved her. She accepted. And the following day, I received a letter telling me it was over.”
Emily rose from her chair and came to him, her hand on his arm, her eyes glistening. “I am sorry for all you have endured. I wish you had not held this burden alone.”
“I did,” he said simply. “But I am determined now to rid myself of these lingering feelings. I mean to try to find another.”
His sister’s frown was gentle. “I do not know what to advise you, brother, having never known such a loss. If you think this the right way forward, then Kinsley and I shall both support you.” She pressed his hand. “I am glad you told me.”
He covered her hand with his own. “Speaking of it has lightened my heart a little.”
“That is good.”
The sound of carriage wheels over cobbles turned her head toward the window. She rose, smoothing her skirts, and gave him a last, considering look before going out to greet herfirst guests. Isaac remained a moment longer, listening as the hall filled with the murmur of arrivals, drawing the mask of composure neatly back into place.
I cannot permit myself to think of what we shared any longer. This Season will be different. It will be one for new acquaintances, new connections, and mayhap, a new love.
Drawing in a breath, he straightened his shoulders and walked out to meet the other guests. Even as he went, however, the whisper of Christina’s love lingered still in the quiet recesses of his heart.
5
Christina took her mother’s arm as they walked around the ballroom, greeting acquaintances as they went. Lady Bedford had thought it a good idea for them both to walk all around the room before stopping to talk to anyone in particular, telling Christina that it would be a good way for her to see all who were present – and for them to see her also. Christina had agreed without hesitation, for it gave her a few minutes to compose herself. Looking around, Christina took in the vast number of guests, telling herself that she would be easily able to stay away from Lord Coventry, should he be present.
The air was alive with the low hum of conversation and the rustle of silks and satins as the orchestra took up their positions for the next dance. Her gaze danced across clusters of gentlemen standing together while ladies near to them cast auspicious glances, no doubt in the hope of catching their attention.
