“Why, to call on my betrothed,” James said. It took some effort not to regret the decision once he’d made it. Instead, he strode to the door. “If all goes well, I’ll find that my first opinion of her was entirely wrong.”
Doubtful, he reckoned, but certainly worth praying for.
#
DETERMINED TO PROVEto all of London, and to herself as well, that marrying James Townsbridge would make her splendidly happy, Abigail made her way along Murray Street with Petra by her side.I am wrong about him, she silently chanted.He is not the rude, obnoxious man I think him to be. Lance was an excellent judge of character, so if he said James Townsbridge was an amicable gentleman, then that was what he was and she was quite simply wrong about him.
“Abigail.” Petra’s hand grabbed hold of her arm, causing her to jolt. “Is that not him right now, coming toward us?”
Abigail stopped as if some sort of wall had materialized before her. She stared straight ahead, acknowledged that the handsome man approaching was indeed the very same one to whom she would soon be married, and quickly ducked behind her sister.
“What are you doing?” Petra asked, her voice teetering between annoyance and exasperation.
“What does it look like?” When Abigail had envisioned how calling on Townsbridge House would go, she’d pictured a butler granting her entry to a parlor. Miss Townsbridge and Miss Athena would come to take tea with her. They would discuss something mundane for the sake of smoothing things over, after which Abigail would take her leave. The prospect of seeing Mr. Townsbridge himself had not entered her head at all, allowing her to steady her nerves.
“Being a nitwit?” Petra suggested in answer to her question.
“What is he doing here?” Abigail asked while her stomach began flapping about like a fish out of water. Her own brother never left home before three in the afternoon, and when he finally did, it was by carriage in order to visit his club.
“Taking a walk,” Petra replied. She blew out a breath. “I think he’s seen us.”
“What?” Abigail peeked out from behind Petra’s shoulder. And was instantly met by Mr. Townsbridge’s censorious scowl. Her flapping stomach did a somersault while her heart started fluttering like a piece of fine linen caught in a breeze.
“Good morning,” Mr. Townsbridge said as he came to a halt. His eyes met Abigail’s and his frown seemed to deepen, if such a thing were possible. A pause followed, during which he glanced at Petra before returning his gaze to Abigail. He waited for a good three seconds, and then he said, “Ordinarily, you would greet me in return and then introduce me to your companion.”
He was right, of course, but that did not entitle him to be so overbearing. Swallowing, Abigail took a step sideways and tried not to think of how queasy she felt. She tried to tamp down her nerves. even though she was trembling from head to toe, and did her best to straighten her spine while raising her chin just enough to suggest she would not be cowed by the likes of him.
Inhaling deeply, she gestured to Petra. “My sister. Lady Petra Bright.”
Mr. Townsbridge’s dark brown eyes bored into hers, increasing her desire to make a hasty retreat. Instead, she held his gaze until he looked away, giving his attention to Petra instead. “A pleasure,” he murmured and touched the brim of his hat.
“Likewise,” Petra said with what sounded like a sigh of relief. “I’ve been very eager to make your acquaintance since learning of my sister’s betrothal to you. Congratulations on that, by the way. I have no doubt the two of you will be immensely happy together.”
Abigail stared at Petra and so did Mr. Townsbridge. “Indeed,” he murmured, after what felt like the most awkward moment ever.
Petra just smiled as if all were as it should be. “We were actually on our way to visit you, if you can believe it,” she continued while Abigail began to wish this was all a nightmare from which she would soon awaken.
Mr. Townsbridge raised both eyebrows. “Is that so?”
Abigail cleared her throat and shifted from one foot to the other. “Not you,” she managed while clasping her hands together. “Your sisters.”
“Ah. Well...” He paused as if considering something, then sighed again. His shoulders sagged and then he said, “As it happens, I was on my way to call on you.”
“Oh,” Petra said with a beaming smile that put a neat row of white teeth on display. “How serendipitous.”
Abigail cringed, dreading what would happen next since it very likely involved Mr. Townsbridge making an awful suggestion like—
“But since we are both out of doors,” he said, “perhaps we ought to continue our walks together?”
“But your sisters,” Abigail tried, attempting to extricate herself from what promised to be the most trying hour or two of her life.
“We can call on them tomorrow,” Petra said.
Abigail turned to her with a glare. “I’ll get you for this,” she muttered, so low only Petra would hear her. And then Mr. Townsbridge grabbed her by the arm and began leading her away.
#
WHY DID IT HAVE TObe this particular Bright daughter to whom he’d gotten engaged and not the other? James glanced over his shoulder at Lady Petra, who trailed behind. At leastsheknew how to smile, though he had to admit she looked a bit too young to consider marriage.
