“Very fond, but then last year he started running about London with a crowd of spoiled nobleman, and they…they ruined him, Emma. Lord Dunn did his best to extricate Lovell, but it did no good. After that, we hardly ever saw him at LymingtonHouse anymore.”
Emma squeezed Lady Flora’s hand. “That’s dreadful, Flora. I’m trulysorry for it.”
Lady Flora gave Emma a grateful glance, but her chin was wobbling, and she turnedher face away.
* * * *
Samuel couldn’t see her face. Her back was to him, and there were dozens of other fair-haired ladies in blue gowns on the promenade this afternoon, but he knew of only one lady who wore that particularshade of blue.
A deep, endless blue that matched the color of her eyes.
He quickened his gait, an unwelcome tug of anticipation in his belly. “Come along, Lovell. Lady Flora is just ahead of us. If we hurry, wecan catch her.”
“No, Lymington. You know damn well she doesn’t want to see me.”
Several ladies who were strolling nearby gasped at Lovell’s curse, but he turned such a fierce scowl on them, they scurried off down the pathway, whisperingto each other.
Samuel sighed. Last night when Lovell had returned to Lady Swinton’s ballroom after his garden adventure, he’d been more downcast than Samuel had ever seen him. He hadn’t said a word about Lady Flora, and Samuel hadn’t asked, but it was as plain as day she’d sent Lovell on his way without a single word ofencouragement.
“You give up too easily. Recall, Lovell, that you and Lady Flora have been friends for years. She cares verymuch for you.”
“Not anymore. She despises me now.” Lovell swiped a rock from the pathway with a vicious swing of hiswalking stick.
Samuel didn’t care for lovesick dramatics, and he’d never coddled his cousin, but he couldn’t ignore the misery in Lovell’s eyes, the despairing twist of his lips. “She’s angry with you, yes, but a friendship like yours doesn’t wither and die because of a few mistakes. Stop sulking over it, and beg Flora’s forgiveness.”
Lovell’s laugh was bitter. “It didn’tdie, Lymington. I murdered it, and there’s not a reason in the world why Flora should forgive me for it.”
Samuel glanced ahead of them at Lady Flora, who was getting farther away with every step, and decided this wasn’t a moment for subtly. He tore his hat from his head and waved it in the air. “Lady Flora! Wait!”
“For God’s sake, Lymington! Haveyou gone mad?”
Lovell snatched Samuel’s hat from his hand, but it was already too late. Lady Flora and Lady Emma both turned at the sound of his voice.
Lady Flora’s lips turned down into a dark frown, and Lovell blanched.
“No, Lymington. I told you,I don’t want—”
But Samuel was already striding down the pathway. “Hurry up, will you, before some other gentleman cuts us out.”
“Just as well if they did,” Lovell grumbled, but he trailed after Samuel, dragging his feet with every step.
“Lord Lovell, and Lord Lymington. How do you do?” Lady Silvester nodded politely, but she cast an uneasy glance at Lady Flora, who was looking everywhere but atLovell’s face.
Samuel frowned, doubt niggling at him. Perhaps this had been a mistake, but it was too late now. “Good afternoon, ladies. What luck that we should haverun into you.”
“Yes, extraordinary good luck,” Lady Crosby offered, attempting to smooth over the awkwardness. “It’s a lovely day, is it not?”
“Indeed. Even lovelier now.” Lovell, flustered by Lady Flora’s coldness, directed the full force of his charm at Lady Emma. “The heat has put such pretty color in your cheeks, Lady Emma. Do you care for a stroll around the Serpentine? Perhaps you’ll find the breeze refreshing.”
“Why, what a good idea, Lord Lovell. I’m certain the young ladies will be pleased to accompany you.” Lady Silvester turned a bright smile on her granddaughter. “Doesn’t that sound pleasant, Flora?”
Flora didn’t answer. Lovell’s tentative smile fell, and things might have become painful indeed, if Lady Emma hadn’t stepped forward and taken Samuel’s arm. “A walksounds lovely.”
Samuel blew out a relieved breath. “Very well, then. Lead the way, Lovell.”
“Lady Flora?” Lovell turned hesitantly toward her, and offered his arm. She made no move to take it, but hung back, her eyes downcast until Lovell drew closer and murmured in a voice hoarse with pain, “Please, Flora?”
Samuel tensed as he waited for Lady Flora to make her decision. She hesitated, but as angry as she was, she’d never been able to bear Lovell’s pain. She took his arm. “Thankyou, my lord.”
