Mrs. Wickerton watched us from across the room as a young lady stood up to the pianoforte. She must have been gathering evidence to support her suspicions about our courtship. Mr. Campbell seemed to notice at the same moment I did, and the amusement in his features faded away.
“May I see you tomorrow?” he asked in a quiet voice.
My heart jumped. I hadn’t expected that. The lady at the pianoforte was still arranging her sheet music, but the room had fallen silent in preparation for her performance. I wanted to ask where and when, but I simply nodded.
The music began, a slow, minor piece that I didn’t recognize. The moment it ended, Mr. Campbell stood from the settee and crossed the room to an empty corner, selecting a book from the bookcase against the wall. I understood the need to be discreet if there wasn’t yet an engagement between us, but my stomach sank all the same when Mrs. Aldworth and her daughters made their way to his corner once again.
I had to admire their persistence.
An unpleasant emotion gnawed at my stomach, but I pushed it away and tried not to eavesdrop on the flirting that was coming from all three women. Was I jealous? I shook the thought from my mind, turning my gaze away from that side of the room. Dread sank deep inside my chest. What I was feelingwas not acceptable. Not at all. Somehow I had grown a little too attached to the idea of marrying Mr. Campbell.
Or a little too attached to the man himself.
My heart thudded at the realization. But it was true. I took a deep breath to steady my sudden nerves.
Sir William stood against the intricate blue wallpaper across the room, his eyes drifting in my direction once again. I hadn’t meant to look at him, but the moment our eyes connected, he started toward me.
He stopped in front of the settee, offering a bow. His golden hair fell just above his light brown eyes. “Good evening, Miss Sharp. Are you enjoying the party?”
Kate continued to rotate away from me on the other side of the settee to avoid any involvement, though I knew she was listening.
“It has been a delight thus far.” I smiled broadly.
“I am glad to hear it.” He returned my smile and gestured at the empty space on the settee. “May I?”
“Of course.” I held my posture gracefully as he took the seat beside me. I hadn’t believed him to be interested in me after the last ball at the assembly rooms, but tonight, his eyes glinted with admiration. Had he sensed his competition in Mr. Campbell? Was that why he had come to claim that seat? I considered his friendly countenance, not a hint of reservation in his features. He seemed like the sort of man to think the best of everyone…innocent enough to be easily deceived. In fact, he reminded me of Freddy.
I cringed. That was not what I wanted in a husband. But Sir William felt safer somehow, less threatening to my composure than Mr. Campbell. He, on the other hand, evoked a whirlwind of emotions and ill manners within me that I had never experienced before. If I courted Sir William instead, I would feel much more in control, and that was how I liked to feel.
I was torn between encouraging him and dismissing him. Mrs. Wickerton was already aware that Mr. Campbell had called upon me, and now she was watching my interaction with Sir William. I decided that remaining polite and neutral would serve me best for now.
As Sir William asked what my favorite dessert on the table had been, I felt Mr. Campbell’s gaze like a tangible thing, burning against the side of my face. I cast a discreet glance at the corner where I knew he stood, and my heart gave an unwelcome leap. His jaw was tight. Was he jealous, too?
I struggled to shake the image from my mind as I focused my attention on Sir William again. We spoke of a number of inconsequential matters, such as the weather and the best activities to enjoy in town, before he took his leave of the settee and made his rounds to a few of the other guests. I couldn’t interpret his attention as anything but friendliness, yet Mr. Campbell seemed to have other ideas.
I still felt his gaze, but I refused to look in his direction.
“That was unexpected,” Kate whispered as she moved closer to me. Her smile was far too sly for a public setting, so I scolded her with a look.
“I hope Mr. Campbell doesn’t feel deterred.” My voice was so hushed I wondered if Kate had even heard me.
She shook her head confidently. “If a man is truly interested in you, competition will not drive him away. It will have quite the opposite effect.” She leaned closer. “It will drive him to fight harder for you.”
I hoped she was right. It would be a good test of his devotion, at least. Because the question still lingered in my mind the entire evening:WasMr. Campbell truly interested in me? Or was he deceiving me?
I was determined to find out.
CHAPTER 16
CLARK
Sunlight spilled through the tall windows of the Pump Room in pale gold ribbons, glinting against the crystal chandeliers. I hadn’t been eager to drink the water from the Roman Baths since arriving in town, but that was before I had any ailments in need of healing.
My attachment to Miss Sharp was a serious ailment, indeed.
A dangerous and severe one.
I took a glass of hot mineral water from a passing footman, taking a large mouthful. The sharp, metallic flavor burned my tongue. I stared into the glass in dismay as I forced the sip of water down my throat.Thiswas what thousands flocked to Bath in order to taste? The crowds of people in the Pump Room drifted by with their glasses, some sipping gingerly, and others draining the water quickly to end the unpleasant experience as soon as possible. Others didn’t have glasses of water at all.
