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Of course, when he’d approached her at the carriage, everything had fallen to pieces.
Lark winced at the memory. How she’d longed to share with him then and there that Uncle had made her promise not to speak with Mr. Branok, that those five days apart had been the longest of her life. She’d realized that she’d have to wait even longer to speak with him if she had any hope of doing so away from the ever-watchful eyes of Uncle, Aunt, and Mother. That was why she’d hoped he would have agreed to speak in Cornwall, but she knew why he did not.
She had injured him. And he would not forgive her.
“You see? Your mother is wasting no time collecting your partners for the evening,” Aunt said, motioning across the room.
Sure enough, Mother had surrounded herself with four young men, pointing over at Lark and speaking behind a fluttering fan.
Lark looked away, pretending not to have noticed the men veritably salivating, no doubt at the knowledge of Lark’s wealth.
“Do you know any of them?” Aunt Harriet asked.
Lark focused on the dark-haired gentleman at the front. “Only Mr. Taylor. Mother thinks we would get on splendidly because he enjoys hunting.” She cast Aunt a sidelong glance. “Shared interest in birds, you see.”
“Oh, yes. That is just what you would want in a husband.”
“Indeed. I know Mother means well, but she is so often misguided by her own desire to see me wed. I cannot blame her, though. The poor woman will never get to plan her own daughter’s wedding.”
Aunt eyed her. “Will you be happy if you do not get to plan your own wedding?”
Lark hesitated, focusing on the image in her mind’s eye of her standing in front of a church, a man with blue eyes like the sea at her side…
She blinked the image from her mind. “More than happy. If anything, this expedition has only proven to reinstate my desire to remain single so I will be able to enjoy trips like this forevermore.”
She merely had to simply readjust her dreams. She might not be able to procure passage to other countries now, lacking the expertise and connections of Lord Blackstone, but she could still manage a trip around England every now and again. Perhaps even Europe. It was all dependent on her hope and efforts. Was it not?
“And yet,” Aunt Harriet continued, “would you not enjoy these experiences better with a husband at your side? I know I do with your uncle. Mrs. Shepherd does with her husband, as well.” She hesitated. “I know Francis does not approve, but Mr. Branok…”
Lark shook her head, praying Aunt wouldn’t finish the sentence. It was too painful to entertain such thoughts, especially knowing Aunt still enjoyed Mr. Branok’s company, even if Uncle did not.
“He appears to be your equal in every way,” Aunt continued, despite Lark’s prayers. “Have you ever considered…”
Once again, Lark shook her head.
Yes, she and Mr. Branok shared similarities. But one of those similarities—their attachment to remaining single—was to their detriment. Should he give up his bachelorhood, he would also be relinquishing his frequent expeditions, publications, and essentially, his freedom. He would never wish to marry her, as he would be gaining nothing from such a relationship—so a marriage between them was out of the question.
She, on the other hand, would be gaining far more. Freedom, protection…love.
She shook her head. The idea was absurd. Mr. Branok did not love her. She wasn’t even certain if he wished to remain friends after last week.
“No,” she replied softly. “He is determined to remain single. And I am quite content with my choice. But thank you for always being so aware of my happiness, Aunt.”
Aunt gave her a saddened smile, then turned to face the dancers. However, her features shifted to surprise when she focused directly ahead of them. “Is that Mr. and Mrs. Chumley just there?”
Lark followed Aunt Harriet’s line of sight, and to her surprise, a flutter of excitement occurred in her chest at the sight of the couple half-hidden by a gentleman in front of them.
She’d missed Mrs. Chumley, and she’d almost been away from Mr. Chumley long enough to consider tolerating his presence again.
“I believe it is them, yes,” Lark replied.
If the Chumleys were here, did that mean other members of their bird observing party were in attendance, as well?
Do not dwell on false hope, Lark.
“Oh, they’ve seen us,” Aunt said.
Mrs. Chumley made eye contact with Lark across the floor, her eyes brightening as she smiled and waved in greeting. She pointed Lark out to her husband, who appeared less than thrilled at the sighting.
