“Why not ask for the chance to prove her wrong?” she said, as Honora tried to smile, thinking the idea preposterous. “That way you will be certain that you have done everything possible to change the future that awaits you otherwise.” She smiled and patted Honora’s hand as it rested on her arm. “And I could direct you towards gentlemen who want for nothing and could very easily be prevailed upon to fall in love.”
This time, Honora’s smile was genuine. It was almost too much for her to consider, for it felt as though it were a dream which was so far from what could ever be that Honora could not even let herself contemplate it.
“That would be very good of you, Lady Albina,” she said, as her new friend smiled warmly. “I – I will consider the idea, certainly.”
“Good.”
Honora cleared her throat gently, wanting now to change the subject so that they no longer spoke of her circumstances. The idea that had been given to her was a little overwhelming, and Honora knew that she would need time to think through everything which Lady Albina had suggested.
“You must tell me which gentlemen you have met already, if there have been any.”
At this, Honora laughed again, her mind immediately going to Lord Crampton.
“I have been introduced to one gentleman who I am not likely to forget!”
“Oh?” Lady Albina’s eyes widened. “You have caught the eye of a gentleman already?”
Laughing, her green eyes dancing, Honora shook her head.
“No, I have not caught the eye of anyone, but have found myself entirely disinclined towards one particular fellow who behaved so rudely that both my aunt and I are completely averse to continuing in his company any longer!”
“Oh, and who might that be?”
Even the thought of his name had Honora’s mouth setting tight.
“Lord Crampton.”
Lady Albina’s blue eyes widened, her alabaster skin suddenly flushing pink as she slowed her steps, staring at Honora in utter astonishment. Honora, who had no understanding of why her friend reacted this way, simply looked back at her steadily, but without speaking another word.
“Lord Crampton was the gentleman who behaved so very rudely to you and your aunt?” Lady Albina repeated, as Honora nodded. “You are quite certain?”
“I am,” Honora replied, her eyebrows pulling tightly together as she frowned. “Why? Is there something wrong?”
Lady Albina finally resumed walking, shaking her head to herself as she did so.
“Lord Crampton is favored by the Duke of Strathaven,” she told Honora, whose brows lifted so high in astonishment that they almost disappeared into her hairline. “He thinks Lord Crampton the very best of gentlemen and, indeed, Lord Crampton was hailed as the most wonderful, the most excellent of all gentlemen last Season.”
“Good gracious!” Honora exclaimed, unable to put such news to what she herself knew of Lord Crampton and how he had behaved. “And why does the Duke think so highly of him?”
A small sigh escaped from Lady Albina’s lips before she began to explain, as though she herself were a little jealous of what had taken place.
“Lady Charlotte, the Duke’s daughter, was being stolen away by a nefarious gentleman who, I am sure, wanted only to marry her so that he might have her dowry and the wealth that, in time, the Duke would have given to her for her inheritance. This took place in the gardens of some gentleman or other – I forget his name – during a ball. Lord Crampton came upon this and rescued Lady Charlotte from the man who sought to compromise her and, thereafter, the Duke and Duchess of Strathaven have been in Lord Crampton’s debt. I believe,” she continued, as Honora listened in growing amazement, “that Lord Crampton laid such a blow upon Viscount Forthside that he knocked the fellow unconscious! Of course, thereafter everyone in thetonthought him to be the most marvelous fellow, and they all sought out his company. That attention might have waned a little over the last few months, but I am sure that society still considers Lord Crampton to be the most wonderful of gentlemen.”
“I cannot quite believe it,” Honora murmured, as Lady Albina nodded.
“He has not long been in London, I should say. I believe last Season was his first. By all accounts, Lord Crampton only took on the title of Earl a little over a year ago, after the death of the latter Earl of Crampton. It was a strange circumstance, from what I recall.”
Honora tilted her head.
“Strange?”
“He was not at that time a titled gentleman nor had any expectation of inheriting a title. I believe the connection between him and the Earl of Crampton was something of an unexpected one, but it was proven to be quite proper. His father is the third son of the third son of the previous Earl’s grandfather – and by some strange circumstance, all the male relatives before him were found to be deceased, so the title came to him.”
“I see.” This was rather interesting and despite herself, Honora found herself eager to know a little more. “So he has not been to Eton and the like?”
Lady Albina laughed.
“No, I do not believe so. His arrival had already sparked a good deal of interest and I believe there were some rumors about him, as thetonis always eager to do, but then the Duke of Strathaven declared him to be the very best fellow in all of London, and all such gossip faded away.”