Until Benjamin’s last comment, he had been excellent company — the best company she had encountered since arriving in London, in fact. He had seen her distress when no one else had and helped her through it. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so cared for. However, she wasn’t sure if she could excuse his misstep. While she had no doubt some of the other maidens, and even previous Diamonds, had the fortune to take their time in choosing a husband, Felicity did not. She was under immense pressure to successfully attract and wed a husband who would provide not just for herself but for her sisters and parents as well. She hated the circumstances. She hated that her father no longer had the capacity to provide well for his family. She hated that her mother spent every spare penny on impressing the ton. She hated that she had three younger sisters to consider. But most of all, she hated that her happiness came last.
But Benjamin could not have known her predicament. Their conversation had not been long enough for her to explain, and she wasn’t sure her family’s dire financial situation was something she should share with anyone, let alone a stranger. She sighed.
I cannot be angry with Benjamin. While he shouldn’t have said such presumptuous things, he was only commenting on the way other ladies have acted in their pursuit of husbands.
By the time she had made her way back to where her mother and sister stood, Felicity was resigned to her fate. As much as she hated the position she was in, she could never hate her sisters or her mother and father. She would simply have to do the best she could to win over a wealthy husband. Her hopes for a loving marriage or even a kind husband would have no influence over her.
“There you are, my dear!” her mother squealed in her direction.
“What an awfully long time to spend without any improvement on your hair,” Hannah sneered.
Felicity had to stifle a laugh as she watched Delilah roll her eyes.
“Never mind that now.” Her mother’s dismissal of Hannah’s comments surprised Felicity. She had never known her mother to disregard anyone’s opinion so lightly. “I would like to introduce you to someone.”
Between the sing-song way her mother had said that and Delilah’s grimace, Felicity knew she would have to prepare herself. She schooled her features into what she hoped would be a pleased smile before nodding in agreement.
“Here he comes now!”
They all turned to watch a tall, slender man approach carrying a cup of punch with him.
“Your punch, My Lady,” the man said, offering the drink to her mother.
“You are most appreciated, My Lord. May I introduce my daughter? Felicity, this is Lord Mark Roberts, Earl of Edgware. Lord Edgware, this is my eldest daughter, Miss Felicity Kent.”
Her mother reached around Felicity’s shoulders and pulled her forward, closer to the gentleman. He was handsome for a man who looked to be about her mother’s age. His black hair was slicked back with slivers of gray peeking through around his temples. But there was something in the way his eyes drifted over her like he was looking through her.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kent.”
He dropped his head in a short bow, but never took his eyes off of hers, sending an uneasy sensation through her. At her mother’s nudge, she returned the greeting.
“The pleasure is all mine, My Lord.”
“Lord Edgeware was just telling us about his talents as a dancer,” her mother said. “He benefited from a dance instructor from France.”
“How lucky for you,” Felicity commented, unsure of what else to say.
“So,” Delilah chimed in, “have you and Mother been friends long?”
Her question, directed at the Earl, seemed to catch everyone off guard. Her mother began to sputter, searching for something pacifying to say while Felicity stood silently. She couldn’t make up her mind whether to express her gratitude to her sister or chide her for the uncouth remark. Only the man in question seemed unfazed by her sister’s assumption.
“Unfortunately, no. I was only lucky enough to make her acquaintance this evening when the Countess of Thorne introduced us. I cannot fathom how I lived my life without knowing her and her enchanting daughters until now. I can only hope we will all get more familiar with each other over the coming season.”
While Delilah looked wholly unimpressed with the charm Lord Edgeware seemed to have an abundance of, her mother looked ready to melt. A smattering of applause sounded throughout the ballroom; another dance just ended.
“Would you do me the honor, Miss Kent,” Lord Roberts said, turning to Felicity, “and share the next dance with me? If that is all right with you, of course, My Lady”
“She would be very pleased to dance with you; isn’t that right, my dear?” her mother answered for her. “Off you go!”
With one last pleading look to Delilah, Felicity allowed the Earl to escort her to the dance floor. They took their places across from one another as Felicity drew in a deep breath. It was going to be an endless night.
CHAPTER3
Miss Kent,
After the abrupt ending of our conversation, I took the liberty of seeking out your address. I hope you do not mind. If I am a bother to you, you need only ignore this letter, and I will understand it to mean you wish nothing more to do with me. But I felt I owed you nothing less than a sincere apology, and I am most apologetic. My words to you last night were entirely unacceptable. I find that I am not myself as of late, and I do not know what came over me. Nevertheless, the assumptions I made about your character and intelligence were inexcusable. While I understand if you were to abhor me forever, I would be most grateful for your forgiveness for the offense I caused.
When you first stepped out onto the veranda, despite your apparent distress, I felt you were the most lovely creature I had ever seen. While you had not seen me, as made apparent by our unorthodox introductions, you had captured my complete attention. Throughout the duration of our conversation, it became clear to me that you were more than beautiful. You are also kind, intelligent, and loyal. All these qualities in a singular person are not an easily found thing. Surely you must know that you are indeed a rare woman. Even the Queen herself was forced to acknowledge your rarity by selecting you as the best amongst the maidens.