He could only see her side profile, but he suspected that she was lovely. Her small nose wrinkled in delight as she sniffed the rose, and her pale skin was slightly flushed.
Lionel wanted to walk past her trying to move as quietly as possible. But he was not going to be able to escape the young woman. His boot stepped on a stick, and he cringed as it snapped under his weight causing the young woman’s back to straighten quickly. Her eyes met his and Lionel was surprised by the golden flecks in them.
“Good evening,” he said, tipping his head slightly.
“Good evening.” Her eyes were curious as they looked at him. “Are you here to see Mr Waldren?” she asked, getting immediately to the point. Lionel was surprised. He was not used to young ladies being so forceful.
“I am,” he told her.
She looked at him expectedly, and Lionel realised that she was waiting for him to give her his name.
“I am Lionel Vanden,” he said.
“Lovely to meet you, Mr Vanden.” Lionel did not introduce himself by his title. He did not see the need for such formality. Yes, he was Earl of Kent, but unlike some, he did not go around expecting everyone to bow to him. He found that when people learned of his title the way that people treated him changed drastically.
Most people always treated him with deference even when it was clear that they did not care for his character.
And Lionel preferred for people to treat him however they felt. He did not feel the need to put on airs, and he did not understand why others did.
“And you are?” he asked when he realised that she had not told him her name.
She flushed. “Apologies,” she said. “I am Flora Sedley. I am visiting with Ab—Mrs Waldren.”
“Ah.” Lionel stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets unsure of what else there was to say.
“Are you here for the party? I believe that you may be slightly early, but I am sure that the Waldrens would be happy to accommodate you. I came out here to pick some flowers.”
Lionel’s eyes widened slightly. He was surprised that this Miss Sedley would speak so freely to someone who was a stranger—one who had walked into the yard of the home where she was staying with little more than an introduction.
Lionel reached into his waistcoat and pulled out his watch. He looked down at the face not surprised to see that he was a few moments early. He prided himself on always being on time.
“I am aware that I am slightly early, but if there are no guests, I can wait. I do not wish to impose on the hosts.”
“I am certain that the two of them would be happy to see you. I imagine that you must be a close friend. Abigail told me that she was only inviting neighbours and close friends for this evening’s meals.”
Lionel shrugged. “I do not know if I would consider myself a close friend.”
“No?” Flora asked. “Why would you attend such an event if you do not consider yourself close to the Waldren family?”
This young woman talked a great deal. Normally, that would make Lionel balk, and he would immediately make it clear that he did not care to have any more discussion. But there was something about this young woman that he found intriguing.
Perhaps, it was the open, large smile on her face. She looked with wide eyes as though she were genuinely intrigued by whatever it was that he had to share, and something about her made Lionel believe that she was being sincere.
“I am their neighbour,” Lionel explained. “It is only proper that I answer their invitation.”
“That explains why you were able to walk onto the property,” Flora said. “Abigail mentioned that the properties were closer than normal to one another. Do you know why that is?”
Lionel released a small sigh. He had not expected to have to run a gauntlet of questions when he answered the invitation.
“I do not,” Lionel told her. “I’ve been told that the Waldrens built their house so closely because they wanted to appear wealthier than they were. I have also heard that the Waldrens were great friends of my ancestors, and they built their home close because of that friendship.”
“How fascinating,” Flora said.
Lionel snorted. He could not help himself. Naturally, the two of them had begun walking towards the house. They were not too far, but Lionel’s steps matched hers, and her short legs did not cover a great amount of ground.
“It is decidedly not interesting,” he told her with authority.
“Ithink that it is fascinating,” she told him. “I have never known two estates to be so close with one another. There must be a reason for it. It is a mystery lost to the dredges of time.”