“Tell!” Lydia demanded.
“I’ve already told you. His Grace is Gareth’s particular friend. He often visited us in London. He may have thought it polite to dance with me.”
“I’ve got eyes in my head, young lady.”
“And possibly windmills in your head!” Laura muttered under her breath.
“I heard that.”
“Lydia, I should leave. Mother and Aunt Nell may need me for something.”
“I’m sure your mother and Aunt Nell are taking a well-deserved rest. Your brother and Lady Daventon are away on their wedding trip. Your butler, your housekeeper, your maid, and the servants are busy doing whatever they are paid to do. So you can remain in that seat. You are not leaving until you tell me about his Grace and you.”
“Marriage doesn’t agree with you. You were never this bossy.”
“And you, my dear, weren’t receiving smoldering looks from devastatingly handsome dukes!”
Laura blushed. “He is handsome, isn’t he?”
“Of course he is handsome. Not as handsome as my husband, though.”
“That’s not true!”
“No? What’s wrong with your sight? Could it be love?”
“Lydia!”
“I don’t mean to tease you. I saw you and his Grace after the waltz. You looked lost in each other. I expected to hear an announcement at the ball itself.”
“I don’t think his Grace intends to offer for me. Most of the time he treats me like a child.”
“But you have feelings for him.”
“I ...”
“You don’t have to say anything. I can read your face. I still think his Grace means to offer for you. He may have wanted to wait until after the wedding. Mark my words, he is sure to come after Gareth returns home.”
Laura took hope from Lydia’s words. It made perfect sense. Anthony would not want to upstage his friend’s special day. But when four months passed by and the duke did not arrive, she was forced to admit that it was all foolishness on her part. She had asked for the dance. She had gazed into Anthony’s eyes. She had clung to him like a limpet. He couldn’t have possibly pushed her away!
And yet, she surreptitiously checked the mail. She didn’t ask Gareth for news about Anthony – that would be too obvious – but whenever Gareth mentioned the duke, she tried to find out as much as she could without making him suspect her interest was anything more than a causal one.
Finally, a letter arrived. Laura was with the rest of her family, at the breakfast table. Gareth, as was his habit, was perusing the mail. “Wimberley sends his regards,” he said, putting aside the letter he had been reading.
For a fraction of a minute, Laura’s fork remained suspended in air. “A letter from his Grace?” she asked.
“Does he write about his mother? How is she now?” Lady Helena asked.
“She is much improved. Anthony has also found someone who is taking good care of his daughter. He need not hurry to look for a wife.”
Laura slowly exhaled. Anthony wasn’t engaged. She would meet him again during the Season. If they met often enough, he might fall madly in love with her!
***
In the coming weeks, Laura had little time to dream about being courted by her duke. She was busy with another romance.
Lord Russel had taken to visiting Daventon Manor every day. His interest lay with Lady Helena. He was a most determined suitor. And he had no scruples about enlisting Laura’s help in his wooing.
Lady Helena was equally determined in continuing with her single state. She refused to see what was obvious to her family - that Lord Russel was perfect for her.
“I’m too old for this nonsense!” she told her sister-in-law.
“Now, that’s a piece of nonsense.”
“Catherine, I decided I wouldn’t marry anyone. You know how much I loved Oliver.”
“Lord Russel knows it, too. He was Lord Egerton’s friend.”
“I don’t know what to think.”
“Then don’t. Give the man a chance. He’s in the drawing room, with Maria and Laura. He will not leave until you put in an appearance. He was there for three hours yesterday. He was in no mood for conversation and kept looking at the door. Maria told me she didn’t know what to do except keep offering cake. She has been doing that for the last one week. Lord Russel is sure to gain several pounds while courting you!”
Lady Helena rolled her eyes and marched into the drawing room. “Lord Russel, may I have a word?”
“With me?”
“Are you Lord Russel?”
Laura suppressed a laugh at the look on his lordship’s face. She would have loved to stay and watch, but Lady Maria grasped her wrist and hurried her out of the room.
“Do you think he will convince Aunt Nell?” Laura asked.
“He had better. He almost gagged when I offered cake the third time.”
“Gareth told him yesterday he was positively haunting the manor. Poor Lord Russel. I hope Aunt Nell favors his suit.”
***
Five weeks later, Lady Helena became Lady Russel. Her new home was not very far from Daventon Manor, where she had spent thirty-six years. Gareth and Laura were happy for their aunt but also missed her. She had been a mother to them.
Lady Russel often came over to the manor. As the Season approached, her visits increased. “We must go early so that Laura have enough time to make a choice.”
But a week before they were to leave for London, Catherine fell ill. Two days later, a letter brought the news that the Dowager Duchess of Severn had broken her leg and would be glad of her granddaughter’s company.
Lady Catherine and Lady Helena were both upset about having to put off the London trip. They didn’t want Laura to miss the Season. They tried to find a solution but Laura refused to go to London when her mother was ill.
Laura was disappointed too but hid it from her mother and aunt. She had hoped to see Anthony again. However, her disappointment lasted for only a week. Gareth received a letter from the Duke of Wimberley. He would not be coming to London for the Season.
Laura turned her attention to looking after her mother. Catherine’s recovery was slow. Even after she was better, the physician said the polluted air of London could be detrimental to her health.
In the new year, Gareth and Maria left on a trip to America. Maria had long dreamed of visiting the plantation that her parents had owned. During their absence, Lord and Lady Russel took it upon themselves to keep an eye on the management of the Daventon estates. Lord Russel made it a point to ride over every day.
After Gareth and Maria returned, Lord and Lady Russel left on a trip to visit with relatives in the Lake district and to take in the sights.
Before long, another London Season was upon them. Laura kept wondering whether Anthony would come. And if he did, would he court her?