what might have been said between them but, much to my astonishment, it appears as though Lord Hosmer spoke quite cordially and has no eagerness to either converse with her further or pursue a greater acquaintance.”
Lady Hayward pushed open the door and stepped inside, allowing Charity to follow after her before she let the door close again. Rubbing her hands to restore a little warmth, Lady Hayward looked back at Charity.
“You did not truly believe that he might wish to reacquaint himself with her, did you?” she asked, as Charity lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “There is too much pain there, I am sure.”
“Pain that perhaps only she can remove,” Charity replied, a little tersely. “But certainly, I was grateful for his apology.”
“And for his dance?” Lady Hayward asked, as, much to her embarrassment, Charity felt heat climb into her cheeks. “It was noted amongst the others present that Lord Hosmer had danced with you – and only you, I might add.” One eyebrow arched. “That is after he has not danced with any other young ladies for years!”
Charity looked away but could not hide her smile.
“It was very good of him,” she admitted, not wanting to say anything that might reveal the truth of how she felt. “I am sure that he did so, solely to prove to me that he has every intention of doing as he said.”
“Which is?”
“Which is setting his mind free of the trappings of the past,” Charity replied, as they wandered a little further into the warm shop. “To forget about past hurts, to stop himself from dwelling on all that took place all those years ago and, instead, to make certain that he now finds happiness and enjoyment in what is present before him.”
Lady Hayward’s smile was a knowing one.
“And you were before him last evening.”
“I hardly think that dancing with me meant anything such as that,” Charity declared, despite her own quickening heart and her whirling thoughts which she did not want to share with Lady Hayward at present. “He was only proving that what he has promised is to become a reality.”
Lady Hayward laughed, her eyes twinkling.
“You are quite determined to believe it?” she questioned, as Charity turned her attention to silk ribbons in an attempt to change the topic of conversation. “Very well, so be it. But I will look forward to the time when you tell me that there is something more between yourself and Lord Hosmer, for then I shall be very pleased with myself indeed!”
This made Charity laugh although she had to confess quietly to herself that what Lady Hayward had said brought many thoughts to her mind. What if Lord Hosmer had, in fact, chosen to ‘look at what was before him’ and, in doing so, had seen her? What would she do if there was something more to be discovered between them? Even the thought made her heart quicken and a small smile curl her lips. She had to confess that the more she had spoken to Lord Hosmer, the more he had revealed to her, the deeper their connection had become. However, she had also felt all manner of emotions when it came to him, for he had irritated her, angered her and deeply upset her – but his apology had smoothed all hurts now that she truly believed him to be genuine in his intentions.
“Good afternoon.”
Charity looked up quickly from where she had been absent-mindedly looking over silk ribbons.
“Good afternoon, Lady Dewsbury,” she heard Lady Hayward reply. “You have ventured out into the cold as well, it seems!”
“Ah, yes. My daughter simply must have a few new things to add to her ensemble for tomorrow evening’s ball,” came the reply, as Charity dropped her head again and tried very hard to focus on the ribbons rather than pay attention to the conversation. “You are to attend, are you not?”
“You are attending, Lady Charity?”
A little startled as she was addressed by a different voice, Charity caught her breath as she looked up, only to realize that Lady Norwich had approached her on evidently stealthy feet.
“Good afternoon, Lady Norwich,” she replied, quickly bobbing a curtsey. “How good to see you again.”
She had not said very much to the lady other than to greet her and to make meaningless conversation during the dinner party some time ago, making her a little surprised that Lady Norwich now approached her in such a manner.
“Are you attending Lord Livingstone’s ball, Lady Charity?” Lady Norwich asked, a hardness