He might have felt pressured.”
Sally’s eyebrows shot up. “Lord Reade? I doubt anyone could pressure him into doing anything he didn’t wish to do.”
“But he could have spoken. He didn’t.”
“With all those gentlemen calling on you?”
The undeniable and dreadful facts remained. “He wouldn’t give up his government position for me. I wouldn’t ask it of him, but I would hate it, Sally, wondering if he had been hurt, or worse.”
“Oh, miss. You look so upset. Let me help you into bed, and I’ll bring you a hot drink.”
“Yes. I think I will.” As she undressed, Jo felt exhausted and more miserable than she’d ever been in her life.
“Thank you, Sally. I am grateful to have you with me.” Jo pulled the coverlet over herself. She dabbed her eyes. In a tree outside her window, a bird fed its fledglings. Spring would soon pass into summer, and before she knew it, they would go home. The stark realization of all that entailed brought on a fresh bout of tears.
As the royal coach took Reade and the Prince Regent to Brighton, Reade arrived at the painful acceptance that some lucky devil would snatch Jo up. Providing her sharp-eyed father approved of him. He’d just better deserve her. Reade had never experienced jealousy. Didn’t think himself capable of the emotion. Why he felt a twinge now when he hadn’t even taken Jo to bed was beyond him. More than a twinge, he decided, folding his arms with a frown.
“You appear not quite yourself, Reade,” Prinny observed, surprising him. The Regent seldom noticed other people’s moods, as the world revolved around himself. “It’s this unpleasant business you’ve had to deal with.” He shrugged. “Such things go on. But to have it touch one’s own family is beyond belief. The matter is at an end. Roland will kick up his heels in France until I permit him to come home. Let him get up to his tricks over there. I am eager to show you the renovations to the Pavilion.”
“I look forward to it, Your Highness.”
“Nash has improved on Holland’s plan by replacing the north and south end bays with pavilions to create music and banquet rooms…” Prinny went on.
“A brilliant example of industrial progress, and the arts, Your Highness,” Reade said when called upon to make a comment.
“Quite so,” Prinny said, jutting out his chin. “It is said that my grand banquet held in January for the Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia was the grandest of all time. Antonin Careme created over one hundred dishes for it. A terrible pity you missed it.”
“It was. My father’s illness prevented my attendance, Your Highness.”
“Yes. Most unfortunate. And his subsequent passing. Ah, here we are!”
Chapter Twenty-One
Charlotte sat with Jo at the Duchess of Walbrook’s ball. “I’ve been hoping to see Lord Reade. Mrs. Lincoln wishes to thank him.”
“He might be away at his country estate.” Jo had looked for him at every social event in the last three weeks.
“Mr. Lambton called on me and Mrs. Lincoln yesterday for the third time,” Charlotte said, excitement sparkling in her eyes. “I believe we might suit.”
Jo smiled. “Oh, Charlotte, I do hope so. You like him?”
“I do. He’s sober-minded. And kind, I think. Mrs. Lincoln is confident he’ll propose. She has written to my grandfather.”
“I am thrilled for you.”
“Thank you, Jo. I expected to hear news of your engagement before this.”
“I’ve met no one I want to marry. My father wishes to return home to Marlborough, but he refuses to leave London until my future is settled.”
“I expected it to be Lord Reade. The way you danced together. You looked like a couple.” She sighed. “It will be a lucky woman who marries him.
Jo studied the fan in her hands. “He doesn’t appear to want to marry.”
“Do many gentlemen? Most wait until they’re forced by age or circumstances.”
Jo’s shoulders heaved in a sigh. “But never love?”
“Rarely, I imagine,” Charlotte said pragmatically. “Mr. Lambton is as practical as I am. We have clear ideas for the future.”
Jo’s spirits lowered. She was usually such a cheerful person, seldom down for long. But she’d been struggling to present a happy demeanor of late, which hadn’t fooled her father.
“They’ve called a country dance.” Charlotte rose. “Let me know if you spy Lord Reade among the crowd.”
“I will, Charlotte.” Jo doubted Reade would be here tonight. Even if he was in London, he rarely appeared at these affairs. She arranged her stiff features into a smile of welcome as her next partner approached her.
The gentleman