Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,16

time to become acquainted with some gentlemen, to dance with them, converse with them, and the like. Tell me,” she continued, “is there any gentleman with whom you are taken?”

Heat climbed into Rebecca’s face, and she shook her head.

“None?” Lady Hayward remarked, sounding a little astonished. “My goodness, then I fear I have failed in my duties thus far! I was certain I had introduced you to the most eligible of gentlemen!”

“Pray, do not think so!” Rebecca exclaimed, not wanting to injure Lady Hayward’s feelings in any way. “They have all been very gentlemanly indeed, with some being so good as to call upon me the following afternoon, as you well know, but Lord Arbuckle, for example, talks incessantly of his good fortune at the card table and Lord Winchester speaks very little at all!” She shook her head, a little frustrated with both herself and the gentlemen who had come to greet her. “I find them all a little lacking, Lady Hayward,” she finished, now all the more embarrassed that she felt such a way. “I do not mean to undermine your judgment nor your choices in considering these gentlemen, but I must admit to—”

“You speak the truth, and that is all that concerns me at present,” Lady Hayward replied with evident determination and not a flicker of upset in her gaze. “I would much prefer the truth from you than a pretense, Lady Rebecca. Surely you must know that by now!”

Rebecca smiled and looked back at the lady. Over the last ten days, she had come to think very highly of Lady Hayward. She was very fair in her judgments, open in her thoughts, and always careful to listen whenever Rebecca had something to say. She had encouraged Rebecca gently, had not pushed her when she felt uncomfortable, and had done all she could to allow Rebecca the freedom to make her own decisions about the gentlemen she had been introduced to. Lady Hayward had not forced her to accept a dance from any gentleman at all, had not eagerly pressed her towards a gentleman she considered to be very suitable indeed. Rather, she had spoken plainly about each one and allowed Rebecca to choose for herself.

“I hope you do not think me foolish in finding such faults, Lady Hayward,” Rebecca said suddenly, fear lurching in her heart. “I know that they are all very eligible indeed and certainly would do very well for me, but there is always something about each one that troubles me.”

Lady Hayward laughed and looped her arm through Rebecca’s. “No, indeed not, Lady Rebecca!” she exclaimed, a sigh of relief escaping from Rebecca’s lips. “I should not think poorly of you for exercising such caution! I have been the one to encourage it within you, have I not?” She smiled and shook her head. “Indeed, I would prefer you to continue to exercise such judgment, Lady Rebecca, for to make a choice in haste is never wise.” Her expression softened, her gaze a little distant. “It took me some months before I would even accept the attentions of my late husband when we were first introduced. He tried for the entirety of the Season to capture my interest, but I was not sure of him.”

“Oh?” Rebecca murmured, suddenly intrigued by all that Lady Hayward had to say. “But he convinced you in the end?”

Lady Hayward nodded, her smile now a little sorrowful. “My father remained in London over the winter, and thus I found myself often in Lord Hayward’s company,” she said quietly. “By the time spring had come, I was engaged, and our wedding was set for the month of April. He had thoroughly convinced me of his devotion, his affection, and his eagerness to wed, Lady Rebecca. And even now, so many years later, even when he is gone, I am glad that I chose to consider him for so long before accepting. Therefore, I would expect the same from you.”

Rebecca let out a small sigh, turning her head so that she did not have to look at Lady Hayward any longer. There was something both very beautiful and yet very sad about her story, and Rebecca’s heart was already beginning to ache. “I do not think that my father would be best pleased if I did not find a suitable match this Season, Lady Hayward,” she replied heavily. “I do not think that I have the same luxury of time as you.”

A smile crept across Lady Hayward’s face. “I am