you because he cares only for his own desires, and he would never desire something good. Yet were he to decide to woo you, to win your heart and make you love him, he would be successful. He takes what he wants.” His gaze held mine, his expression determined.
Little did he know I was just as determined. It was time to be rid of him.
I removed my hand from his. “He may be successful with others, but he would never be successful with me. With all due respect, my lord, I thank you for your concern on my behalf. But as you can see, I am resolved, more now than ever since you yourself admit that your cousin is exactly the sort of man I require. Your attentions will undoubtedly be better served speaking with someone interested in you, your title, or your opinions. In fact, there are some women just there straining to catch your eye.”
He stared at me in silence a moment before bowing. “Thank you for the honor of your time.”
“I wish you all the love you seek.”
He turned and walked toward the side of the room, and I finally breathed easy. Hopefully that would be the end of our interactions, excepting the wedding and perhaps holidays if things developed with Mr. Northam.
Surveying the crowd, I searched for Daniel. Guests made their way into the room, happier now that they’d been both fed and introduced to prospective companions. Many stood at the back, seemingly reluctant to claim seats, either because they’d just been sitting to dine and wished to stretch their legs or because they were waiting to see where others sat so they could position themselves to advantage.
By the end of the week, the hesitation would be gone. Announcements would be made. There was no guarantee, of course. But there was hope.
I would need to branch out, make more acquaintances if this endeavor were to succeed. Placing all my expectations on the first man I met was foolish. But the others could wait for tomorrow. Tonight, I wanted to relish in the hope—something I had not felt in too long.
I located Daniel near one of the windows, conversing with a gentleman. Both wore matching scowls. They were, no doubt, discussing the ridiculousness of such a gathering and bemoaning their need to see their sisters married.
I caught Daniel’s eye. He nodded his acknowledgment. The man next to him eyed me and said something to Daniel, who narrowed his eyes and said something in return. The man must have complimented me for Daniel to assume that protective older brother expression. The man wasn’t bad looking. A little shorter than I would have liked, but I wasn’t here to be picky.
Perhaps branching out wouldn’t be so difficult after all.
There were too many people between us for me to easily reach Daniel. Besides, Mrs. Hickmore had the right of it—relations did seem to get in the way of such things, and Daniel was the rule rather than the exception. But neither could I take a seat; the room was still too empty, and it would not do to sit alone and appear undesirable. I turned and feigned interest in the portraits, resolving to study the paintings until the assembly was called to order. Then I would find a seat. Away from Lord Williams. And hopefully near Mr. Northam.
The portrait before me of a woman with a thick lace collar and dark bushy brows bore no resemblance to the man in the next portrait, sporting a tiny nose and a large clefted chin. As I scrutinized the next few paintings, I realized that none claimed a resemblance to Mrs. Hickmore’s round face or Mr. Hickmore’s large features. I wondered if this entire wall of paintings represented a collection of strangers, portraits brought haphazardly together, bought for a discount because those who had commissioned them disliked them or couldn’t pay for them. I strolled slowly, studying the men in outdated ruffled collars and women in now-unfashionable high-necked lace, until I stumbled upon one of the smaller pictures.
Its oversized frame was easy to ignore, the filigree flaking in one corner to betray a grimy gray beneath. But the lone girl, arms spread wide, face lifted to the sky as though sunlight instead of rain spilled down from the low black clouds, held me captive. No darkness of feature hinted at secret disappointments. No downcast eye told of a past she despised. No doubt creased her brow. Instead, she radiated peace and confidence. She