Daniel scowled, but Louisa shook her head, dismissing my words with a smile. “We were just going over the guest list for the engagement ball.”
Why hadn’t Daniel wished me to see the guest list?
My mother looked surprised. “Will there be time before the wedding?”
Lady Rosthorn gestured for us to sit. “We have decided to postpone the wedding for two months in the hopes that Alice will be well enough to attend.”
A lump formed in my throat at their consideration. My mother smiled. “That is very kind. Alice would hate to miss the wedding.”
“When is the ball?” I asked.
“One week.” Louisa beamed.
“We would like to assist you in whatever way possible,” my mother said.
“Thank you,” Lady Rosthorn replied. “We know you are busy nursing your daughter, and that, of course, should take priority. However, perhaps you would be so good as to provide a list of guests you would like to attend.”
My mother nodded and inquired further into the details. Daniel stood behind Louisa, a hand resting on her shoulder, and she continually glanced up at him to smile. I realized that with their engagement, I no longer possessed the greater claim to Louisa’s affection. Our relationship would be altered forever. I had lost my best friend.
After a few moments, my mother signaled to me and we both rose. “We will send over a few names.”
I hugged Louisa. “I am truly very happy for you.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “You will come early, will you not?”
“I will be there to ensure not a hair nor ruffle is out of place.”
Once back in the carriage, my mother said, “You lacked the enthusiasm I requested, but I do not think they noticed. It is a good match, and I will feel much easier once it is over. I only wish I could see you as happily settled. You will have to have a new gown. I was thinking green.”
“Blue. I want it to be blue.”
My mother frowned. “Are you certain?”
I nodded silently, trying not to wonder what it would be like to plan a wedding with Lady Williams while Lord Williams stood behind me.
Before Edward, all I had ever wanted was to be cherished as I knew Daniel would cherish Louisa. As I had thought Lord Williams would have cherished me.
What an utterly ridiculous desire.
Thirty-Nine
My father came into drawing room later that afternoon, halting my scales. “You have a caller.”
My hopes leapt. “Who is it?”
“Mr. Lundall.”
Would my foolishness at wishing to see Lord Williams never end?
“Would you like me to send him away?”
I hesitated. “Mr. Lundall came to the door? Like a regular caller?”
“Yes.”
This was something he had never done before. Perhaps something was wrong. “It is all right. I will see him.”
Mr. Lundall soon entered, hat in hand.
I stood. “Good afternoon, Mr. Lundall.”
He shifted his hat. “I hope I am not intruding.”
He had never worried about intruding before. “Not at all. Won’t you sit down?” I motioned toward a chair and took a seat near it. He sat and unconsciously fluffed the frilly white cuffs of his shirt, ensuring they created even circles around his wrists. With his red waistcoat and light blue coat, he looked almost normal.
“Your sister is recovering. I am very glad to hear it.”
“Thank you.”
He seemed in no hurry to continue the conversation. “Is there something I can do for you?” I asked.
Mr. Lundall nodded.
I waited. When he said no more, I prodded, “I would very much like to know what it is.”
He seemed to inhale a giant breath. “Miss Brinton, I have made no pretense of my desire for your hand. I am here to ask you one final time, please make me the happiest of men and be my wife.”
I should not have been surprised. And yet his manner was so different, so much less affected than normal, that I was taken off guard.
He continued, “I know I am not your first choice, that your heart belongs with another. Yet, here I am. I cannot promise you a title, for I do not possess one to offer. But you’ll be treated with all the courtesy and admiration you deserve.”
I scrutinized him. He seemed in earnest. Yet why would any man persist in pursuing a woman so determined to reject him? “If I may be so bold as to ask, why do you continue to court me when I have never encouraged you?”
“I thought it was obvious.” He flicked an imaginary speck from his glove.
“You have declared your attraction to me, but I do not flatter myself