The door closed with a slam. It wasn’t an empty threat, so Felicity uncurled herself from her nest of bedclothes – in which she hadn’t slept a wink all night – and started the laborious process of dressing.
“Very nice,” Mrs. Thornhill said approvingly, eyeing the lavender-coloured muslin dress Felicity had chosen. “You’re a little pale, and there are bags under your eyes, but morning light can be very flattering. Go on in, the tea is ready. I’m sure you can imagine what Lord Vincent means to say.”
Felicity, sleep-heavy and disoriented, could not possibly imagine what Lord Vincent wanted to say to her, but allowed herself to be pushed into the parlour, and the door shut tight behind her.
Lord Vincent had taken the best armchair near the fire, stretching out one booted foot to the blaze. He glanced up at her, grinning.
“Ah, Miss Thornhill. May I call you Felicity? I feel like I can. Are you quite recovered from your shock last night?”
“Yes, thank you,” she responded automatically, even though it was not true. “Mrs. Langley and Lucy are busy dealing with all the mess and contacting their guests.”
“Not an auspicious event, eh? The Langley summer ball has been a talked-about thing for decades, as far as I can tell. Well, now it will be talked about for decades more, but nobody will ever attend again.”
This seemed harsh to Felicity, and a flash of annoyance made its way through her numbness.
“Well, if they take the chandelier down, then there’s no reason why…”
“Enough of this,” Lord Vincent said, bouncing to his feet. “I can imagine you know why I am here, Felicity. Why I requested an audience with you alone.”
He advanced towards her, and Felicity retreated warily, putting the back of the sofa between the two of them.
“On the contrary, sir. I’m quite at a loss.”
He gave an indulgent chuckle. “You ladies must have your foibles, eh? Needless to say, I have consulted with your excellent parents, and have their full permission.”
Felicity was sure she was getting a headache. Headaches made her think of both herbs and Lord Lanwood. Arthur. Her chest contracted, and she wondered absently if it were possible to die of heartbreak after all.
I’ll make him that herbal remedy before I leave,she thought.He might not love me, but I can’t stand the idea of him in pain.
“I don’t understand,” she responded woodenly.
Lord Vincent smiled. His self-assurance was getting a little annoying.
“I would like to offer for your hand, Miss Felicity Thornhill. Do me the honour of agreeing to become my wife, won’t you?”
There was a brief silence.
“I… I beg your pardon?”
“Ah,” he laughed. “I imagine you supposed I would bring flowers, perhaps chocolates, and get down on one knee? I’m afraid that sort of thing only happens in novels, my dear. In the real world, these conversations are much more practical. As I mentioned before, I have your parents’ full permission and blessing, so this interview is, I daresay, something of a formality. Can I say we are agreed?”
He held out a hand, and Felicity stared at it. She felt dizzy, hungry, and thirsty, and was reminded that she hadn’t eaten and drank since before the ball last night.
“That’s very kind of you,” she said at last. “But I can’t marry you, Lord Vincent.”
He sighed, letting his hand drop. “I expected a little resistance. I am not offended by your honesty, Miss Thornhill.Felicity. But you must see that I am the best match you’re likely to get, at your age. Your parents are keen for you to be married, and you’ll have a substantial dowry. I have made my attention quite clear, and you didn’t rebuff me. In fact, I would say you were extremely encouraging.”
“I wasn’t permitted to do anything else,” Felicity shot back. The clouds in her mind were clearing, and she was unsurprised to find anger underneath. “You have been very persistent, Lord Vincent, despite my obvious dislike of you. A better man might have turned his attentions elsewhere. Sometimes, I felt as if you were almost enjoying the fact that I was forced to dance with you, converse with you, and spend time with you.”
He blinked a little at her vehemence. “You’re a spirited lady, Felicity. I admire that. But let us be practical for a moment. Put aside your emotions and think logically.”
“Oh, I am very capable of thinking logically, sir. I know that our interests are not aligned, our characters repulsive to each other. I know that you have more interest in my station and money than in me, and I have no interest in you at all. You’ve fixed upon me as your wife, for reasons known only to yourself, and you are aware that my parents will pressure me to accept your hand. All of these elements combine in a way to make it simply impossible for me to accept your offer. I am sorry, but there it is.”
Some of the confidence was draining out of Lord Vincent’s face.
“Felicity, it is all arranged. Mr. Thornhill intends to put the notice in theGazetteas soon as possible.”
“He may do so if he wishes, but I will not be marrying you, Lord Vincent. Not now, not ever. If this gives you pain, I am sorry, but I doubt that it does. Good morning, sir.”
