“Do you want to know why I was laughing?”
“I don’t care to know.”
“Well, you’re going to hear it anyway. I didn’t invite those two gentlemen to call on me today, nor have I encouraged their attentions. I was laughing because Lord Cawley couldn’t think of anything more interesting to talk about than the weather. I couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it.”
Hartley stared at her, and she hoped he’d see that she hadn’t been enjoying the young lord’s attention. She reached for him again, and he didn’t pull away this time.
“Jon, you must know you’re the only man whose company I desire.”
“Are you sure you don’t want another gentleman with no afflictions or limitations?”
“I don’t want anyone else, only you, my lord.” Tears pooled in Harriet’s eyes. “You must see that.”
Hartley looked at her, seeming unmoved by her plea or her tears. “Good day, Lady Harriet,” he said before walking away and vaulting into Zeus’s saddle.
Tears continued to flow down Harriet’s face. How had this day gone so wrong? Hartley had come to call on her like a proper suitor, and the minute he saw her laughing with Lord Cawley, he’d abruptly left, leaving her heart in tatters.
She fled back into the house and up the stairs to her bedchamber not caring about the visitors. How was she going to deal with the loss of Hartley? She threw herself on the bed, and great heaving sobs racked her body.
The bedchamber door opened, but Harriet was too distraught to even glance behind her to see who had come in. She felt a hand on her back.
“My darling, whatever is the matter?” Eleanor asked.
“He’s gone, Mama. He’s gone.” Harriet sat up and threw herself into her mother’s arms.
Her mother began to sing the sweet lullaby that had been her favorite as a child, the same lullaby she’d sung to Hartley when he was suffering.
There were no soothing words, only the lullaby, and after a few moments, Harriet’s sobs subsided, and she sat back. “I don’t know what to do.”
“What happened? Would you share with me what was said between the two of you out in the drive?”
Harriet nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Lord Hartley thinks I’m enamored with Lord Cawley.”
“I see.”
“Mama, do you know why I was laughing?”
“I thought you were enjoying yourself.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth. Lord Cawley is not for me, especially if he thinks the only topic of conversation I’d enjoy is the weather. It was absurd, and I couldn’t stop my laughter. That’s when Lord Hartley walked in. He misinterpreted everything, but when I explained what had happened, he merely bid me good day.”
“Perhaps it was merely a shock for Lord Hartley to see you with someone else. If he truly loves you like you say he does, then he’ll come to his senses and return.”
“Do you think so, Mama?”
“I honestly don’t know, my darling. I’m hoping for the best because I can see you’ve set your heart on him.”
Harriet nodded. “I have. I love him desperately. I’m sorry, but I cannot return to the parlor. I’m not very good company at the moment.”
“There’s no need. Lord Cawley and Mr. Pratt have taken their leave.”
“I owe Gran an apology for ruining visiting hours.”
“Shall we go downstairs and see how she’s faring? I’m sure she’ll understand your distress.”
Harriet nodded and let her mother escort her down the stairs to see her grandmother. If anyone could understand the depth of her feelings for Lord Hartley, it was Lady Dalling.
Hartley raced away downthe driveway. What had he been thinking? Lady Harriet was a vibrant young woman who should be with a vibrant young man, not a battle-scarred former soldier. He’d been shocked when he walked into Lady Dalling’s parlor and saw Harriet laughing with Lord Cawley. Despite her explanation of why she’d been laughing, it had cut him to the core.
