“It was a lovely evening. I’ve met a new friend, Lady Kathryn. She reminds me of you, dear sister—rather quiet and reserved.”
“I’d love to meet her. Do you think she’ll come for tea some day?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll ask her this evening.”
“This evening?”
“Lord Fletcher and I have been invited to a musicale at Lady Castor’s home.”
“How exciting. So, does that mean you’ve decided to have a Season?”
“I’m not sure. Lady Devon assures me that participating in a Season is one of a young woman’s greatest thrills, but her daughter doesn’t seem to agree.”
“Why is that?”
“She believes gentlemen will only propose to herbecause they value her dowry, not her.”
“Do you think that’s true?”
“I don’t know. She’s lovely and kind-hearted. I like her, but she’s quite harsh on herself about her appearance. I sincerely hope what she believes isn’t true. I want to think that some day, a gentleman will see her true worth and propose because he can’t live a moment without her by his side.”
“Perhaps this evening’s musicale will be different for her.”
“I do hope so.”
Mia came bounding into the dining room and immediately frowned at Lord Fletcher’s empty chair. “Where is Lord Fletcher?”
“I don’t believe he’s come down yet,” Grace said.
“Shouldn’t we wait?”
Audrey didn’t have a chance to answer before she heard the voice she’d come to crave above all others coming from behind her sister. She told herself that she must get over her feelings for the baron, especially considering his aloofness these past few days, but her silly heart refused to cooperate.
“Wait for what?” Lord Fletcher asked, entering the room on Mia’s heels.
“Lord Fletcher!” Mia cried, practically bouncing on her feet as she turned to greet him. “You’re here. I thought you were abandoning us again.”
“My dear Miss Mia, I wouldn’t dream of such a thing,” he said, stealing a glance at Audrey.
“Good morning, Lord Fletcher,” Audrey said.
“Miss Parker, Miss Grace. I trust you both are well this morning?”
“Thank you, my lord. We are well.”
“Lord Fletcher, my sister informs me that you and she will be attending a musicale this evening,” Grace said.
“Yes. Lady Devon has graciously offered to secure an invitation for us,” he said, filling his plate at the sideboard before sitting at the head of the table.
“That was a lovely thing to do,” Grace said before looking at Audrey. “After breakfast, we must go and see if you have a suitable dress to wear.”
“I’m sure I have something,” Audrey said, although she knew that, even with the addition of her mother’s dresses, she had nothing suitable. None of her mother’s dresses, while quite lovely, were in the current fashion, and she would need to spend most of the day altering something to wear this evening.
“Miss Parker, is a trip to the modiste in order?” Lord Fletcher asked.
Audrey’s head snapped to him. Why was he being so kind and helpful after not talking to her last evening? It was most perplexing.
“My favorite gloves were ruined by the ducks. May I please come along?” Mia asked.
