“I’ve never been, although I adore music of all kinds.”
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it tremendously then.”
After leisurely strolling for an hour, they’d made the circuit of one of the paths and headed back to the park gate.
“Gentlemen, thank you for accompanying us today,” Audrey said.
Both Lord Easton and Mr. Wallings bowed and bid them goodbye.
“What an enjoyable day,” Grace said as the group headed home. “I’m so very happy that we moved closer to the park.”
“Anytime you wish to walk in the park, you only need say so. If I’m not available to accompany you, take one of the maids or footmen with you,” Fletcher said.
That brought a smile to Grace’s face. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that and will keep it in mind.”
“Miss Parker, did you enjoy the park today?”
“I did. Thank you. And you?”
“It was very pleasant indeed.”
The fact that Lord Fletcher was speaking with her again gave her hope that they could soon have a frank conversation about their shared kiss.
Beckwith opened the door when they came up the stairs.
“I shall see you at dinner,” Fletcher said to the sisters. “I have some work to attend to.”
Audrey watched him walk down the hallway, and the joy she’d felt earlier in the park faded a little. She’d hoped he would stay and have a spot of tea with them,but after the few pleasantries about the park, he left her company.
When tea was finished, Audrey took a stroll in the garden. She could hear voices when she walked near Lord Fletcher’s study window.
“I’ll need my trunk packed.”
“Very good, my lord. I’ll take care of it.”
His trunk? Oh no!
Sudden tears welled in Audrey’s eyes, and despair licked through her core. The outcome she’d been dreading was here. Fletcher was leaving them, and it devastated her. She had hoped they could work out their differences, but it appeared that Fletcher was done with London and her.
She walked back to the drawing room, grateful that her sisters were no longer there. She needed to get her emotions under control and concentrate on finding a husband to secure their future. More importantly, she would have to find a way to bury her love for the man who didn’t want her.
Chapter25
The night of the operaarrived, and Jacob’s nerves were on edge. Miss Parker looked beyond beautiful in a lavender gown, as he’d known she would. No matter what she wore, she took his breath away.
“You look beautiful this evening,” he said when she joined him in the foyer.
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Miss Parker, um…”
“Yes, my lord?”
The familiar lump in his throat nearly choked him and prevented him from telling her how he felt. All he could manage to say was, “Are you ready to depart?”
He felt the same thrill as always when she placed her fingers on her sleeve, and he vowed tonight would be the night he told her of his feelings, but more importantly, that he would never abandon her.
Without even having truly joined the Season’s activities, she was becoming the darling of theton. If the musicale was any indication, she wouldbe introduced to many more gentlemen this evening. That thought didn’t sit well with him.
