She was standing in the corner of the ballroom—hidden, she had thought, out of sight and out of mind—a perfect place to vanish for the evening as she came to terms with what felt to her like the end of the world.
The end of my world, at the very least.
“Florentia!” A hand took her by the arm and gave her a shake. “Is something the matter? What on earth has gotten into you?”
It was her mother, Viscountess Betsey of Gillingham, who had come calling. She stood before Florentia, a look of utmostworry on her painted face, no doubt beginning to wonder if her daughter was suffering from a stroke.
“Oh...” Florentia sighed and pulled herself back into the room. “Hello, mother. I did not see you there.”
“What happened?” her mother asked her. “And where is Lord Breccan?”
“Lord Breccan?” Just hearing the name had Florentia’s stomach churning. “I suspect he has left.”
“What?” she squawked. “What do you mean he has left? Left for where?”
“To be with Miss Goulding, if I was to warrant a guess, although I did not think to ask.”
“Miss Goulding...” Her mother blinked as she searched to remember who this was. “The baron’s daughter? Why on earth is he...” Slowly, it dawned on her. Her face paled. Her mouth dropped open. She stumbled back and touched her chest as if someone had stabbed her. “No. Florentia, tell me that is not... you jest!”
She sighed and shook her head. “I am afraid that in this I am being most serious, Mother. He told me just now, rather kindly, to be fair, that his heart belongs to Miss Goulding, like...” Her lip curled as she remembered the wording exact. “Like the sun belongs to the sky.”
Who was Miss Goulding exactly? Nobody of consequence. Just one of the dozens of eligible young ladies in the ton who were in search of a husband. Florentia knew her a little and was aware that she and Lord Breccan were close. Obviously, she had not been aware of just how close they were.
“That...that is...that pig!” her mother snarled. “How dare he!” She then looked about as if hoping to see him. “I do not believe it. I refuse—perhaps you misheard?”
“I assure you, I did not.”
Her mother looked to be taking the news about as well as Florentia expected her to. Although it was Florentia’s life which had been dashed like an egg against a brick wall, her mother had been just as invested. After all, she was the one who had sought the initial pairing, and she was the one who had pulled the strings behind the scenes to see it flourish. No doubt she was even more insulted than Florentia.
“My poor girl...” Her mother wrapped her arms around her suddenly and pulled her into a hug. “I am so sorry. I cannot believe it! Truly...” She held her tight, stroking her back lovingly. “I do not know what to say.”
“It is fine, Mother.”
“It most certainly is not!”
“He did not love me,” she continued, saying the words because they felt like the right ones. “Best that I learn it now rather than after we wed.”
“Love?” her mother pulled back, lip curling. “Love has nothing to do with it! He made a promise, Florentia! And now...” She was shaking suddenly from anger. “And now he has not just wasted your time and mine, but he has made us both look like fools!”
It was not surprising that her mother cared more about the damage this would do to her reputation than her own daughter’s feelings. Truth be told, Florentia’s feelings were secondary. And, as for notions of love and heartbreak? Likely, her mother had not given them a second thought.
Was it so strange that Florentia was much the same? Now that she had time to think about it, to really consider how she felt, she had to admit that it was not heartache that besieged her, nor sadness at love lost as might be the case. Rather, it was frustration.
Florentia had not loved Lord Breccan. Oh, she had wanted to. She had tried. And she had led herself to believe that, given time, love would bloom between them. But, in her world, when it came to marriage, love was not the goal, and nor did she expect it to be. What Florentia wished for more than anything, the reason she’d had her heart set on marriage with Lord Breccan, was because she desired a family.
To have children. To raise them. To do her part, as was expected of women of her station. Perhaps not as romantic as true love,but it was a dream that she had harbored since she was a little girl. A dream which was now looking as likely as the sun rising in the middle of the night.
Speaking of love and romance...
“There you are!” Appearing from the crowd as if by magic, Florentia’s best friend, Lady Albina Bond swept toward Florentia and her mother. “I have been searching for you for an age, Florentia! Why are we hiding back here?”
Albina’s mood was a stark contrast to Florentia’s in every way conceivable. Her smile was broad and bliss filled. Her eyes sparkled warmly. She seemed to float as she came for them, almost dancing in the way that she glided. Everything about her spoke of happiness, and Florentia didn’t have to guess the reason why.
It was two weeks ago now that Albina had married Lord Elias Bond, a man with whom she was head over heels in love. An oddity for those of their class, as love had not been the goal when their union had formed. Despite the circumstances, love was what blossomed between the two, and Florentia had never seen her friend so happy as when she was in his arms.
“Albina!” Florentia said, letting shock color her tone. “You are back!”
“Just this morning,” Albina purred as she reached Florentia, took her by the hands, and gave her a kiss on both cheeks. “Elias did not wish to come tonight—he is rather tired, as you mightimagine. But I persuaded him...” She smirked to herself, the sparkle in her eyes growing. “Rather easily, to be fair.”
