In less than an hour she found herself at Albina and Mr. Bond’s home. It was a country house, not quite as large as a proper estate, but built on vast tracts of farmland which Florentia was quite sure were owned by her husband. Albina met her in the drive as the carriage came to a steady stop, and not knowing of Florentia’s heartache, she was positively buzzing with radiant joy.
“It is about time you came to visit,” she said, sweeping toward Florentia and pulling her into a glorious hug. “What’s thematter? Enjoying yourself too much at home to see your best friend?”
Florentia forced a smile. “Something to that effect.”
“I am surprised His Grace is not with you...” Albina looked past Florentia and at the carriage. “He is not hiding inside, is he? Come out, Your Grace!”
“I assure you, he is not.”
“Most surprising,” she continued to joke. “The way the two of you were at the Turncott ball, I might think you would never leave one another’s side again.”
“Yes, well...” Florentia was doing her best to remain positive, but her friend was making it difficult. “He is busy today, so...” She shrugged.
Albina took Florentia by the hand. “Good, it is about time that you and I caught up, I think. Come, I have a table set for us in the back garden. Tea and sweet meats await!”
She led Florentia around the side of the house and into the back garden, a colorful landscape made of dozens of varieties of flowerbeds so that from afar it looked like a rainbow. At the center was the table to which she’d referred, parked under the shade of a large tree, already set with a saucer and pot of tea.
The friends sat themselves down and Albina continued to gush. “The timing could not be more perfect, truth be told. Elias has gone into London for the day. He would not tell me exactly where, but I suspect he is visiting the gentleman’s club.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Too much time spent with his wife, it sounds like.”
“I am sure he is missing you already.”
“No doubt,” Albina agreed. “Truth be told, I could use the break...” She sighed and sipped her tea, her smile still full. “You know, of course, that we are trying for a child. Elias has become a tad frustrated of late too, worried over how long it is taking. But as I have told him, these things take time.”
“I have heard as much.”
“Which reminds me.” She flashed her eyes wickedly. “You and His Grace...yes, yes, I know what you are going to say. That the two of you are simply companionable and friendly and there are no plans to have a child together. But Florentia...” She leaned forward, her smile eager. “We all saw you the other night. Elias and I, well, we have been talking and even he cannot believe how much his brother has warmed to you.”
Florentia felt a pang in her stomach, and she could not bring herself to sip her tea, lest she be sick. She looked ahead, refusing to meet her friend’s eyes.
“Be honest with me, for I deserve that much. What is going on with the two of you? Have you discussed...you know...”
“I...” Florentia swallowed, her chin beginning to wobble. “I do not know what you are talking about.”
“You know too well. Anyone with eyes can see how you both feel about one another, so tell me true, has he confessed his feelings for you yet? Or have you confessed your own?”
And just like that, Florentia burst into tears.
Oh, she did not mean to. She had tried to be strong. But Albina’s words struck a chord, confirming with Florentia that what she had thought she knew wasn’t solely in her own head. What was more, it reminded her of what she’d had, and she could not escape the feeling that she had made a grave mistake in ruining it.
“Florentia...” Albina gasped. “What is wrong? What happened!”
She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “It is nothing...”
“Clearly it is something! Is it His Grace? What did he do?”
“He did not do anything.”
“Do not lie to me.”
“I am not lying.” Florentia looked at her friend, her vision blurred from the tears. “He did not do a thing, but that is the problem.”
Albina frowned and leaned back. “I am afraid I do not understand.”
“It is...” She sighed. “It is complicated, Albina. And confusing. And I confess, I have no idea what to think. About any of it.”
Albina clicked her tongue and set down her saucer. Then she shuffled her chair around the table and rested her hand on Florentia’s lap. “Tell me everything.”
And that was what Florentia did...
