The shame pinched anew, and I kept my face carefully neutral. But Lord Chudley had called! He had tried to see me, even if Grandfather turned him away.
I approached the table, my low spirits lifting considerably as I regarded the camellias. They were almost porcelain in appearance, with waxy leaves. I bent down to sniff them. Luxurious. Lovely. The fragrance tickled my nose.
“You do realize they mean admiration and perfect loveliness,” Aunt gushed as she reached out to touch a blossom. “Why, Mr. Sinclair, your gift is perfect!”
My heart stuttered. The boldest flowers came from Mr. Sinclair?
I fingered the card attached to the white flowers.
Dear Miss Grenville,
I trust this note finds you well after last evening’s delightful ball. Allow me to express my sincere gratitude for the honor of your company on the dance floor, not once, but twice. It was a pleasure beyond words, and I found our conversation as engaging as the dances themselves.
I am certain you captivated the assembly as much as you captivated me. If it would not be too forward, I would be most delighted to call upon you at your earliest convenience. I look forward to the chance of another conversation as stimulating as those we shared during our dances.
Until then, I remain,
Yours with the highest regard,
Chudley
I pressed a hand against my chest, soaking in those delightful words. His sister’s actions had alarmed me, but Lord Chudley proved completely the opposite. A perfect gentleman, eager in all the ways that mattered.
“I fear those are not my flowers,” came a low voice. I glanced back at Sebastian.
He frowned at the enormous bouquet. “I brought violets.”
Posies. I glanced behind the arrangement to see a charming bouquet of delicate flowers, so sweet and springlike. In a daze, I set down the card from Lord Chudley.
“Th-thank you,” I stammered as I reached for it, surprised to see the silver posy vase with the etching of a single vine.
“Faithfulness,” murmured Aunt, far more knowledgeable about the secret messages of flowers than I. “Lovely, Mr. Sinclair. Quite lovely.”
Also understated like the man beside me, who for some reason had rescued my brother from mysterious circumstances last night at the ball,danced with me only one time and with no one else, and now offered me the simplest of flowers.
He smiled again at me, the expression transforming his face.
Mr. Sebastian Sinclair was really quite a handsome man.
It wouldn’t do to get caught acting goggle-eyed. After all, I had no intention of marrying him.
10:Sebastian
I had the intention of becoming a theologian ... but now I see how God is, by my endeavors, also glorified in astronomy, for “the heavens declare the glory of God.”
JOHANNES KEPLER
I had learned several things so far during my reacquaintance with the Grenvilles. First, the colonel did not care for people. Much like my own grandfather, he preferred moving them as chess pieces, expecting triumph when his queen knocked aside the opposing king. Nor was he a man of social niceties, regardless of his demands that his grandchildren blend seamlessly with the ton.
I had the distinct impression I was just another pawn on his chessboard as I sat across from the colonel in his study.
“I have arranged for an evening next week to celebrate joining our families. All the papers shall run with the news,” he told me.
Yes, told me. Not asked.
Once, I might have laughed at such arrogance—perhaps even resented it. Tossed the announcement into the nearest fire and saved us both the trouble. But I didn’t.
Not because I was smitten. I wasn’t.
