Page 15
Perhaps not. However, as Lenora reflected, she was increasingly convinced she’d had a crucial insight.
Even on the day they’d first met, when he’d tucked his hand behind his back and bowed, she’d been captivated. But her captivation had been more than just curiosity.
She’d sensed he needed comfort. She’d wanted him to confide in her. And she’d wanted to be his friend.
“I suppose,” Nettie sighed, “friendship can blossom into romance.”
Emily nodded. “Just look at Mama and Mr. Vane. For years, they were friends, and now they are happily wed.”
Lenora’s thoughts turned to the lady Emily referred to as Mama—Emily’s stepmother, Caroline.
Having spent ten years raising Emily as the dowager Lady Redver, Caroline recently renounced her title and married her beloved, a decision Emily and Adrian fully supported.
“Eliza and Adrian enjoy marital bliss,” Nettie remarked, “and they only knew each other for a few scant weeks before they wed.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “Two things can be true, just like one river can branch in different directions.”
Nettie made a pensive sound. “Did you know a branched river is a bifurcation?” she glanced between Emily’s and Lenora’s incredulous looks. “Well, pardon me for knowledge!”
An affectionate smile spread across Lenora’s face. “Nettie, have you acquired any other riparian information that we should know about?”
Adrian’s encyclopedias had been getting good use since Nettie had moved into D’Acre House.
Nettie pursed her lips as if holding something back. Then, she added, “Branches of a bifurcated river are distributaries. A distributary is when a river breaks into two.”
“Very interesting, Nettie.” Emily’s expression withered. She turned back to Lenora. “But despite your attempt to alter the topic, I am still focused on you.”
Lenora looked away. “I would rather you were interested in something else. I’ve told you all I can, in good conscience, reveal. But you have given me food for thought.”
“Food?” Nettie giggled. “Mmm. Makes me think of cake.”
Emily elbowed her friend. “Nettie.”
Lenora ignored them both. She felt better now that she’d decided what she wanted from Asquith.
For now, friendship would be her priority. Of course, she hoped that eventually, like Caroline and her Mr. Vane, love would blossom.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t any idea how to cultivate friendship with Asquith. Asking him about his injury hadn’t worked.
What would?
“How did your mama and Mr. Vane become friends?” she tried again.
“I’m not sure, but Jonathan used to attend her salons. She prided herself on having gatherings where the conversation was frank, lively, and informative.” Emily smiled fondly. “I wasn’t present, of course, but I used to like to go to sleep to the murmuring of voices below. I imagine, over the course of many such exchanges, she and Jonathan discovered shared interests.”
Shared interests? Lenora’s hopes sank even further.
Her quest for Asquith’s heart was doomed if shared interests was the only basis of friendship.
She was unaware of any passions she and Asquith had in common. Then again...
Horses! The thought made her sit up straight.
Asquith was mad about his horses. Perhaps she should begin there?
At present, she only possessed the typical country-raised lady’s knowledge of them, but she would be delighted to know more.
In fact, when she was small, she’d grown quite attached to an old mare.
