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She adopted a mournful expression. “I’m afraid she took ill several weeks ago. A malady of the lungs. She is staying away from London until she has regained sufficient strength to withstand the air.”
“Ah,” he said, nodding. “For the best, then. Lady Catherine certainly seems to be enjoying herself.”
“She is a most cheerful, easy companion,” Harriett said, her smile returning. “In all her life, I have never known her to be brooding or sullen.” No indeed. Cat never brooded. Her anger came and went as swiftly as a summer storm, and woe to the one standing in its path. But she never brooded.
A hard look came into Russell’s blue eyes as he stared at the couple. “Happy is he that marries a woman of open temperament,” he muttered. “His home will be a peaceful haven of sincerity as opposed to a nest of falsehood and discord.”
Harriett blinked at his bitter tone. “I do hope so, for her sake.”
Looking at her, he flushed. “My apologies, Lady Harriett. Forgive me, I spoke out of turn.”
“Not at all.”
He seemed to struggle for a moment, but then stood and offered his hand. “Lady Harriett, will you take a turn about the room with me?”
Mystified, she rose and took his arm.
When he spoke, it was in a hushed voice. “Though it is unseemly to discuss private matters in public, this may be the only opportunity I am afforded; therefore, I feel compelled. I would rather you know the truth from my lips than hear a falsehood from someone else and be misled. And yet I fear you will look upon me unfavorably for what I must say.”
“You may say anything to me without fear.” She might come to regret saying that, but she needed to know what had him in such a state. “Although it has been some time since we last spoke, it is my hope that you will view me as a friend.”
The look he gave her was both hopeful and wary. “You know of course that I was engaged to be married and that I recently withdrew my suit, breaking that engagement.”
She nodded. This was about Nanette, then.
Leaning closer still, he again lowered his voice. “I want you to know that I did not do so in the hope of renewing my pursuit of you, as you may have heard said. I did it because I came to understand the lady’s affection for me was false.” Stopping in a quiet corner of the room, he hesitated, searching her eyes. “You were never anything but honest with me, and I wish that to remain unchanged. If you desire only my friendship, you need but tell me and I will be content.”
This was not about Nanette. Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. “Lord Russell, I hardly think I can ask any more of you than your friendship.”
Still searching her eyes, he slowly nodded. “An honest friend is of more value than any false expression of greater sentiment. Know that I have the utmost respect for you, Lady Harriett. Please accept my humble apology for my past conduct. I blame the brashness of youth.”
George’s great toe! It was the last thing she expected from him. “We were both young and far less wise than we are now. Let bygones be bygones.”
“Thank you,” he said solemnly.
She breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Thank heaven that’s over with!
Then, as she was about to suggest they resume progress, he spoke again. “I made a request of you, one you answered graciously. Is there anything you would have of me?”
It caught her off guard. Think, Harriett! “Well…you were honest concerning your feelings for me then, I would have that same honesty of you now. True friendship can be built upon nothing less than absolute trust.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed, betraying his nervousness. “Very well. Although I did not intentionally design it to coincide with your reentering Society, I will say I am now glad to be unobligated. Were I not, we could not be friends.” He looked down, his pale lashes trembling. “I will in no way attempt to press you for more than your friendship, should that be all you are happy to give. Having said it, should there be the slightest hope…”
She ought to have been relieved. This was exactly what she needed. Even so, she couldn’t lie to him. “I do not know whether it may be so, Lord Russell. But I am willing to entertain the possibility.”
Fire returned to his blue eyes once more, and a faint smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “That and your honesty are all I ask.” He escorted her back to their table. “I must tell my father I’ll not be riding the hunt. Please excuse me for a moment.”
He’s changed. For certain, the Lord Russell who departed now was not the same man she’d known two years prior. He was still emotional and impulsive—she knew not another man who would have spoken to her so openly concerning his feelings—but there was something different about him. Few men were brave enough to break an engagement for anything less than a flagrant violation of trust. And few men had the courage to face a mistake and apologize for it. Most would sooner die.
Before she could move to sit beside Lily, Manchester stood and intercepted her. “I see your sister is making good use of her time. Winchilsea is a rather naïve fellow, but perhaps it is better that he should be so—for both their sakes.”
She refused to look at him. “I would much rather her marry a gentle fool than a cunning snake,” she murmured, edging her tone with acid. “A fool may eventually learn and become wise, but a snake will always be a snake.”
“Just be certain you can tell the difference,” he replied, inching closer. “A clever snake often hides itself behind a false veneer of gentility.”
“Every snake I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet has almost at once shown itself by its actions,” she retorted. “Which is why I base my opinions of people on how I see them treat others rather than on their outward appearance. Handsome is as handsome does, so to speak.”
“Are you implying you find me handsome?”
