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Connie had to fight not to laugh right out loud in the Everleigh receiving room. To her knowledge, no one had ever seen through Henry Wagner before, except her. Connie’s heart swelled. Perhaps she ought to stay on home soil more often. It seemed there were more like-minded people than she had ever realized.
“I wonder what he’s conniving. It’s surprising that Lady Adelaide would invite such a one to her party, isn’t it?” Daisy was still musing over the man who was now across the room, much to Constance’s delight.
“It might be my fault,” Constance said quietly, which caused the young woman at her side to turn wide eyes filled with horror upon her.
“I am so sorry, I meant him no insult, perhaps it was a trick of the light.” Daisy stammered and stumbled through an apology of sorts causing Constance to fight laughter once more.
“Not at all,” Constance said, waving away Daisy’s anxious words. “I am not offended in the least, and I also didn’t word myself properly. It is thought that the man is courting me. I will not allow it, of course, but that is the rumour, no matter how hard I try to dismiss it. I am assuming that is why her ladyship invited the man.”
“Ah, I see,” Daisy said with a slight frown that indicated she didn’t really. Constance didn’t bother going into details.
“Ought I to ask Lord Adelaide to have him leave?” Daisy sounded a little nervous of the thought but willing to make the effort for Constance. Once more Constance was assured that coming home had been a good decision despite her current discomfort.
“No, no, that would probably cause more trouble than it was worth, although I certainly appreciate the offer. Thank you, Miss Alcott.”
“Well surely, if we’re getting personal, you ought to call me Daisy like the rest of my friends and family do.”
Constance returned the other woman’s grin. “Thank you, Daisy. And please, do call me Constance or Connie.”
“But only while we’re whispering, right?” Daisy asked with a giggle.
Connie smiled. “Shall we stroll outside? There was actually something I hoped to ask you.”
“By all means, then,” Daisy said. She gestured for Constance to precede her but then she glanced back anxiously at the other guests assembled.
“We can stroll later if you’d rather stay with the others,” Constance quickly offered. Even as she had invited the girl, she had realized she couldn’t ask her about her suspicions that she was getting up to something scandalous. If she was, what could Connie do other than scold her? And if she wasn’t, it would only cause uncomfortable feelings between them. She would have to be creative to come up with something else to say if the girl accepted now.
“But you wanted to talk to me particularly, didn’t you?”
Connie shrugged. “It was neither urgent nor of real note. It can wait.” She tried not to frown when Daisy appeared relieved. What was the girl up to? Connie resolved to keep a sharper eye on the other woman. She quite liked her. Connie couldn’t allow something to happen to her when it seemed she was the only one aware that there was even something out of the ordinary going on with her. Especially since Connie herself had aided in that lack of awareness. Guilt threatened to sweep her.
Just as Daisy was about to take her leave of Constance, her brother entered the room and relief swept through Connie instead. It didn’t matter if the reaction was illogical. She would allow it because she hated the anxious feelings that had been churning within her since she’d been informed of Mr. Wagner’s arrival. It oughtn’t to be such a trial for her, but she couldn’t help fretting over avoiding scandal. Especially one she didn’t want to be a part of in the first place.
A sigh threatened to reveal the depths of her low feelings, but Connie managed to swallow it down and still keep a slight smile on her face. The depths of despair were not a usual location for her spirits, and Connie refused to allow them to take up residence there. Florent took his sister’s place just as Daisy flitted across the room.
“Am I slightly more acceptable for Society now, my lady?” Florent asked sounding equal parts anxious and appalled to be even asking. Constance laughed lightly.
“Slightly, I suppose,” she replied, a tease evident in her tone.
Florent bowed to her in acknowledgement and then turned to survey the room.
“I see the guest numbers have increased again.”
“It would seem your neighbours are determined to fill their house to bursting.” Constance kept her tone light, having no desire to reveal her thoughts on the subject. But Florent’s gaze sharpened on her anyway.
“I think her ladyship is determined to be able to crow that she arranged the most matches of any hostess this Season without even going to Town. There is no question that she is the competitive type.”
“Has she always been a matchmaker?” Constance was genuinely curious. Lady Adelaide had debuted after she did, but they were slightly acquainted. Connie was more friends with Lady Adelaide’s older sister, but Ellen had never mentioned her sister’s tendency to matchmake. It was more the purview of older ladies or the mothers of daughters.
“I haven’t known her long but according to her husband, it is a new pursuit.”
Constance could hear laughter lurking in Mr. Alcott’s voice and she warmed to him even more. Perhaps there was something in the ale at Everleigh. It was turning even sensible minded ladies into flirtatious ninnies. She ought to keep her distance. She ought to leave. But that would smack of cowardice, and no one could ever accurately accuse Constance of that.
“Are you well?” The soft question, in the low voice, just behind her ear sent a shiver down her arms and a warm furl of comfort and something else in her belly. It felt for a moment as though he had caressed her even though he kept an appropriate, polite distance from her.
“Why do you ask?” Her question was barely above a whisper. Constance didn’t want anyone else to know there was even the slightest possibility that she was anything but perfect. But Florent seemed to have the uncanny ability to read her thoughts and intentions.
“I cannot say for certain, but it seems to me that you are uneasy. And I think it has to do with the new arrivals.”
