AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Seventeen
Constance stood by the window in the small salon she was hiding in. She would never have thought of herself as the sort to hide, but there was no other explanation for what she was doing. There was too much love floating in the air, and she could barely stomach it.
That also made her feel dreadful.
She was happy for the betrothed couples, she truly was. And perhaps if she repeated the words to herself often enough, she would believe them.
Connie hoped she had said all the right things to Peggy when that good woman giggled out her news. The giggles had felt very out of character to Connie and had set her teeth on edge, but she supposed any woman who had just been proposed to by a handsome viscount might be prone to a giggle or two. Not that Connie had any desire to become betrothed to a viscount handsome or otherwise, she insisted to herself and refused to allow her mind to linger on one particular heir to a viscountcy.
“Lady Constance?”
Her efforts not to think about him must have conjured him, she thought a little wildly as she turned from the window slowly, trying to swallow all reactions before she faced him.
“Mr. Alcott,” she replied with little inflection, offering him a slight bow.
“Could I please have a moment of your time?”
“I have nothing else to do at the moment,” she conceded, ignoring how very ungracious she sounded. She found it harder to ignore how handsome he looked when his cheek stretched into a half smile as though he couldn’t decide whether or not to be amused over her churlishness. Even though she hated to think he might laugh at her, she was feeling too miserable to muster any anger.
“Perhaps we might sit over here?” Florent asked, indicating the small alcove to the side; the two comfortable chairs appeared to be the coziest spot in the large, imposing estate. Connie fought against being charmed. She wasn’t finished wallowing in her misery. But it was challenging when his lopsided smile barely wavered despite her refusal to return it.
Connie forced herself to look past the end of her nose and her own confused feelings and really look at the man before her. She couldn’t actually fathom what he might wish to discuss with her but getting out of her own melancholy, she could see that he was nervous. She didn’t think it had to do with her, but since she was the only one in the room, she had an inkling that it might. A flutter began in the center of her being that she couldn’t decide if it was a good sensation or not.
Perhaps he was going to rebuke her once more. But if so, would he look nervous? She was no longer sure of anything. Her entire life felt topsy turvy after Peggy and Merton’s sudden betrothal. Even though she had thought she had prepared herself for the possible outcome, she clearly hadn’t done so.
She was woolgathering and Connie called herself to account and followed Florent’s lead, perching herself delicately on the edge of the chair he had indicated, feeling the need to be prepared for taking immediate flight should she feel inclined.
It took effort, but Connie tried not to flutter. Nerves coursed through her, and every limb wanted to fidget. Her hands clasped each other tightly and she placed them firmly in her lap, training her gaze to the gentleman’s face and admonishing her eyes not to faulter.
After clearing his throat a time or two, to her amazement, Florent actually reached up and tugged on the circle of the collar of his shirt as though it were too tight or he was not getting sufficient air. That further evidence of his nerves helped to settle her own and she sat back a little further onto her chair, not quite relaxing but a little less urged to flee.
“Thank you for sitting with me,” Florent finally began after another silent moment passed between them. “I do trust I didn’t interrupt you. You appeared quite pensive at the window.”
Connie shrugged. “I was pensive. I have much to ponder.”
Florent nodded. “I suppose the imminent marriage of your companion might put a damper on your own plans.”
“I cannot travel alone, unfortunately,” Connie agreed.
“And is traveling the only occupation you can envision for your life?”
Connie’s gaze sharpened onto his. What an odd question. She opened her mouth to reply but didn’t actually know what to say and so shut it with a snap.
“I didn’t mean to be impertinent,” Florent excused.
“It wasn’t necessarily impertinent,” Connie allowed. “I just don’t have an answer to your question. What else would you have me do? I have considered settling into a cottage by the sea and having cats, but I will still require a companion for that. My family cannot countenance my being alone.”
“Have you thought of returning to live with your family?”
“I cannot countenance that,” she replied immediately but softened her seeming rebuke with a smile. “As time will march on, I would have to be someone’s dependent. It will not be my home. Already it isn’t, but if my parents were to pass and my brother marries, surely it will be all the less comfortable for me. I need to make a home for myself or continue my travels. There isn’t much other choice for a woman, especially not a noblewoman.”
“Seems to me a noblewoman has more choice than others. Certainly, more than a nobleman.”
Connie was taken aback by his words. “Do you truly feel as though you have no choices?” She was shocked, and her surprise seemed to amuse the gentleman.
“As the heir, what would you have me do?”
“Ah, I see what you mean.” Connie nodded. “But did you never think to at least have your Grand Tour? Live a little before taking on the mantle of responsibility?”
