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But no one stood. No one claimed knowing any impediments. There was only silence. Blessed silence.
And then, miraculously, the rector continued with the service, and William breathed again. When all was over, William stood by while Louisa and her family greeted their friends and acquaintances afterward, nodded politely, and shook hands with the rector.
The first reading of the banns had been successful. Two more weeks, two more readings, and he’d have kept his promise to Louisa and they could marry. You must proceed with haste in courting Lady Louisa. You must win the lady over.
Perhaps, if he were fortunate enough to win her over, he wouldn’t feel such pressing guilt.
Two weeks seemed an eternity.
* * *
“You’re very quiet this afternoon,” Louisa said.
“What?” Blast, William thought. He should be conversing with her when he was with her, not analyzing the ethics of what he was doing. Or thinking about kissing—
“I said, you’re very quiet this afternoon,” she repeated. “Even more so than usual, I daresay.”
“Forgive me,” was his pathetic reply.
After surviving the first reading of the banns, William had invited Louisa for a drive in Hyde Park before returning her to Ashworth House. Amazingly, she’d agreed. William suspected it’d had more to do with maintaining appearances than any desire she might have had to spend time with him. He, however, hadn’t been ready to return her to the protective arms of her parents—or her brothers, who’d both looked quite menacing during the church services. He longed—
“You are the most aggravating person,” she muttered, interrupting his wandering thoughts once again. “I am trying desperately to understand you, but how I’m to accomplish it when you tell me virtually nothing, I’ll never know.”
They were nearing the park. Once inside the gates, she would be busy once again, greeting her many friends and chatting with all and sundry who went to see and be seen in Hyde Park in the afternoons—Louisa was not only exquisitely lovely, but she was also well-liked, he’d quickly learned, which would allow William to sit back quietly and watch. He would be free of her demands for conversation and her questions about his past. To be successful, one does not give away what is in his hand all at once, nor does he allow his face to reflect what he holds at any time.
William despised wagering. His father’s vices had killed his mother day by torturous day. And yet his father’s words had become ingrained nonetheless. He could still feel the burning welts on his back that he’d received as a boy whenever he’d succumbed—as his father had been wont to say—to “emotional outbursts.”
They had barely passed through the park entrance when Louisa’s hand moved to his thigh briefly before returning to her own lap. His eye traveled from her hand to her face, void of its color, to the source of her distress.
William had seen the distinguished-looking gentleman before. Today, he was elegantly dressed and seated in a dashingly turned-out barouche, a beautiful and lively female companion by his side.
The Earl of Kerridge.
William went cold all over.
The earl was obviously exceedingly wealthy, his carriage and horses of the finest quality. As the barouche drew up alongside William’s gig, William felt a fierce stab of resentment and jealousy.
“Lady Louisa, what a pleasant surprise to cross paths with you this afternoon. Lovely day, is it not?” Lord Kerridge said. “But surely you know Miss Hughes.”
William shifted the reins into his far hand and placed his other over Louisa’s fist. He’d heard of Miss Belinda Hughes. She was an heiress and a wealthy young lady, in her own right.
“I am indeed acquainted with Miss Hughes,” Louisa said. “How do you do?”
“Very well, thank you.” Miss Hughes shot Lord Kerridge a distinctive look that William knew was intended to point out her own good fortune at Louisa’s expense.
“Perhaps you would do us the honor of an introduction?” Lord Kerridge asked, gesturing subtly toward William.
“Oh. Of course,” Louisa said. “Lord Kerridge, Miss Hughes, allow me to present Viscount Farleigh. Lord Farleigh, the Earl of Kerridge and Miss Belinda Hughes.”
“Your betrothed Viscount Farleigh, I understand,” Lord Kerridge said in what could only be considered a dig at Louisa. “My felicitations.”
“Thank you,” Louisa said in a muted voice.
“I am the most fortunate of men,” William interjected, wishing he were more adept at polite conversation so he could smooth over the awkwardness of the situation for her.
“Indeed,” the earl replied with a cool glance at Louisa, who dropped her eyes. “Well. I have promised this young lady an ice at Gunter’s, so we must be on our way. Good afternoon Lady Louisa, Farleigh.” He turned the barouche with accomplished ease. The man was a dab hand with the reins as well; blast him for all his perfections.
It was apparent to William that despite the earl’s hauteur, the man’s pride had been wounded by what had happened. Louisa had accepted Lord Kerridge’s proposal, and William’s actions had made an end of it, so Lord Kerridge had made a point of showing her he had moved on quickly from his attachment to her.
William’s actions, on the other hand, were taking her from a loving family and marriage to a man she loved, who had promised her wealth and rank and security, to a dwindling estate wracked with debt and no guarantee it would be anything more than that. William’s envy of their former attachment matched the guilt he felt.
He watched Louisa watch the earl’s barouche as it wove its way through the other carriages holding other lofty members of the ton. Miss Hughes turned around briefly and waved at Louisa, the little cat.
“I must go,” Louisa whispered when the barouche faded from sight at last. “Please take me home.”
“Of course,” William said.
They rode through Mayfair in silence.
