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Chapter Seven
As Selina and Faith began the walk back to the house, she turned to her maid.
“I imagine you heard?” she asked, wanting desperately to know what she thought.
“Yes, My Lady.” Faith nodded, pursing her lips. Her book was tucked dutifully beneath her arm.
“What do you think, Faith?” she asked. “That green coat of his is dashing, is it not?”
“I think you should be careful, My Lady. He says all the right things. But he also hasn’t mentioned ending his engagement.”
“Quite right. I suppose we’ll wait and see,” Selina mused. “I won’t do anything rash. I promise.”
“You have a good head for these things, My Lady,” Faith replied. “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.”
As they neared the house, her Uncle’s landau pulled up. Aunt Georgiana and Leah climbed out.
“Selina!” her aunt called out. “Such good news!”
“Where are you coming from?” Leah asked crossly.
“Faith and I went to the overlook for a picnic,” Selina replied. “It’s such a gorgeous day.”
“You’ll get very tan,” Leah said, wrinkling her nose.
“She’ll spend tomorrow indoors,” Aunt Georgiana said, seeming very certain about it.
“Will I? What’s afoot, Aunt Georgiana?” Selina asked, curiously, as the ladies all headed for the front door.
“Once the wedding dress is finished, we are having a little do,” Aunt Georgiana said. “Lady Morton and the Dowager Duchess are coming over to see Leah’s fitting.”
“Oh,” Selina said. “That sounds like a good time.”
“Indeed, it shall,” Aunt Georgiana said. They entered the house. “Come, Leah. We need to go and talk to Mrs. Stout, down in the kitchen. We need to begin planning what to serve.”
Selina and Faith watched as the two ladies walked off.
“It’s a good thing that you told him that you wouldn’t be going,” Faith mused.
“Agreed, Faith.”
* * *
Jasper made his way home, riding slowly. Pilot tossed his head, used to being ridden at a swift trot at the very least. He snorted, wanting very much to be told to race back home as if the devil were at their backs.
Jasper patted him on the neck. He’d take him out for a good gallop later. Right then, he wanted a moment to himself to think.
He had so much on his mind. He needed to convince Lady Leah that the wedding needed to be called off. And soon. He recalled his promise to Lady Selina—that it would only be on his own account.
When he arrived home, his mother met him in the hall. She held a letter in her hand.
“Oh, Jasper,” she said. “It’s good that you’re home.”
“What’s that, Mother?” he asked, half-heartedly.
“Lady Kirby has invited me to attend Lady Leah’s dress fitting,” she said. “And to tea with all the ladies at Kirby Hall.”
“When?” he asked uneasily.
