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“I believe that he is interested in courting me. Lady Greenburrow had mentioned the possibility to another lady, or so I’m told,” Adeline replied. “Lord Simon may be interested in me. What do you know of his character?”
The maid arrived with tea, which presented a welcome distraction. WhatdidMarcella think of Lord Simon, and what was the best way to share those thoughts? Marcella felt herself torn between honesty and propriety, although her devotion to Adeline was easily greater than both.
“I can only tell you my perspective,” said Marcella, taking a cup and saucer in hand. “I would prefer that you not tell anyone what I’ve said, too.”
“I wouldn’t,” Adeline replied.
Marcella nodded. “I don’t like him,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I’ll confess to being already a little cold to him before Reginald returned, but since, I’ve grown to like him less.”
Adeline leaned forward, invested in every word. “Why is that?”
“There is something about him that I simply can’t put my finger on. I feel like there is something he’s hiding, some kind of secret.”
“He does seem like a cold and secretive man,” Adeline conceded. “That hardly means that he’s hiding something dreadful, though. I would warrant that most lords have secrets amongst themselves.”
“That’s true enough,” Marcella said. “That isn’t my only reservation, though. I can’t respect a lord who speaks so dismissively about my husband. He has mocked Reginald at every turn for not being a proper gentleman.”
“What Lord Simon says might not be delicately worded, but it’s not untrue,” Adeline pointed out.
Marcella sighed. If this was anyone but Adeline, she’d have assumed that the young lady across from her was taking the side of a man who’d insulted her husband on multiple occasions.
“I guess. It’s just my own feelings getting the best of me. There’s always been something about Simon that made me feel…awkward,” Marcella said. “Wary, even.”
Adeline slowly nodded. “I see your point. I will tell the lord that I’m uninterested if he asks. I do trust your judgment regarding the matter.”
“I could ask Reginald, if you like?” Marcella offered. “Surely, he’d know more about his cousin’s character than I would.”
“No, I think your observations are good enough,” Adeline replied. “Besides, I’d still quite like to wait on Lord Brookshire. If I just give him a little more time, surely he’ll come around to the idea.”
“Who can know with men?” Marcella asked. “They speak as if ladies are mysterious, unfathomable creatures when every woman I’ve ever met has seemed wholly reasonable, yet men are generally so capricious in their ways. I don’t believe I’ll ever understand them.”
“Agreed.”
Adeline placed her cup and saucer on the table before them. “So how is your writing?”
“I’m embarrassed to say that I haven’t done much of it since being wed,” Marcella admitted.
It wasn’t that Reginald had forbidden her to write or anything like that. It was only that being the lady of a house meant so many duties. She had to learn the estate and the staff, and worse, few of the staff seemed to know precisely what their duties were. It was surprisingly disorganized for a noble household. Marcella remembered what Anne had said about staff leaving quickly, and she wondered if the whole estate had simply been poorly managed.
“Well, I imagine it will take some time for you to adjust,” Adeline said kindly. “Marriage is quite a significant change, after all. You shouldn’t be discouraged for taking a break creatively. I’m sure the desire and ideas will still be there once you’re encouraged to create once again.”
“I know,” Marcella replied. “I think I’ll be better at writing now, too. My world has become so much larger since I married.”
“I’m glad,” Adeline said. “Truly. I worried terribly about your happiness.”
Adeline let her cheek rest against Marcella’s shoulder. Marcella smiled. “I don’t know what I did for God to send me a friend as selfless as you.”
“Who knows?”
Marcella placed her cup and saucer beside Adeline’s. “Reginald and I both detest balls, but I’m hoping he’ll be willing to take me to London for the Season.”
“I do, too,” Adeline said, straightening. “I would be dreadfully bored without your presence. Inconsolable, even.”
“I very much doubt that. Besides, you’ve fair Lord Brookshire’s heart to win. You must give him your attention, so you can win his hand and experience marital bliss as I have.”
“I intend to,” Adeline replied. “Do you know if Reginald intends to involve himself in any of the politics?”
Marcella shook his head. “If he does plan on it, he’s not mentioned it. I believe he’s interested primarily in helping the estate and the poor.”
