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Perhaps he could offer her another one.
Nora was thrilled to have a day of respite. She was exhausted. Though she’d felt tired after her encounter with Titus, she hadn’t been able to sleep. Her mind and body had been too overcome with thought and sensation. She wished they could have lain together in bed, side by side, and talked until the dawn.
In the afternoon, she and Lady Satterfield sat together in the upstairs sitting room enjoying tea. Lady Satterfield was reading, and Nora was writing a letter to her sister. She couldn’t quite find the words to tell Jo what had happened with Titus and longed to see her in person.
Harley entered the sitting room. “Lord Markham is here to call on Miss Lockhart.”
Lady Satterfield set her book down. “Indeed?” She glanced excitedly at Nora before looking back to Harley. “Do show him into the drawing room. We’ll be there in a moment.”
Nora set down her pen and checked her hands for ink stains. She looked down at her day dress. It was appropriate for callers, but she hadn’t really prepared herself for visitors since this had been a planned day of rest.
Lady Satterfield seemed to read Nora’s thoughts. “You look splendid, dear.”
Nora considered asking the countess to tell Lord Markham that they weren’t receiving callers today, but it was too late for that. Besides, Nora loved seeing Lady Satterfield’s excitement.
Nora patted the back of her hair, which was swept up into a simple chignon. “Is my hair all right?”
“As I said, you look splendid. Come, let’s not keep the earl waiting.” Lady Satterfield stood and went to the door, which Harley had left ajar.
Nora followed her into the drawing room.
Lord Markham was dressed in riding clothes, his buff breeches hugging him with a perfect fit. Nora couldn’t help but notice he didn’t fill out his costume quite as well as Titus, but then she doubted anyone could. And now that she’d seen and felt Titus without any adornment, she felt thoroughly qualified to make such judgments. Even if they were scandalously inappropriate.
Markham offered a smart bow to both Nora and the countess. He rose with a smile. “Good afternoon, Lady Satterfield, Miss Lockhart. It’s lovely to see you today.” Though the comment was likely for both of them, his intent stare made it seem as if he were speaking only to Nora.
She responded with a curtsey. “And you, Your Grace. I am delighted that you’ve come.” She wished she could feel even the slightest thrill at his obvious interest in her. Oh, it was flattering and charming, but it didn’t ignite her soul the way one look from Titus could do.
“I wanted to thank you for the dance last night,” he said.
Had that just been last night? Because of what had happened after, Nora was positive it had to be the more distant past. But of course it wasn’t.
“Will you be in the park later? Perhaps we can promenade.” He looked quite hopeful, and for a fleeting moment, Nora considered changing her mind about staying home the rest of the day.
She offered a warm smile. “Actually, we’re going to have a quiet afternoon and evening, but I do thank you for the invitation. Another day?”
He nodded. “Indeed. I do hope you’ll attend Lady Burney’s soiree night after next. Lady Burney is my sister.”
Nora flicked a glance at Lady Satterfield. She couldn’t recall what their calendar held for the remainder of the week. It seemed last night’s events had turned her into a featherwit.
Lady Satterfield returned a subtle nod, causing Nora to answer, “Yes. We’re looking forward to it.”
He smiled brightly. “Excellent. I shall hope for the first dance. I shall take my leave. I wish you a restorative day, Miss Lockhart.” He offered another bow and again when he rose, his eyes seemed to bore into hers.
As he bowed to Lady Satterfield next, Harley entered. The butler looked to the countess and said, “Mr. Dawson is here, my lady.”
Lord Markham straightened, and a flicker of some emotion—a shadow of disappointment perhaps—passed over his expression. He quickly covered the momentary lapse before offering them both a final smile and departing the room.
“Show him in, Harley.” Lady Satterfield turned to Nora. “My goodness. Two suitors in one day. And they’ll see each other in passing.” Her eyes twinkled with glee. “Oh, this could become quite fun!”
A decade ago, maybe even five years ago, Nora would have agreed. Now, however, the notion made her feel slightly queasy. She liked Markham and Dawson, but when she compared them to Titus… She had to stop doing that!
Except she couldn’t. What had been a fantasy—an infatuation—in her mind, had become reality last night, if only for a short time. She’d caught a glimpse of what it was like to be held in Titus’s arms, and she feared anyone else would fall far too short.
Mr. Dawson stalked forward, his smile broad and engaging. He bowed first to Lady Satterfield. “Good afternoon, my lady, thank you for your kind hospitality.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Dawson, the pleasure is ours.” She inclined her head and angled her body toward Nora.
Dawson moved to Nora and bowed a trifle more elegantly. When he straightened, his gaze was captivatingly straightforward. Nora liked this man’s simplicity and artlessness.
