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“Abigail,” Flora said her friend’s name with a groan, and Lionel suspected that she did not wish for Abigail to be making such inquires on her behalf. He did not blame her.
“No,” Abigail said. “Think of how wonderful it would be if we were able to live in the same area.” She turned her attention back to Lionel. “You will bring eligible suitors our way, will you not?”
Lionel gave Abigail a tight smile. He was not sure what to say to her, and when he looked at his friend, her husband, Lionel could see him biting back a laugh.
He is no help, he thought.
“I will do my best,” Lionel said diplomatically as he looked down at his own cards.
Abigail turned to her friend. “And you must stop scaring all the eligible bachelors off.”
Lionel was taken aback by the insult until he heard Flora’s snort.
“If a man scares so easily, I do not think that he is worthy of my hand. After all, I am barely tall enough to reach a glass out of a cupboard, I am not sure what I could do to frighten a man.”
This made Anthony roar with laughter, and even Lionel felt himself smirking at the sentiment.
“According to your mother, you show too much intelligence when called upon. She gave me strict instructions that I am to keep you far away from any books whilst you are here in my care.”
Lionel watched as Flora rolled her eyes. “I did not know that my mother was able to send so many instructions prior to my visit.” There was a hint of tension in her voice, and Lionel suspected that she was not pleased to learn of such a thing.
He could not blame her. His parents had both passed more than ten years prior, but he did not think even as a younger man he would have appreciated their meddling in his life in such a way.
“You know that I am simply teasing. Read all the books you desire. I do not see the thrill of it, but luckily, my husband does, and he can lend you anything you could think to want.”
Lionel was watching Flora closely, and he could see the spark in her hazel eyes ignite at the mention of books. Something told him that reading was her favourite hobby, and he desired to ask her more.
“But I do think that we will have to have more eligible men over soon,” Abigail said. “We must at least tell your mother that we have put in the effort.”
Everyone, including Lionel, laughed at the slightly panicked look on Flora’s face. He suspected that Flora’s mother, like many, was a force, and that she had not just turned her sights on finding her daughter a match but making certain her oldest friend was complacent.
“Shall we continue with the game?” Lionel asked.
Everyone nodded, and for a moment, they played in silence, each one taking that opportunity to study their cards.
Well, three of the four were studying cards. Lionel was more focused on the young lady sitting at a short distance from him.
He could tell that Flora was uncomfortable, which is why he made no further inquiries on the subject. In his mind, he could not stop himself from wondering why she had not yet found a suitor.
He did not know her age. He had not bothered to ask. But he suspected that this had not been her first Season. Though he only just made her acquaintance, if one could even call it that since they had only shared a meal together, she seemed charming enough.
She was very lovely with her pale skin and light hair. Though she talked a great deal upon their first meeting, she had shown herself to be quieter and more reserved in their next. Lionel could see the potential she had.
Flora was the type who would make some man a very good wife. She would bring peace and harmony into a home, which was all a man could ask for.
He suspected that the men of Kent would soon be lining up outside of Abigail’s door even without his assistance.
“How is your love life?” Anthony asked, turning the attention of the group away from their cards and back to a ridiculous question that was not proper in mixed company. “I was shocked to hear that you went to London. I was expecting an invite to your wedding by the beginning of the fall.”
Lionel tried to smile at his friend’s harmless question, but he suspected that he looked more like a dog baring his teeth.
“Are you engaged?” Flora asked, her wide eyes full of innocence.
He noticed that Abigail was quiet. He was not surprised. The woman he had been courting was not friendly with Abigail in the way that some of the other women of the area were, and he suspected she did not desire to say anything that would offend him.
“I am courting a young woman,” Lionel answered. “But I have not yet proposed.”
“Good God man,” Anthony exclaimed loudly. There was a twinge of mirth in his voice. “She has been widowed for the better part of the year. If you do not make a move soon, you might find that someone else has stepped into your place.”
