Chapter Sixteen
Staring out the window was usually Honora’s favorite pastime, but today, she found herself staring without really seeing.
Her thoughts were fixated on something else entirely, and no matter how much she tried to concentrate on the people walking outside her window, all she could think about was Leonard.
He had seemed to enjoy his time with her yesterday, and while that thought should have elated her, she felt quite sick about it instead.
True to herself, she had rushed into a situation without thinking it all the way through.
His handsome face and difficult disposition had intrigued her, and she had always liked a puzzle.
But now, Leonard was asking her things she could not answer.
Such as any details regarding her husband, and why she had no friends.
Like she had told him—she did have one friend. Or, she did. Now she worried that even that acquaintance was to be severed forever.
As if her gloomy thoughts had conjured images, a familiar face exited a carriage just outside her townhouse. Honora’s mind flipped through names and faces until she came upon the correct one.
Mrs. Sophie Langford.
Honora watched her walk to the door, knock, and then produce a card to Wilson.
What could she want?
Honora waited until Wilson came in, holding the card in his hand. “A Mrs. Langford to see you, ma’am.”
With a swallow, Honora nodded. “Of course. Bring her in, please.”
A short time later, Wilson returned with Mrs. Langford in tow. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her head turning this way and that as she surveyed the walls.
“Mrs. Langford,” Honora said, smiling. “How pleasant it is to see you again. Please, have a seat.”
Her guest smiled and took the proffered chair. “Thank you.” Mrs. Langford reached over and ran a hand over one of Honora’s many pillows before returning her hands to her lap. “I apologize if my visit is unexpected.”
“Not at all,” Honora assured her. “I mean, it is unexpected, but a happy surprise.”
Mrs. Langford bobbed her head, her mouth tilted up. “Wonderful.”
Honora called for tea, but then a slightly awkward silence hovered over the room.
“I had enjoyed meeting you the other day at the Shepherds’,” Mrs. Langford said.
Fanny rolled the tea cart in, and Honora stood to pour each of them a cup. She rarely hosted ladies for tea, other than Laura. But she was happy to practice her skills as a hostess.
“I enjoyed the evening as well,” she said, handing Mrs. Langford her cup. “Everyone was so kind.”
“We are quite the bunch,” Mrs. Langford said with a smile. “And it was nice to meet another woman who is, shall I say, a bit unconventional.” She lifted her cup to her lips.
For a moment, Honora wasn’t quite sure what to say. She was unconventional, but most people did not find that an admirable quality. Had she perhaps found a kindred spirit? “You speak as if you yourself are unconventional.”
Mrs. Langford chuckled, bringing her cup back down. “My studies in mathematics makes a bit of a wave with certain crowds, though that has settled some now that I am married and working in a different capacity.”
“Oh?” Honora leaned forward. “What are you doing now?”
A look of peace crossed the woman’s features.
“Teaching. Or, I will be, whenever the school is finished.” She looked off, her gaze contemplative.
“I had always loved it, but felt the need to prove myself and put myself into a position that only brought frustration. Once I decided to go back to teaching, everything fell into place. But enough about me,” she said, shaking her head. “Let us talk about you.”
“Me?” Goodness, what was Honora to say? She had so many secrets, and this woman was connected to Leonard.
Depending on what Mrs. Langford asked, Honora would have to choose her words carefully.
Trying to keep levity in their conversation, she gave a small shrug and smile.
“I do not have much to entertain, I am afraid.”
Mrs. Langford’s lips lifted in a smirk as one eye narrowed. “I cannot deny that I am most impressed with your ability to intrigue Mr. Stanton.”
Honora’s grip tightened on her cup. “Intrigue him? Goodness, I would say more like drive him to the brink of madness. I fear he hardly tolerates me.” She took a drink, and yesterday flashed before her mind’s eye. He had certainly tolerated her then.
Mrs. Langford lightly rolled her eyes as her smile widened. “From what I’ve seen and what Andrew has told me, Mr. Stanton would never willingly show affection to someone. Not in a way as to be obvious, anyway. But the fact that he had you invited at all speaks volumes.”
“Oh?” Honora suddenly found herself holding out hope that this young woman’s words were true. “Surely I am not the only young woman he has spent time with.”
“According to Andrew, you are.” Mrs. Langford raised her brow. “Forgive my forwardness, but I fear if you are not told of his disposition, he will run you off.”
“If anything, I believe it will be me that runs him off.”
Both women shared a laugh, but then Mrs. Langford shifted in her seat and took a drink from her cup. She had every look of a woman who wished to ask a question but did not want to seem impertinent.
“Is something on your mind?” Honora asked. “I will not be offended.”
A surprised laugh burst from her guest. “Am I so obvious?”
“Yes,” Honora said, still smiling.
Mrs. Langford nodded again, as if summoning courage.
Finally, she relaxed her shoulders. “It is only that Stanton has never once mentioned a woman to my husband and me. And then, quite out of nowhere, he has Caroline invite you to dinner with us all.” She paused, looking at the floor for a moment before lifting her gaze.
“And then he reached out to me personally.”
Honora’s brow creased. “What do you mean?”
She swallowed, then set her cup down on the tray. “He came to dine with Andrew and I last night.” She paused. “Please understand I do not say what I am about to say to make you feel uncomfortable. I just feel you should know.”
“Know what?” Honora felt herself leaning forward.
“He asked me to call on you.”
Her heart beat harder, humiliation creeping up her neck. This woman did not come to see her out of friendliness, but of obligation. “Oh.”
“Oh, drat,” Mrs. Langford scrambled. “I did also want to call on you. You and I are similar in many regards. In fact, I had hoped to call on you again.” She put a hand to her middle.
“I only wanted you to know that Mr. Stanton asked for me to come here, as I believe it shows a fondness for you. Even if he is too proud to admit it.”
Or he wished to pawn Honora off on someone else. But if that were the case, why would he pick a woman married to one of his closest friends? If he truly wished to be rid of her, surely he would not have recommended such a close acquaintance.
“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Mrs. Langford said, waving a hand in the air. “I was only trying to help a friend.”
“Even against his will?” Honora smiled again. Perhaps this woman would be a good friend for her. She didn’t mince words, getting straight to the point. Which was much like herself.
Mrs. Langford smiled. “Yes. Even against his will. Which is how most things in his life appear to be done I am afraid.”
“Well, he is lucky to have such friends. Any person would be.”
Mrs. Langford stood, and Honora followed suit.
“I hope you will be willing to come and have dinner with us all soon.”
Honora’s head jerked. “Me?”
With a gentle lift of her shoulder, Mrs. Langford smiled. “And perhaps Stanton, too.”
“I really think you are imagining this attachment between Leonard and myself.”
“Leonard?” She smiled as if Honora had only proven her point. “And I think one would have to be blind to miss it.”
“Well, I thank you for your visit, Mrs. Langford—”
“Sophie,” she offered. “Call me Sophie. Most people do.”
Honora dipped her head. “Sophie. And you must call me Honora.”
As her guest left, Honora’s mind warred between two thoughts.
In one regard, she was elated to possibly have a young woman to call friend.
But another part of her mind struggled—wishing for nothing other than to solve the puzzle of Leonard Stanton.
Perhaps there was a vital piece of information missing.
And if there was, she was going to find it out.