Chapter Eleven #2
“Mama, I am not going to go off with some gentleman and be caught kissing him,” she protested.
“I have better sense than that. I do need you to be patient with me, however. The Season is so new to me. I simply want to enjoy the events we are invited to and get to know a broad group of people. If I find I enjoy the company of a certain gentleman and he enjoys mine, as well? Then I will entertain an offer of marriage from him. But if the Season ends, and I have not found anyone who pleases me, I will simply go home to Millvale and try again next year.”
Val said, “You do need to be discriminating, little sister. After all, marriage is for life. You must choose wisely. If you find the right man, I will encourage you to wed him. If you wish to wait, I will support that idea.”
“You have already had your come-out delayed by your father’s sudden passing,” Mama pointed out. “That makes you older than the other girls making their come-outs. At nine and ten, Thermantia, you must not take too long, else you will be on the shelf.”
Con entered the room, greeting everyone, and then he took Tia’s arm for a turn about the room.
“What say you, Cousin? How was last night’s ball for you? Did you fall madly in love with anyone?”
“May I say something in confidence to you?”
“You know that you can, Tia. I view you as more than my cousin. You are as my own sister. Tell me,” he urged.
“The dancing was divine,” she began. “It was the rest that was a bit . . . off-putting. I thought there would be more conversation. Other than the baron I supped with—who was very nice indeed—I did not learn much about any gentlemen whom I partnered with.”
“That is why you will need Val and me to help guide you,” he told her. “Much of the conversation during the Season is superficial. If you feel a spark of attraction, however, we will thoroughly investigate the gentleman and see if he is suitable for you.”
“I am hoping if any call this afternoon that I will get to know them better.”
Con shook his head. “That really will not happen, Tia. Has Aunt Alice not spoken to you about how these morning calls work?”
“She has made me aware that gentlemen who send flower arrangements are particularly interested in me, and that many of them will follow up on their interest by calling on me this afternoon.”
“Those gentlemen will stay about a quarter-hour each,” he informed her.
“Many will come calling. I can see that by the number of flowers which fill this room. You will go from one to another, greeting them. Thanking them for coming to visit you today. Then they will be gone, and others will take their place.”
“This is not how I pictured things to be,” she revealed. “How do you get to know anyone? You have been coming to the Season for a few years now, Con. Perhaps you can explain it to me.”
He chuckled. “You see I am here in Val’s drawing room and not in any young lady’s. I take the Season with a grain of salt. My allowance is barely enough to get by on. Until I come into my title, I have no plans to pursue any young lady. No flowers sent nor calls made.”
“Thank you for being honest and looking out for me. I value your opinion. If I do find my interest piqued by a gentleman, I will certainly give his name to you and Val.”
Parsons opened the door and announced three names, her first callers, and an endless stream of visitors came and went all afternoon.
It was as Con had told her The afternoon passed in a blur, and Tia almost thought it pointless.
She even made her way to Lia at one point and whispered to her twin how unsatisfied she felt.
“I do not envy you,” Lia said. “Not after seeing how this afternoon has progressed. This is as overwhelming as seeing all the people at last night’s ball.
I feel doubly blessed to have met Rupert away from town and been able to get to know him.
” She grinned. “Are you certain you do not wish to come home with me after the Season and find a local Cumberland man to wed?”
“That idea is appealing to me more and more,” she replied, seeing Mama motioning to her to come and greet the new arrivals.
At the very end of the time designated for morning calls, Parsons announced a final visitor.
“Lord Forsythe,” the butler said, and her first dance partner entered the drawing room.
Tia had liked the earl and was pleased that he had come to see her. She did not recall him having sent a bouquet, however. If he had, his name would have stood out.
He bowed to her, and she offered her hand to him.
“You mentioned me being forthright last night, Lady Tia. If you do not mind, I wish to be so again.”
“That would be refreshing, my lord,” she said, laughing, already glad he had stopped by to see her.
“I wanted to let you know—in person—why I did not send flowers to you.” He paused. “I had fully intended to do so because I enjoyed meeting you last night and most certainly enjoyed our dance together. In fact, I hope we might partner again in the future.”
“I would enjoy dancing with you again,” curious as to why he had turned up and yet not sent the traditional bouquet.
He swallowed. “I owe it to you to tell you that I do not wish to court you this Season, my lady.”
Understanding filled her. “You found someone last night, didn’t you? Why, Lord Forsythe, I am delighted to hear that. Thank you for being gentleman enough to tell me this.” She smiled at him. “It makes me like you all the more.”
“I hope you will not be upset when you learn who the young lady is who has captured my heart. It is Lady Delilah Drake.” He looked at her, waiting for a response.
Beaming at him, Tia said, “I could not be more pleased, my lord. She is a good friend of mine.”
“She mentioned that to me last night when we supped together. I did not want to be the cause of trouble between the two of you, but I am quite taken with her. My father told me long ago that it was the same for him when he met my mother. That he knew instantly they were meant for one another. While I will have to ask other ladies to dance at future balls, because I cannot take up all of Lady Delilah’s dances, I fully intend to offer for her. I wished for you to be aware of this.”
“You are a gentleman in every sense of the word,” Tia praised. “My friend is blessed to have drawn your attention. I think you will suit beautifully. I hope that you, too, will become my friend, as well as Lady Delilah’s intended.”
Relief flooded his face. “Thank you for your approval, Lady Tia. I will not be calling upon you again, but I do reserve the right to ask for a dance every now and then.” He smiled warmly at her.
She thought Lady Dilly to be a very fortunate girl and only hoped her friend might have feelings for Lord Forsythe.
Tia could not wait to see her friend at tonight’s ball.