Chapter 5 #2
“I despise the snow.” Muttering to himself, Joseph brushed the snow off his hat as he walked into the bookshop.
He had no requirement for any books, but the snow had begun to fall most unexpectedly, and he was a little farther away from his carriage than he had intended.
His plans to throw a ball were now fully in motion, and he had stopped at various establishments to enquire about all manner of things.
If he were to throw a ball, then it would have to be the very best, one that would be spoken so highly of; it would surpass all the other occasions that had been held.
That was his duty and his responsibility, given that he had such expectations of others.
It was only right, as Emily had suggested, that he hold to such standards himself.
Looking out of the window, Joseph sighed heavily as the snow continued to fall in sheets.
The carriage was still some distance away, and he did not want to walk in the snow and the sleet to reach it.
Yes, he was well dressed for the weather, but it would still make him exceedingly wet and he did not want that.
It would be best to wait for the snow to either lessen or pass altogether.
Moving away from the window, he walked back towards the door of the shop, letting his gaze pass dully over all the many shelves of books.
The door opened suddenly, and two ladies hurried in, the second one exclaiming aloud over the snow.
Joseph grimaced. Her voice was a little too loud for a bookshop.
“Had I known about the snow, Florence, then I would not have suggested we come out!”
“It is quite all right. I have to say that I do like the snow, although it is very cold indeed!” The first lady turned her head to smile at the second, and Joseph’s breath hitched most unexpectedly.
Lady Florence’s cheeks were pink from the cold, her eyes alive with evident happiness from being outdoors in the snowstorm.
There was an easiness in her manner, perhaps even a confidence about her that Joseph had not expected to see.
This was not the same lady he had met the previous evening, was it?
“Come, there is certain to be something new for us to read!” the first lady said, as Joseph recognized her as Lady Wickton. “This way, Florence.”
A strange urgency to have her see him and acknowledge him rose so fast and with such strength, Joseph’s mouth opened before he could stop himself. “Lady Florence.”
The moment he spoke, Lady Florence’s expression changed.
She started visibly, turning to look at him as the color faded from her cheeks.
The vivacity in her blue eyes faded as she swallowed and then bobbed a quick curtsy.
“Good afternoon, Lord Applegate.” Her eyes darted to her left, but Lady Wickton had already stepped away, having missed Joseph’s presence.
“Forgive me, but I must go after Lady Wickton.”
“Wait, if you please.” It was more of a command than a request, even though he had not meant it to be so.
Reaching out one hand so that she could not turn away from him fully, Joseph’s fingers caught hers for only a moment, his hand quickly falling away as she pulled back sharply, her eyes rounding.
Joseph cleared his throat, sensing the need to apologize for having touched her hand but choosing not to.
Emily’s words rang in his mind, and he winced, looking away from Lady Florence.
He would certainly be deeply critical of any gentleman who took the hand of a lady in such a way as he had done, but Joseph was not about to speak any words of apology. It was not something he had ever done.
“Lord Applegate, I must go to Lady Wickton.” Lady Florence looked away from him, only throwing a glance back in his direction. “If you will excuse me?”
“I do hope that you are all right.”
When Lady Florence’s eyes darted to his, Joseph grimaced at how ill-considered his words had been. He had thought he would speak with a little more refinement and consideration.
“I did not mean to strike you,” he said, choosing his words with a good deal more care this time. “It was an accident, as I am sure you understood.”
Lady Florence blinked, then pressed her lips tightly together. Tightening his jaw, Joseph’s conscience began to push down hard upon his heart, and he grimaced, turning his head away from her so that he would not have to look into her eyes.
“I…” Trailing off, Joseph closed his eyes briefly, his hand curling into a tight fist as he fought against his conscience.
When he opened them again, Lady Florence was looking at him with curiosity in her gaze, though she quickly tugged it away when their eyes met.
Her light brown curls danced as she twisted her head away from him, her hands together in front of her.
Joseph let out a sigh. “I am sorry, Lady Florence.”
The moment he spoke those words, Lady Florence seemed to stand a little taller.
Her head lifted, and she looked at him again, and this time, she managed to keep her gaze upon him.
An uncomfortable sensation began to prickle up Joseph’s spine, an awareness that what he had said was not only discomfiting but brought with it a lightness that he had not expected.
“I thank you, Lord Applegate.”
Joseph cleared his throat and nodded, his task done and his conscience no longer burning. “But of course. As I have said, it was an accident, but I ought to have been a little more aware of your nearness to me.”
The corner of her mouth edged upwards, and Joseph’s heart slammed into his ribs at the sight.
It was a most peculiar reaction, one that he had not expected and certainly did not want!
Rubbing one hand over his eyes, he nodded and then turned swiftly away, marching to the door and pulling it open hard.
The wind snatched his breath away and nearly took his hat with it.
Joseph grabbed onto it and slammed it back on his head, heedless now to the snow and the sleet.
The feelings that had arisen when Lady Florence had smiled at him – and smiled only just a little – were more than a little overwhelming.
He was not at all pleased with them and did not want them to linger at all.
Thus, he strode into the wind and the cold, pushing them all from him and making his way towards the carriage.
He had plenty of other things to be thinking of, and none of them included Lady Florence.