Chapter Three
Felicity stood next to Clara, forcing herself to smile as she watched the ball attendees around her laugh and converse.
Society events, even back on the Continent, had never been something she enjoyed.
Collin had adored anything involved with socializing, but she’d shied away from them, hating all the games.
“I’ve noticed at least three eligible gentlemen looking over at you with interest,” Clara said, delighted.
Felicity grimaced. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry again, she did, but she wanted something different than her marriage with Collin. Her husband had not been interested in abiding by their vows, especially when it came to fidelity.
Guilt surged in her because she hated thinking of Collin poorly. For the most part, he’d been a good husband. Still, after the first few years, his interest had drifted.
Now alone again, Felicity had no practical or urgent reason to marry.
Financially, she and the children were fine.
If she were to consider finding another lifelong partner, she wanted it to be someone who chose her over and over again.
Quite simply, and maybe foolishly, Felicity wanted a love match.
“I’m not sure what I’m looking for yet,” she stated.
Clara nodded. “You needn’t feel rushed. Take your time, deary. My Harrison is in the same situation. No one seems to suit.”
Felicity’s gaze darted to the older woman, who watched her intently. She flushed, hoping Clara wouldn’t offer her son up as a suitor. The man already unsettled her. It would be horrid if his mother tried to play matchmaker for her and Harrison.
Trying to separate herself from the list of potential ladies, Felicity said, “I’m sure there’s some wonderful lady out this Season that will suit him.”
That type of lady, Felicity was not. Still, Harrison was handsome.
Honestly, she was surprised he was unwed.
He must be the same age as her husband. She’d married Collin when he was twenty-four, and she was twenty.
He’d stumbled into some event her parents were having and knocked her right off her feet.
She remembered the drama and its intensity so well.
It was a young love. Unfortunately, the passion didn’t last, but the friendship had endured.
“Well, that is what I hope every season,” Clara said.
Before Felicity could respond, a gentleman appeared and bowed. “Good evening, Your Grace and my lady. My wife insisted I try to dance with every woman at the ball tonight.”
“Felicity, this is one of our hosts, Lord Bromley.”
He smiled kindly at her. “My other half is off somewhere, I’m sure, sharing tales about a recent trip we took.”
“Felicity has moved to England from the Continent.”
The handsome man waggled his brows. “Yes, you are the talk of the night.”
Felicity blushed. “It isn’t my intent.”
“Well, my lady, would you do me the honor of a dance?”
She wanted to refuse, but it would be rude.
Felicity took his arm, and they joined the other dancers.
The dance was a fast one, so there wasn’t much time for chatting.
Surprisingly, she found herself laughing and smiling.
Lord Bromley was a charming, polite man.
When the song ended, he escorted her off the floor, but Clara was nowhere to be found.
A woman with pale blonde hair appeared in front of them. “My lord, may I ask you to join me in our study for a moment?”
Lord Bromley beamed at the woman. “Lady Hastings, this vision is my beautiful wife. Isn’t she the loveliest thing you’ve ever seen?”
The lady in question rolled her eyes. “You are over the top tonight, husband.”
“Never,” he said, holding a hand over his heart.
Felicity laughed, and Lady Bromley said, “It is lovely to meet you, Lady Hastings. Perhaps we can have tea one afternoon. I hear you are quite the traveler. I would love to hear about your adventures.”
“I would enjoy that.”
Felicity beamed as she watched them wander away, bickering playfully with each other.
That was exactly what she wanted—a long, enduring love.
It was a beautiful thing to see, and confirmed to Felicity that she was on the right path about what she wanted in a future husband.
A giggle behind her caused her to turn, and she found a gaggle of ladies peering at her.
Felicity smiled at them, but they giggled more and turned away.
Cliques and gossip might be what she hated the most about parties and balls.
Normally, she would find ladies like them merely irritating, but alone at her very first event in England, she felt vulnerable.
Suddenly, she wished she’d gone to find her parents in Asia instead of venturing into London Society.
Air, that was what she needed. She headed in the direction of the terrace.
Still, she kept her head held high, not wanting anyone to think they’d affected her.
*
Harrison walked through the ball looking for his mother and Felicity. The massive room was packed with lords and ladies enjoying the night, even though the heat was still awful. Lady Bromley had her staff waving large fans at people. He supposed it was a small reprieve from the weather.
When he was younger, most families departed the city during this time of year, but over the last decade, the lords and ladies of the ton had been staying in Town for longer stretches.
The world was barreling toward change, propelled by so much innovation.
They had the telegraph and steamships, and now there was talk of using electricity to power houses and businesses.
The last was probably still far away, but it was astounding to think it might be possible.
A young lady bumped into him, her eyes going wide when she saw who he was. She performed a deep curtsy and gazed adoringly at him. “I apologize, Your Grace.”
“It is nothing,” he said, continuing through the crowd.
Where were they, he wondered? Harrison glanced toward a pair of doors leading to the terrace and saw Felicity.
She was a vision in a shimmery purple ball gown.
Her hair was tied up on the top of her head, with a few wisps swirling down her back.
He found himself transfixed. She bit her lip, glancing around, and he realized she was nervous.
He moved in her direction, watching her step out into the night.
The urge to reassure her coursed through him. He reached the same doors she’d departed from and found her alone. If it wasn’t so hot, more people would be out, but the only escape the terrace provided this evening was from people, not the temperature.
“Felicity,” he said.
She glanced at him and forced a smile. “Hello.”
Harrison joined her. “You will not receive any reprieve from the heat out here.”
“That isn’t why I’m out here,” she said, turning to look over the darkened garden.
Concern filled him. “What is wrong?”
She wiped at her face. He turned her to face him and brushed away a tear sliding down her cheek. She had the most beautiful, largest brown eyes he’d ever seen.
“Tell me who upset you. They won’t have a second chance.”
A bark of laughter escaped her. “It was women gossiping. Nothing to really be hurt about. I just feel a little lost, is all.”
“Don’t mind any of the gaggles you see in there. Most of the ladies are nice, but a few of the groups are vipers. They are likely jealous and see you as competition.”
She wiped at her watery eyes again. “Thank you for your kind words.”
They were both quiet, but eventually, she said, “How am I supposed to exist in this world?”
Shocking them both, Harrison squeezed her hand. “I will help you, and so will my mother. You aren’t alone and never will be again.”
His words felt heavier and deeper than he intended. Their eyes locked, and something that felt like attraction flickered between them.
Harrison stepped back. This was his friend’s wife. He would not, should not, feel such things for her. Still, he needed her to understand he was there for her. “I promise that you and the children will thrive here. Collin would want me to ensure that.”
She took a deep breath, and for a moment, Harrison wondered if she also felt the connection between them, or if it was just him. Surprising him, she asked, “What was your falling-out with Collin about? He would never speak about it.”
Sadness clutched his heart because now that his friend was gone, it seemed like a fight that should have mended years ago.
“He wanted me to leave England with him and travel the world. I thought it was rather selfish of him to leave his estate behind. I told him to be responsible, and he told me to stop being such a bloody bore.”
Her brows shot up at his words. Harrison added, “I apologize for my language.”
Felicity laughed. “It isn’t necessary. It sounds like my husband.”
“I wish I’d handled it differently.”
She touched his arm in reassurance. “You’ve managed his estate for a decade. I would say you have been a wonderful friend.”
“Thank you.”
Felicity took a deep breath. “I’m going back in. I had my cry; now it is time to do better.”
“Shall I join you?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want them to think they affected me.”
He smiled and watched as she made her way to the door. Once there, she turned back and studied him. Harrison raised a brow.
Felicity beamed at him. “I don’t think you are boring at all. I hope you never took Collin’s words to heart.”
They smiled at one another, and then she returned to the ballroom. Harrison stayed out on the terrace, wondering why the fact that Felicity didn’t find him dull filled him with so much happiness.