Chapter 16 #2
“Only today. It is very likely that she wrote to both of us at the same time and Mama will soon have the news.” As Felix and Mr. Laverock had turned the conversation to the latest arrivals at Tattersall’s and were not paying attention, Sophia leaned down with a conspiratorial look.
“I believe it was the news in my last letter that prompted her sudden visit. Besides, she says they have nothing to fear since Augusta travels without any trouble.”
“How wonderful!” Camilla was looking forward to seeing her niece again, and of course her sister and Miles.
They would stay in Grosvenor Square, surely, for the Shaws did not have a house of their own in London.
And Pembroke might come to the house more often if Miles were there.
The thought quickened her breath before she could take herself to task. She must not care about that.
Mr. Laverock’s conversation with Felix came to an end, and they bid the Harwoods farewell.
He led her to the path that went parallel to the Row in the direction of the gate, keeping to his usual flow of light topics.
Ahead, she spotted Bernice walking with Mr. Pollard in their direction.
So that was where Bernice was! Camilla hadn’t seen her in far too long and hoped that it meant Mr. Pollard’s suit was prospering.
Mr. Laverock was in the middle of entertaining her with a story about Mr. Cuthbert, who was extremely myopic and had intended to invite Miss Thompson to dance, but ended up inviting her mother instead.
Camilla laughed but lifted her hand to draw his notice. “Will you excuse me for a moment, sir? I see my friend Miss Milton coming with Mr. Pollard and should like to greet her.”
“Of course,” he said promptly, falling silent.
Bernice and Mr. Pollard had not seen them yet and walked with their heads close together in what looked like an intimate conversation that she shouldn’t interrupt, but Camilla didn’t feel she could let them pass without comment for it would appear to be a cut if Bernice should chance to look up and see her.
After wrestling with her doubt, she called out to her.
Bernice looked up in surprise and her face, which was becomingly pink, transformed into a smile. Camilla could only return it, guessing that something momentous had just happened. Something she would not learn about until later when there were no gentlemen present.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Pollard,” Camilla said.
His face was flushed as well, and he looked equally as happy.
He returned the greeting, and as he and Mr. Laverock exchanged pleasantries, she turned to Bernice with an expectant look.
“I have not seen you in an age. Will you come to visit? Or shall I come to you?”
Bernice nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. It has been too long. I promise to come tomorrow if you will be at home.”
Camilla said she would be and after parting ways, walked in silence, contemplating what must surely be the good news she would receive tomorrow when Bernice came.
Mr. Laverock appeared to be observing all of Society that passed by, something he did at times, she noticed.
Given how many anecdotes on people in the ton he entertained her with, she couldn’t help but think he was cataloguing his observations for later.
And while she would not like that quality in a husband, it was very handy when one wished to be left to one’s thoughts.
At last, she too brought her attention to the other parkgoers, but it was only to notice they would soon intercept Pembroke’s path, who was not walking alone.
At his side was Miss Eubank. Camilla’s mouth rounded into an O, and her happiness disappeared in a puff.
His eyes were fixed on her, and he would have seen her nervous swallow and her unhappy countenance.
Absent in his expression was the warmth and teasing he usually reserved for her.
“Lady Camilla,” he said bowing. “Mr. Laverock.” There was none of the charm she had been witness to the night of the theater, and she could see why with Miss Eubank next to him.
Miss Eubank was very pretty. Slender and regal, composed—everything that Camilla was not.
It was a painful reminder of how unlikely he was to be interested in her.
Little comfort though it might be, she was proud of not having permitted herself to read too much into his flirtation.
“Good day, my lord.” She then greeted his companion with a mechanical smile. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Eubank.”
She must hold on to her Society manners.
After all, when Miss Eubank married Pembroke, Camilla must not set herself up for an enemy or cause awkwardness between Miles and his cousin.
He must certainly be bent on winning Miss Eubank’s hand, or he would not have sought her company.
Had he not given the young lady cause for hope in the past only to disappoint her?
He had even spoken to Miles about offering for her.
Since it had then come to nothing, and he was not a villain so as to do such a thing again, he must be serious now.
Any wisp of hope she had held on to for Lord Pembroke was now over.
After an awkward pause and no further conversation, they bid farewell and each went on their way, Camilla subject to the most terrible disappointment. It was hard to pretend in front of Mr. Laverock, but she forced herself to do so. Her happiness was at an end.
“How well do you know Lord Pembroke?” he asked her.
“Hm?” She looked up at him. “Oh, quite well. His cousin is married to my sister.”
“I see.” He fell silent, and Camilla could not help but inquire as to why he should care to know.
“Are you acquainted with Lord Pembroke?”
“Some,” he said. “But there are gentlemen in the club who are above my touch, and I am afraid he is one of them. I am not a peer, as you know.” He glanced at her. “That is something I find admirable in you. You do not judge a man on whether he carries a title.”
“Of course not,” she said, drawing her brows together. It was perfectly true, but that he would notice it made her think that this fact weighed with him. She wondered why it should.
“Miss Eubank has a reputation for only setting her cap at men of the peerage,” he said, looking at her from the side.
She ignored the look and hid her displeasure over the turn of conversation. “I do not know Miss Eubank at all, so I cannot say.”
“Ah. Well.” After a beat, he smiled broadly. “We are nearly at the gate, and I will bring you home directly. I do not wish for you to be fatigued before the night’s entertainment. What is it to be this evening?”
“You will think me unfashionable, but I have nothing planned tonight. Sometimes I like to stay in and read quietly. Tonight is one of those nights.”
“A woman of sense,” he replied promptly, in the way he often had of approving everything she said. Camilla returned a polite reply and realized that she missed speaking to someone who was not ready to approve of everything she said and how that was a very odd thing.