Page 44 of A Mismatch Made in London

“I was trying to help you, to do what would benefit you and Miss Moore. I never—”

“And how could you tell Miss Moore that Lord Gotthurst had no intentions toward her? She cried herself to sleep last night.”

I felt my cheeks start to burn. I’d thought Juliet was asleep and hadn’t heard.

“You are cruel, Jeremy.”

“I wasn’t trying to be cruel.” The defiant edge was completely gone from his voice now. He looked at me. “Please forgive me, Miss Moore, for my insensitivity.”

“Insensitive is correct,” Juliet went on. “You were insensitive. I’ll have you know, Amelia is the best friend I’ve ever had. And you—”

“I know, Juliet.”

“You have accused her of ... well, she is the best person in this room, in this house.Shehas been more loyal to me than I deserved.” Juliet’s voice cracked.

“I’m sorry, Juliet, Miss Moore. Please forgive me for all of my false accusations and insensitive behavior. I have no way of knowing what Lord Gotthurst’s intentions are.”

He said the words in a very quiet manner. He did look sincere, but I couldn’t help feeling humiliated.

“I was trying to help, and for that reason, if you can believe me, I hope you will forgive me. I was trying to help,” he repeated.

“Of course,” I said softly. I did believe him. And I just wanted this uncomfortable moment to be over.

“Give me a few days. I’ll make inquiries and find a chaperone for you,” Jeremy said. “But for now, I’ll take you to Robert and Marianne’s house.”

Juliet folded her arms over her chest. “Very well.”

It was an awkward carriage ride to the Lynch home. When we arrived, Jeremy and Robert left the room so he could fetch his newest “prize,” just delivered from the taxidermist, and Juliet relayed the recent events surrounding Mr. Shelley and Lord Gotthurst.

“And now Jeremy says he will get us a chaperone. She will come not a moment too soon for me, for I am so angry with him.”

“By the sound of it, he was only being a good older brother,” Marianne said with an apologetic half smile.

“Marianne, how can you say that to me? Do you understand how humiliating it will be to see Mr. Shelley again? How can I face him? And I was in love with him.”

“If you are in love with him, then you’ll be able to face him. Besides, he didn’t have to continue to see you after he and Lord Gotthurst danced with you at the ball. It seems Jeremy’s plan worked. And not only did it work, but apparently Mr. Shelley and Lord Gotthurst did indeed enjoy your company and continued to seek you out.”

“Then why isn’t Mr. Shelley calling on me now? I haven’t seen him all week. And Lord Gotthurst doesn’t seem to be the type of person to lie and say he wanted to introduce his mother and then simply never call again.”

“Perhaps he is busy. Aren’t his mother and sister visiting from Yorkshire? And the week isn’t over yet.”

“That is true,” I said. “Perhaps he will come today or tomorrow.” I didn’t want to give up hope.

“Or you could always call on him. It would not be improper, especially given the number of times he has called on you.”

“I don’t think I’m brave enough for that,” I said. If he truly didn’t wish to see me or introduce me to his mother, it would be the ultimate humiliation to have him snub me and say he wasn’t home, or to have him treat me coldly. No, I couldn’t call on him.

We spent an hour with them and were home by eleven o’clock to await any callers.

At about three, a woman and her young unmarried daughter came, no doubt to call on Jeremy, although on the pretense of visiting Juliet, but Juliet told the servant to tell them we weren’t home.

I didn’t like that she did that. What if Lord Gotthurst came calling just behind them and heard that we weren’t home? But I knew that was unlikely. Just to be sure, I stood a few steps from the window, hopefully far enough away that someone on the street wouldn’t see me, and watched for Lord Gotthurst. But he did not come.

At five o’clock, my hope disappeared, replaced by pain. Had Lord Gotthurst decided he didn’t love me? Had he met another young lady who was prettier and more genteel than I was, someone with more regal manners, a more noble family name, and a larger dowry?

These thoughts were torture, but I had to think them. I had to face the truth.

Friday began much the same way as Thursday, with me afraid to hope but reluctant to think badly of Lord Gotthurst. Juliet wasangry and quiet one moment and behaving with excessive spirit and vigor the next.