Page 57 of A Mismatch Made in London

“You don’t love me, then.” He sat back on his heels, then jumped to his feet.

I stood too. I wanted to say something that would reassure him, comfort him.

“What were you about, Miss Moore? You led me to believe you felt as much for me as I felt for you. I thought you were sweet and innocent, good and kind. Is this kind, to lead me into making a proposal of marriage? I’ll have you know I am a very wealthy man. My estate in Lincolnshire is much larger than anything in the entire county of Buckinghamshire. I would have married you without even meeting your parents, knowing your dowry was very small.”

By this time I was beginning to think less of his pain and more of his unpleasant attitude.

“I told you I needed time, but I think I can give you my answer now, and I must refuse.”

His lips were pressed together, and I could see his shoulders rising and falling with each breath. After a few moments, he said,“I thank you for your time, Miss Moore. Forgive me for troubling you with my sentiments. I shall not bother you again.”

He turned and threw open the door and walked out without looking back.

I let out a shaky breath, sank down on the sofa, and put my head in my hands.

16

“You should never burn a bridge, my mother always said.” Mrs. Kendall was wringing her hands and pacing back and forth across the sitting room. “Are you sure you refused him? You could take it back. Write him a letter telling him you’re sorry ... No, that would not be good.”

And I wouldn’t have done it anyway, for I wasn’t sorry. How could I marry a man whose attitude was like that of a child? Why had he asked me to marry him anyway? He hadn’t said a word about love, and yet he was angry that I refused his proposal. If he’d loved me, wouldn’t he have been sad rather than angry?

But my heart sank when I thought about Mrs. Kendall telling my mother about this. How selfish I must seem. Mr. Harper was rich and young and handsome, and he could have helped my brothers and sisters, just in the fact that he was my husband, to make equally good matches.Oh, Mama, I’m so sorry.

I felt guilty, and yet how could I have answered him any other way?

“Are you listening?” Mrs. Kendall said.

“Forgive me.”

“I said, I think you should write him a letter, apologizing. Say you were confused but you realize you made a mistake.”

“No, I cannot do that, for it was not a mistake.”

Mrs. Kendall sighed heavily. “Very well. Perhaps it will all turn out for the best.” But she did not sound as if she thought so.

We sat in silence for a while, with Algernon passing through, telling his mother he was going out to the club.

“Very good. Will you be home for dinner?”

“No, I don’t expect so,” he said, and went down the hall.

A few moments later, Mrs. Kendall said in a whisper, “Is the reason you refused Mr. Harper because you are in love with Algernon? For if you are, I do think he could be persuaded to marry you.”

“Oh no.” I tried not to look too horrified. “No, I’m not in love with Algernon, but thank you for thinking he might marry me.” I tried to look gracious.

“Well, now, you could do worse than Algie. He will have a good income when his father and I are gone, and his wife would be well set up.”

“I do not doubt it. I am sure he will make some woman very happy, but...”

“Say no more. I only thought I would mention it.”

“Of course. I am grateful. And I am sorry. I hope you do not think badly of me for refusing Mr. Harper. I ... I just couldn’t have been happy with him.”

“Do not fret, my dear. You are doing very well for your first Season, I daresay, and you will find your match yet. We have several more weeks. We shall just go to balls and assemblies and see what we may see. I know many more people, gentlemen you have not yet met.

“There are balls nearly every night this week, and we shall attend them all,” Mrs. Kendall went on. “On the nights that there are no balls, we shall go to a concert, or I shall host a dinner here. I have a few favors I can ask, introductions that can be made to eligible young gentlemen. Yes, there is much more we can do. Hope is not lost yet, my dear.”

“You are very kind, Aunt. I thank you.” Indeed, I could hardly have asked for a better ally in finding a husband. I felt such a swell of gratitude toward her. But my time was growing short, the time and opportunity, at least for this Season, to gratify my aunt’s wish and honor her efforts. Not to mention my siblings, who would need every connection they could claim.