opportunity as of yet, and knew not their compatibility beyond a formal parlour or arranged social function.
From his understanding of the responsibilities of title, marriages were arranged much like business transactions. He’d already blurred the line of proper courtship by choosing a bride who lacked standing, no matter she possessed innate poise, a lovely face and limitless fortune.
Their relationship had grown beyond friendship to admiration, one of mutual respect after introductions at a charity event where financial status outweighed lofty title. Still discomforted with his newly forced responsibilities, he’d enjoyed Claire’s connection to the alternate and more normal world he’d left behind. And there was no overlooking the wealth her family possessed, her father’s diamond jewellery business highly respected and remunerative throughout England.
With regret, he hadn’t a brother, father or uncle alive with whom to confer concerning his odd view of marriage. No family member remained to offer trustworthy advice and he was too embarrassed to approach Jasper with a subject that should have proven instinctive and ordinary.
With surety, a night of distraction would soothe whatever ailed him. He looked to the seal where he’d pressed his ring into the heated wax, bound by tangible, immovable responsibility. Indeterminate behaviour would rattle one’s brain if left unresolved. Better to ignore the malady until it failed to exist.
He placed the reception acceptance on a silver salver awaiting a servant’s attention. A distorted image of his expression reflected as he performed the task. At the least, certain items remained remarkable and clear. He’d made a commitment to Claire and a gentleman’s word was the very core of civility and integrity. An unexpected beat of melancholy coloured the realisation and he remembered the letters of his past, sentiments and words that lingered within him still. He needed to let go of the past and, most vital, he must cease reading the letters locked in his wardrobe drawer.
At half past eleven and not one minute sooner, for Mr Horne kept a fastidious schedule, Livie approached Lott’s Majestic with the erroneous leather boots, now returned to their original package minus the small burlap pouch. She’d left Dinah sulking in the carriage, unwilling to take the chance someone might spy their entry into the shoe shop and remark during congenial conversation on the occurrence to Wilhelmina, or worse, her sister’s husband, Dashwood. Best to stay as inconspicuous as possible within the morning crowd. With her gaze fixed and making purposeful strides towards the shop door, Livie crossed the street.
Never mind she couldn’t bear for her sister to believe she’d broken her promise. In truth, Livie now worked to right a wrong and return the boots, not the usual objective when she visited the favoured store. She’d left the shoe clips at home, unwilling to part with them just yet. The masquerade this evening provided the perfect opportunity to adorn her slippers and feel a tad regal, even if they served as part of her disguise. She’d send Dinah to return the clips come morning and claim an oversight on her part. She placated her conscience with the plan.
She’d almost reached the store’s entry when a stranger, a man dressed in somewhat ordinary attire, intersected her path and purposely bumped into her person, or at least she assumed so as he made no attempt to step aside as was proper. Worse yet, he stepped on the toe of her right slipper and the cream-coloured nankeen wasn’t styled to be trod upon.
‘Good heavens, you should watch where you’re going.’ Livie shifted the box to one hand and used the other to adjust her spectacles. ‘The streets are crowded enough without your careless misbehaviour.’ Perhaps she’d reacted too severely as the man eyed her long and hard, his eyes squinted in narrow assessment as if he studied her appearance before grunting a
From his understanding of the responsibilities of title, marriages were arranged much like business transactions. He’d already blurred the line of proper courtship by choosing a bride who lacked standing, no matter she possessed innate poise, a lovely face and limitless fortune.
Their relationship had grown beyond friendship to admiration, one of mutual respect after introductions at a charity event where financial status outweighed lofty title. Still discomforted with his newly forced responsibilities, he’d enjoyed Claire’s connection to the alternate and more normal world he’d left behind. And there was no overlooking the wealth her family possessed, her father’s diamond jewellery business highly respected and remunerative throughout England.
With regret, he hadn’t a brother, father or uncle alive with whom to confer concerning his odd view of marriage. No family member remained to offer trustworthy advice and he was too embarrassed to approach Jasper with a subject that should have proven instinctive and ordinary.
With surety, a night of distraction would soothe whatever ailed him. He looked to the seal where he’d pressed his ring into the heated wax, bound by tangible, immovable responsibility. Indeterminate behaviour would rattle one’s brain if left unresolved. Better to ignore the malady until it failed to exist.
He placed the reception acceptance on a silver salver awaiting a servant’s attention. A distorted image of his expression reflected as he performed the task. At the least, certain items remained remarkable and clear. He’d made a commitment to Claire and a gentleman’s word was the very core of civility and integrity. An unexpected beat of melancholy coloured the realisation and he remembered the letters of his past, sentiments and words that lingered within him still. He needed to let go of the past and, most vital, he must cease reading the letters locked in his wardrobe drawer.
At half past eleven and not one minute sooner, for Mr Horne kept a fastidious schedule, Livie approached Lott’s Majestic with the erroneous leather boots, now returned to their original package minus the small burlap pouch. She’d left Dinah sulking in the carriage, unwilling to take the chance someone might spy their entry into the shoe shop and remark during congenial conversation on the occurrence to Wilhelmina, or worse, her sister’s husband, Dashwood. Best to stay as inconspicuous as possible within the morning crowd. With her gaze fixed and making purposeful strides towards the shop door, Livie crossed the street.
Never mind she couldn’t bear for her sister to believe she’d broken her promise. In truth, Livie now worked to right a wrong and return the boots, not the usual objective when she visited the favoured store. She’d left the shoe clips at home, unwilling to part with them just yet. The masquerade this evening provided the perfect opportunity to adorn her slippers and feel a tad regal, even if they served as part of her disguise. She’d send Dinah to return the clips come morning and claim an oversight on her part. She placated her conscience with the plan.
She’d almost reached the store’s entry when a stranger, a man dressed in somewhat ordinary attire, intersected her path and purposely bumped into her person, or at least she assumed so as he made no attempt to step aside as was proper. Worse yet, he stepped on the toe of her right slipper and the cream-coloured nankeen wasn’t styled to be trod upon.
‘Good heavens, you should watch where you’re going.’ Livie shifted the box to one hand and used the other to adjust her spectacles. ‘The streets are crowded enough without your careless misbehaviour.’ Perhaps she’d reacted too severely as the man eyed her long and hard, his eyes squinted in narrow assessment as if he studied her appearance before grunting a
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