not, he knew, want to know about the boredom of waiting around for days for the enemy to attack, or about the limbs blown off, or the stench after a battle. Nor did he want to speak of it.
“My father has always been closemouthed about his experiences,” Arden offered, amazing herself with her remark, which offered a sort of apology for Captain Richmond’s rudeness. She put it down to her unwillingness to see Heronwood discomfited.
Gareth was also surprised at her remark, and looked at her inquiringly.
“I used to want him to tell me stories of heroic deeds when he was home on leave,” she explained. “I finally realized that what he had seen was quite different from what I imagined, and I quit plaguing him.”
“I am surprised, my lady,” said Gareth.
“How so, Captain Richmond?”
“I would not have guessed you to have so much sensibility.” Gareth had spoken without thinking, and only realized after the words left his mouth, how insulting they were.
Celia’s mouth opened in a surprised “O”. No one had ever spoken to her cousin that frankly. Lord Heronwood tried to rescue the situation by making a rather muddled statement about how all young ladies, of course, had tender hearts, no matter their reputation. He only realized after he had finished that he had unwittingly referred to her notoriety and was ready to sink into the floor, when Arden, amused as well as angry with Gareth, decided she had better live up to her reputation and coolly suggested that they move away from such a distressing topic as the reality of war. She said it ironically, and Gareth’s impression that she might possess some deeper feeling was shaken. After a few minutes chatter about the latest farce playing at the Drury Lane, Arden moved off, claiming that Aunt Ellen was beckoning to her, leaving behind an uncomfortable threesome until the next dance was struck. Gareth avoided her for the rest of the evening, having done his duty for that night. He relaxed and enjoyed himself, since he had accomplished what he had set out to do: bring himself to Lady Arden’s attention.
Chapter 10
During the next week, Gareth continued to make himself very present in Lady Arden’s social life. He always made sure to ask for a dance or her company at supper in the presence of others, so she could not turn him down easily. After losing her temper with him once again, she decided to call upon all her so-called insufferability and attempted to freeze him. But he would not be frozen, not by her icy glances, nor by her holding herself like a block of ice when they were dancing. She could not understand why he kept corning.
Even with his promise to the earl, Gareth himself could not understand why he pursued her so assiduously. He could not say that he enjoyed her company, for she gave nothing of herself away, and for all he knew there was nothing to give away underneath that cool facade. And he had recently seen one example of her wit in action and felt like shaking her for her unthinking bit of cruelty toward the young Duke of Sutton, Simon Ballance, who tripped on a loose carpet edge and spilled his champagne all over the Duchess of Crewe. “Ballance? Ballance?” Arden was heard to say. “Surely Imballance would be more appropriate.” Luckily the young duke had more poise and self-assurance than Heronwood, and merely laughed good-naturedly at Arden’s witticism. Gareth himself did not feel as tolerant. He wished to take her over his knee and give her the spanking she had obviously never received as a child. He was rather horrified, for he did not consider himself a violent man, despite, or perhaps because of, his years of soldiering. And yet there was an attraction there, which he was convinced was mutual, that went beyond all reason.
Arden was aware of something between them but, having had no experience, was unable to put a name to the feelings of anxious anticipation that shook her when he approached. She considered him at fault
“My father has always been closemouthed about his experiences,” Arden offered, amazing herself with her remark, which offered a sort of apology for Captain Richmond’s rudeness. She put it down to her unwillingness to see Heronwood discomfited.
Gareth was also surprised at her remark, and looked at her inquiringly.
“I used to want him to tell me stories of heroic deeds when he was home on leave,” she explained. “I finally realized that what he had seen was quite different from what I imagined, and I quit plaguing him.”
“I am surprised, my lady,” said Gareth.
“How so, Captain Richmond?”
“I would not have guessed you to have so much sensibility.” Gareth had spoken without thinking, and only realized after the words left his mouth, how insulting they were.
Celia’s mouth opened in a surprised “O”. No one had ever spoken to her cousin that frankly. Lord Heronwood tried to rescue the situation by making a rather muddled statement about how all young ladies, of course, had tender hearts, no matter their reputation. He only realized after he had finished that he had unwittingly referred to her notoriety and was ready to sink into the floor, when Arden, amused as well as angry with Gareth, decided she had better live up to her reputation and coolly suggested that they move away from such a distressing topic as the reality of war. She said it ironically, and Gareth’s impression that she might possess some deeper feeling was shaken. After a few minutes chatter about the latest farce playing at the Drury Lane, Arden moved off, claiming that Aunt Ellen was beckoning to her, leaving behind an uncomfortable threesome until the next dance was struck. Gareth avoided her for the rest of the evening, having done his duty for that night. He relaxed and enjoyed himself, since he had accomplished what he had set out to do: bring himself to Lady Arden’s attention.
Chapter 10
During the next week, Gareth continued to make himself very present in Lady Arden’s social life. He always made sure to ask for a dance or her company at supper in the presence of others, so she could not turn him down easily. After losing her temper with him once again, she decided to call upon all her so-called insufferability and attempted to freeze him. But he would not be frozen, not by her icy glances, nor by her holding herself like a block of ice when they were dancing. She could not understand why he kept corning.
Even with his promise to the earl, Gareth himself could not understand why he pursued her so assiduously. He could not say that he enjoyed her company, for she gave nothing of herself away, and for all he knew there was nothing to give away underneath that cool facade. And he had recently seen one example of her wit in action and felt like shaking her for her unthinking bit of cruelty toward the young Duke of Sutton, Simon Ballance, who tripped on a loose carpet edge and spilled his champagne all over the Duchess of Crewe. “Ballance? Ballance?” Arden was heard to say. “Surely Imballance would be more appropriate.” Luckily the young duke had more poise and self-assurance than Heronwood, and merely laughed good-naturedly at Arden’s witticism. Gareth himself did not feel as tolerant. He wished to take her over his knee and give her the spanking she had obviously never received as a child. He was rather horrified, for he did not consider himself a violent man, despite, or perhaps because of, his years of soldiering. And yet there was an attraction there, which he was convinced was mutual, that went beyond all reason.
Arden was aware of something between them but, having had no experience, was unable to put a name to the feelings of anxious anticipation that shook her when he approached. She considered him at fault
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