He nodded once. “I understand. I’m a patient man, Genie.”
She looked up at him. “I’m not making any promises.”
“And I have no expectations.” He smiled broadly. “Just all the hope in the world.”
After dinner that night, the women adjourned to the drawing room as usual. Genie took a chair situated with a small settee and another pair of chairs. Lady Bradford, Mrs. Grey, and Lady Clinton joined her as the other ladies gathered together near the fireplace.
Genie knew Lady Bradford—Lettie—quite well and was somewhat acquainted with Mrs. Grey. She’d met Lady Clinton only a few times. Lady Clinton and Mrs. Grey sat together on the settee, while Lettie sat in a chair angled next to Genie’s.
Lady Clinton, who was several years younger than Genie with dark red hair and wide brown eyes, glanced around at everyone in their circle. “Lady Cosford has done such a wonderful job with this party. I can’t believe it’s almost half over. Do you think there is any chance she can make it last longer?”
“You’re missing your children as much as I am?” Mrs. Grey asked sardonically. She was perhaps even younger than Lady Clinton, which made Genie realize she might very well be one of the oldest guests, if not the oldest. They both laughed, and Lettie joined in.
Genie smiled but couldn’t bring herself to laugh with the others. She had no children of her own, not anymore. She had her stepson, Titus, of course, but he was well past the age of depending on her. Her daughter, Eliza, would be sixteen if she’d lived. Sometimes, Genie thought about the things they would be doing.
“My apologies, Genie,” Lettie said warmly. She knew Genie had lost Eliza to illness at the age of three.
“It’s all right. It is a nice party.” Nice. That word didn’t adequately describe Lord Satterfield’s kiss. Was she really going to continue to think of him as “Lord Satterfield” now? Did he go by Edmund or some other name?
Mrs. Grey turned toward Genie, her blue eyes inquisitive. “Your Grace, why didn’t you play blind man’s buff earlier?”
Genie considered telling her a fib—that she didn’t like to be blindfolded or she hated feeling dizzy. But instead, she was honest. “I’m not quite ready for a match.”
“Kissing isn’t a match, especially at this party,” Lady Clinton said, adjusting her necklace so the amber cross rested just below the hollow of her throat. “Especially if it’s up to Sir Nathaniel to do the kissing.” She rolled her eyes as she referred to the way he’d kissed her upon finding and correctly guessing her identity. He’d pressed a chaste kiss to the back of her hand.
Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Grey said in a whisper, “It could have been far worse. Mr. Howell could have tried to shove his tongue down your throat.”
“I wondered if that’s what he was trying,” Lettie said, shaking her head.
“I accidentally stepped on his foot. Hard.” Mrs. Grey smiled demurely. “Thankfully, he was wearing slippers instead of boots.”
“I do understand your reticence,” Lady Clinton said. “I’m in no hurry to wed either. Twice may be quite enough.”
Genie had forgotten that the viscountess had been married twice. “Would you consider it a third time?” She wasn’t sure she could risk it. The thought of losing another husband filled her with dread.
“Honestly, I don’t know.” Lady Clinton dropped her voice. “My second marriage wasn’t a love match. My boys needed a father, his daughter needed a mother.” She shrugged. “It was good enough, and he did give me my third son, whom I adore.” Her eyes lit with joy. “But I wouldn’t do that again, not after knowing how much better it is to be in love with your husband.”
Mrs. Grey brushed at one of the light brown curls against her temple. “You loved your first husband, then?”
“More than anything,” Lady Clinton said softly, her lips curling into a faint smile. “If I could have that again, I’d do it a third—and a fourth—time. But I don’t know if anyone can be that fortunate. Once is astonishing. Twice is…nearly impossible.”
Genie’s chest constricted. She felt precisely the same way. She’d loved Jerome so much. And he’d loved her. His experience had been the reverse of Lady Clinton. His first marriage had been arranged and bereft of affection. When he’d married again, he’d made certain he loved his bride.
“I know what you mean,” Genie said, giving her a look of support. “I’m not sure it’s possible either.”
“Well, I would just like to fall in love,” Lettie said with a laugh. “I cared for my husband, but there was no grand emotion.” She turned to Mrs. Grey. “What about you?”
“I did love him.” Mrs. Grey’s voice was quiet. “I don’t think he felt the same. At least not for me. His mistress may have had a different experience.”
Lady Clinton reached over and clasped Mrs. Grey’s hand. “Men can be awful. My husband had a mistress too, but I didn’t care. In fact, I’d been contemplating my own liaison before he died.” She gave them all a sly smile, and it lightened the mood once more.
Except Genie still felt as if she’d swallowed lead. She didn’t want to mislead Edmund.
She stood abruptly. “Please excuse me, I’m going to retire for the evening. See you all tomorrow.” She smiled then went to bid a quick good-night to her cousin before hastening from the drawing room. She didn’t want to be there when the men arrived.
As she made her way to her chamber, the kisses she and Edmund had shared earlier were at the forefront of her mind. She’d thought of little else since that afternoon. At dinner, they’d been seated on the same side of the table, though a few chairs apart, so she hadn’t been able to see him. That was probably for the best, as she didn’t think she could have kept herself from looking at him all evening.
She forced herself to consider whether she would marry again. Maybe? Especially if there were children for her to mother. Edmund didn’t have any because he’d never been married.
Why was she thinking of marriage to him? He hadn’t mentioned it. He’d only indicated that he wanted to kiss her again. Perhaps he was only interested in a liaison while they were here.
Would that be…bad?
Genie didn’t have an answer. Hopefully, tomorrow she would. As Lady Clinton had said, the party was almost half over.
She was running out of time.
Chapter 6
When Edmund arrived in the drawing room after dinner the night before and found that Genie had already retired, he worried he’d ruined things. Except, she’d initiated that first kiss and had been a willing participant in the others.
Thankfully, he’d seen her at breakfast, and she’d been her usual charming self. No, not usual. She’d been a touch enigmatic. Or, perhaps it was that Edmund was looking for behavior and attitude that didn’t exist. Because he wanted to see his longing—his desire—reflected back.
They’d played parlor games earlier and were now going to set off for a walk to the River Swift since the weather had dried. As they gathered just behind the house, the guests collected in groups. A couple of pairings seemed somewhat certain. Mrs. Fitzwarren and Sir Godwin, as well as Mrs. Sheldon and Lord Audlington, appeared to have formed attachments. Whether they would be permanent remained to be seen.