The situation would be different if he felt Henderson was truly making a difference in people’s lives. Based on what Joseph had learned about the man, he wasn’t. The poor and troubled weren’t part of his mission. Why his congregation, including Joseph’s father, agreed was concerning.
Joseph pushed away the thought as it only made him angry. A house party was not the time to dwell on his irritation with the reverend. But if given the chance, he would mention his concern to any who would listen in the coming days.
Soon, Mr. Melbourne rose and suggested they join the ladies.
Once again, Joseph entered the drawing room and found himself searching for Miss Melbourne. He saw her friend, who had seemed so shy and uncomfortable earlier. The lady stood beside Mrs. Melbourne. Odd, but the two of them looked as if they could be related.
An uncomfortable thought seeped into him as the memory of the pretty lady’s mother on Bond Street came to mind.
“Garland.” Martin Melbourne clapped his shoulder before Joseph could consider it further. “It appears as if charades are on the agenda for tomorrow afternoon. My mother has asked that I secure your agreement to join in the fun.”
“Charades?” Joseph didn’t especially care for those sorts of games, but what house party wasn’t complete without entertainment of some kind to keep the guests engaged? “I suppose, but only if you are as well.”
Martin laughed. “My wife and I will be there lest my mother disown us.” He glanced behind Joseph. “Have you met Lady Harriet?”
“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” Joseph said only to turn to see his mother’s rescuer, whom he thought to be Miss Melbourne, standing there.
When he’d asked the butler her identity, there had been two ladies in view, but Joseph’s focus had been solely on Lady Harriet. Clearly, the butler had only noticed Miss Melbourne.
He nearly groaned at the realization that he’d mistaken her name even as he bowed.
~*~
HARRIET’S FACE HEATEDas she caught Viscount Garland’s words. She hardly knew what to say, especially when hurt speared through her. Did he still truly not know who she was?
While she wasn’t as painfully shy as Frances, neither was she that sociable compared to some of her friends. Especially not after all that had happened in the past few years. Those experiences had taught her to be cautious.
She couldn’t stop from running a finger over the lace insert of her gown that hid the scars on her chest. They tended to itch when she was embarrassed or distressed.
Yet what could she do but smile and act as if it was of no consequence that the gentleman for whom she held a secrettendredidn’t know her name even after she’d saved his mother from injury? That he didn’t remember being introduced to her. Twice. That he obviously didn’t feel any of what she felt for him.
While he’d acted pleased to see her, obviously that had only been because he was being polite.
The realization was lowering and squeezed her heart. Thank goodness she hadn’t managed to volunteer to be the next league member to make a bold move. At this point, getting him to know her name was as much as she could accomplish.
The viscount closed his eyes briefly and then looked at her with an apologetic expression. “I’m so sorry. I had you confused with another.” He glanced over his shoulder to where Frances stood next to her mother.
Frances noted his look and her cheeks turned pink once again.
A sinking feeling caught Harriet as she saw her friend’s expression. Surely, she had to be wrong.
“You must meet my sister as well.” Martin waved toward Frances. It took a nudge from her mother to make Frances join them, her gaze fixed on the ground.
“Viscount Garland,” Martin said as he began introductions, “may I introduce my sister, Frances.”
“It’s a pleasure, miss,” Garland said as he bowed. “I fear I had the two of you confused. I’m so sorry.”
Frances dipped into a curtsy and sent a pointed look at Harriet that pleaded for help.
Please let me be wrong. Still, Harriet smiled as she moved closer to Frances. “We are often together as we are the dearest of friends,” she told the viscount. “It’s no wonder if you confused us for one another.”
“My apologies to you both.” Garland truly looked upset, which eased some of Harriet’s hurt.
His remorse was rather sweet. But the way Frances watched him so attentively from beneath her lashes left no doubt that she liked him. He had to be the one with whom she wanted Harriet’s help.
If only Frances would’ve shared who she admired beforehand, perhaps Harriet could’ve explained why she couldn’t be of assistance. Yet what could she have said? I’m sorry, but I like him, too?
What a terrible tangle this was.