Harriet released a quiet sigh. Why did it feel as if she’d lost him when she’d never had him?
~*~
JOSEPH STARED AT THEmessage, his chest expanding as he read the words.
He’d nearly forgotten about looking for another note until Charles had reminded him.
This one was more personal than the previous ones and quite touching.
Harriet had said she wanted to spend more time with him. Surely this had to be from her. Yet given that she’dtoldhim that, why would she continue to write messages?
A faint scent caught his attention. He brought the paper closer and drew in the sweet fragrance only to frown. It didn’t match what he remembered Harriet smelling like.
But that didn’t mean she wasn’t behind them.
The quiet of the library was at odds with his swirling thoughts. He couldn’t say why he wanted it to be her so much, but he did.
After all, he wasn’t ready to court a lady. Marriage was much further down the path of his future. It was unlikely that he’d inherit for years. Why marry now when he had other concerns, including the financial worry of his inheritance? When he did marry, it would be for practical purposes. Not love.
Then there was the fact that he didn’t trust the emotion. How could he when it had been used as a club throughout his life to try to bend him to his father’s will?
Not that love was involved. He and Harriet were still coming to know one another. But he wouldn’t deny that he’d never felt like this about anyone else.
He stared at the feminine script. Perhaps he could find a way to have her write something, even if it was a charade phrase. Then he might know whether his secret admirer was the one he hoped. Until then, he should assume nothing.
Still, he hoped it was Harriet. He wanted to explore what he felt for her. These unfamiliar emotions might be the result of close proximity. The house party narrowed the world and brought his focus to those around him.
His gaze caught on the grandfather clock standing in the corner. Realizing it was growing late, he hurried out of the library to join everyone in the drawing room before dinner.
He entered the room without anyone remarking on his tardy arrival. His focus shifted from one single lady to the next, considering the possibilities, only to conclude he had no idea who it might be.
His best chance of discovering the lady’s identity was to respond to the message and hope the next one contained additional clues. Meanwhile, he’d try to speak with each of the unattached ladies this evening and note their scent.
The image of him sniffing each lady had him smothering a grimace—heaven forbid if he were caught. His gaze lingered on Harriet. As if sensing his regard, she looked at him and smiled, causing his mouth to go dry. Somehow, he couldn’t bring himself to attempt to see if her perfume matched the message, fearful it wouldn’t.
Instead, he moved in the opposite direction.
Dinner would soon be served, which didn’t leave him much time. He approached Martin, who had returned earlier, and stood with his wife, Miss Melbourne, and Lady Caroline.
“What a fine day it’s been,” Joseph said.
Martin nodded. “Though the way the clouds were building on the horizon when I rode in, one wonders if tomorrow’s weather will be as nice.”
Joseph hadn’t been speaking of the weather but didn’t bother to correct him. He glanced at Miss Melbourne, whose gaze held on the floor as usual. Was it shyness that caused her reaction or did she simply not care for him?
“I do hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow,” Lady Caroline said with a bright smile.
She didn’t seem to have any problem conversing with him. Didn’t that make it unlikely that she’d have written the messages?
He subtly shifted his weight toward first one lady then the other, trying to see if one wore the same scent as the message. Damn, but it was nearly impossible to tell. Especially when they stood beside one another.
He moved on to Lady Winifred who spoke with Peter Connelly but didn’t notice any fragrance near her.
Unfortunately, several other ladies stood together, making it impossible to know who wore what perfume. Then they were called to dinner, and he had to abandon his mission.
This evening, he was seated next to Lady Winifred.
“Haven’t the meals been wonderful thus far?” she asked as he assisted her into her chair. “I look forward to seeing what will be served this evening.”