“Yes and no.”
She frowned at the odd answer. “How do you mean?”
“I’ve been well enough, but my thoughts are not.” He leaned close, a warm, teasing glint in his eyes. “They are too taken with you.”
Her breath caught. How was she supposed to react when he said such sweet things? “Joseph—”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what you intend to say, but I ask you not to because I can see from your expression that I won’t like it. Allow me to hold on to my dream a while longer.”
Dream? What could he possibly mean by that? “It’s just that Frances cares for you, too, and I don’t want to interfere.”
“Too?” His gaze held steadily on her until her entire body heated. “Be still my heart.”
She was mortified by the slip. “I meant—”
“You cannot take it back.” His smile sent her heart pounding.
“Garland, you aren’t keeping Lady Harriet to yourself, are you? I never took you for a selfish fellow.” The Duke of Trentworth approached them, his smile engaging.
Harriet felt her face flush once more. To have both men even pretending to flirt with her was inconceivable. The duke was handsome, but her body didn’t react to him the same way it did to Joseph.
That was proof of what Tibby had said.
She watched as Joseph spoke with the duke, comfortable with His Grace despite his intimidating title. He also included Harriet in the conversation.
Joseph was such a good man. But did that mean he’d understand her past? Or would he turn away if he saw her scars and heard her story?
Was it worth the risk?
Dinner was wonderful because she was seated beside Joseph. Both Tibby and Phoebe sent her encouraging looks and soon, she allowed herself to relax and simply enjoy the evening. The future would take care of itself.
Given the small number of guests, everyone joined in the same conversations, leaving her and Joseph no chance to speak privately. Being at his side was enough. She listened to what he said with interest and could feel him doing the same when she shared something.
After dessert was served, the ladies withdrew to the drawing room.
“Where are your mother-in-law and sisters-in-law?” Tibby asked Phoebe.
“They attended a musical this evening. Lady Bolton said she wanted us to have the chance to entertain without the entire family watching.”
“How lovely that you already had such a good relationship with everyone in the family before you married,” Harriet said. “Liking them all must make living here much easier.”
“It does. Lady Bolton has been so kind,” Phoebe said. “And you know I adore Violet.”
“I’m so pleased.” Tibby reached out to squeeze Phoebe’s hand. “We wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told us a year ago that we would be happily married now.”
“It’s true.” Phoebe grinned.
Harriet sighed with envy at her friends’ happiness. Watching the two of them made it seem possible for herself. Dare she hope it might be?
The gentlemen joined them a short time later. Bolton’s brother shared several amusing stories about their childhood which had them all laughing.
Joseph continued to be in fine spirits and drew her eye time and time again. Harriet feared the other guests would guess how she felt about him as many times as they shared glances.
Eventually, the guests started leaving, including Tibby and Captain Shaw. Harriet said her goodbyes and was pleased when Joseph offered to see her to her carriage.
They walked down to the entrance hall, and the butler went to the kitchen to alert her maid that she was ready to depart.
Joseph glanced around the hall and took Harriet’s hand, drawing her into the nearby empty reception room.