“How kind you are, Emma.” Laura leaned over and patted her hand. But it seemed wisdom didn’t necessarily come with the years, or protect her from hurt. “How are you? What has occurred in my absence?”
“Mr. Lang is courting me.” Emma grinned, tucking a dark curl behind her ear. “He has been to dinner, and Papa seems to approve of him.”
“I remember how you liked the Scottish gentleman! That is wonderful news. I am so behind the times! Are you to announce your engagement?”
“Not officially. But we talk of an autumn wedding,” Emma said. “I would love you to come, Laura.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Laura smiled, pleased for her, and a little envious.
Emma rose. “I must go. Mr. Lang has claimed the country dance.”
Sitting alone again, as no gentleman had approached her, Laura returned to viewing the interesting personages among the milling crowd, including the Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool, and some of his cabinet.
A man caught her attention when he emerged from the throng. He made his way purposefully toward her, the candlelight shining on his fair hair. She drew in a sharp breath. Her old neighbor and suitor, Edward Ryland.
He stood smiling before her. “It is a great pleasure to see you again, Laura.”
They were of a similar age, but she thought Edward looked older, with deep lines bracketing his mouth. They had both been so young when he’d courted her. And much had happened to them both since. Back then, she’d anticipated a rosy life ahead for them. How naïve she’d been.
She smiled up at him. “Please sit down, Edward, or I shall get a crick in my neck.”
He laughed and sat beside her.
She gazed compassionately at him and reached across to touch his gloved hand. “I’ve only recently heard the sad news. I am dreadfully sorry for your loss.”
Edward’s brown eyes darkened. “Thank you. It was an awful shock, but some months ago now.” He gave a half-hearted shrug. “I’ve grown tired of my company and thought it time to return to society again.” He smiled. “I’m delighted to find you here, Laura. According to my mother, you have not yet married. Is there someone special in your life?”
“No,” she said, hating to have to lie. Edward must have been surprised to find her still single after all this time. When they had been together, he’d liked to say how lucky he had been to beat the other men and claim her as his. Well, that was in the past.
“I hadn’t forgotten how lovely you are,” he murmured, his gaze roaming her face. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking awkward. “Have you forgiven me, Laura? I hated hurting you. You believed me when I said it was my father’s wish, didn’t you? He always aimed high. Had some financial troubles.”
And your marriage solved them nicely for him, she thought. “I knew he disapproved of us, Edward. But perhaps he was right.”
His fair eyebrows drew together in a pensive frown. “I didn’t love my wife when I married her. I was as angry and hurt as I’m sure you must have been. But I came to love Felicity.”
Laura was pleased he’d been honest with her and hadn’t spun some tale about always having loved her, which she would have doubted and disapproved of.
The musicians gathered on the podium and took up their instruments. Those intent on the country dance drifted onto the dance floor. “Are you free for this dance?” Edward asked.
“Yes, although I see Mr. Rowntree approaches.” She would prefer not to dance with Edward, but Mr. Rowntree had changed direction and veered toward another lady.
Edward stood and held out his hand. “Then say you will dance with me. Please.”
She rose and took his arm.
While they danced, she discovered she felt no animosity toward him. It was as if what had happened between them had never been. Since meeting Debnam, nothing else seemed to have the power to hurt her. She gazed into brown eyes not far above her own and tried to recapture the fever of anticipation he had caused once when he’d been near. It was absent, and she wondered if he felt the same.
When she and Edward approached her seat after the dance ended, Aunt Gertrude sat observing them. Laura silently groaned as her aunt donned her spectacles.
Edward bowed before her. “Miss Peyton. I hope you are well?”
Her aunt regally inclined her head. “How are you, Mr. Ryland? You look older. Well, you’re a man now. Married too, are you not?”
Her aunt had either missed Edward’s black armband or ignored it. “Aunt, Mr. Ryland is recently widowed.” If Laura hoped to head her aunt off before she got into her stride, she failed.
“Of course. How sad, so early in the marriage.” Her aunt nodded. “I remember now. You married after you reneged on your promise to marry my niece.”
“We were never engaged, Aunt Gertrude,” Laura hastened to say as Edward’s clearly embarrassed gaze sought hers.