‘I appreciate your suggestion,’ he said in a low voice. ‘I shall ask them both if they’d be willing to attend the interviews with me.’
Louisa couldn’t help but smile. He was takingheradvice. He was going to let others help carry the burden of his little sisters’ care whilst his parents were away. Maybe, just maybe, he would let her help carry the burden of his grief. The loss of his two younger siblings. She would happily share in any of his burdens if only he would open his heart to her.
A phaeton stopped by them on the path and she saw it was the Earl of Norwich. Today he was dressed in an exquisite crimson driving coat with no less than fifteen capes. Louisa counted. His tall beaver hat shone in the light and his hessian boots sparkled as if they’d just been buffed.
Lord Norwich’s lips curved into his usual sneering smile. ‘Lord Cheswick, Lady Louisa...what a pleasure, seeing you here.’
Wick gave the man a curt nod.
Louisa curtsied deeply, still holding on to the support of Wick’s strong arm. ‘Lord Norwich, shall you be at Lord Sunderland’s ball tomorrow?’
Norwich switched the reins from one gloved hand to the other. ‘I shall indeed, my lady. And, if I may be so bold, might I request from you the first two dances?’
She glanced at Wick’s profile, but it was as if his face had been carved from granite. There was no emotion there. Nothing to show that he cared for her or that he had any intention of dancing with her at the ball at all.
‘I should be pleased to reserve them for you, my lord.’
The Earl touched his hat. ‘Until then.’
Louisa watched the Earl urge his team of horses forward and pass by. He gave her one last wave. Wick took no notice of it, or of her. He started walking again at a quick pace and Louisa trailed along at his side like a rag doll.
‘Should I not have said yes?’ she said breathlessly. ‘Your sisters have said that a lady is not supposed to say no when a gentleman asks her to dance at a ball. I did not know how to refuse politely.’
‘You needn’t refuse Norwich. He’s not a bad match, as long as you don’t mind that he will love his clothes more than you.’
Wick’s curt words cut at her heart. Did he not care for her at all?
She swallowed. ‘Then you approve of Lord Norwich as a suitor for me?’
His jaw clenched, but he didn’t look her in the eye. ‘There’s only one better catch this season on the marriage market, and that is Sunny.’
Louisa’s lips drooped. ‘I do not think Sunny is truly on the market. He’s only playing at it. His heart has already been taken.’
‘Regret is a cold bedfellow.’
Wick’s tone was harsh and she knew he was speaking from his own experience. Louisa’s soul ached for the pain she knew Wick had felt and would always feel about the loss of Charles and Elizabeth. She understood now why he wasn’t interested in marriage. He did not want to love another person he could lose. He didn’t wish to feel helpless again.
But Louisa had felt helpless her entire life until leaving Greystone Hall, and at this moment she was hopeless. Wick was not ready for her love. And she was tired of loving those who did not love her back. Like her Aunt and Uncle Rockingham. Her cousins.
And now Wick.
She would not give her heart to anyone who did not love her in return.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Louisa and Mantheria sat in the elegant barouche on their way to Lord Sunderland’s ball. They looked like opposites.
Mantheria wore a black gown, low-cut, with scalloped sleeves and several flounces on the skirt. Her silver necklace held three large black diamonds with matching earbobs, and in her hair were tall black feathers that contrasted greatly with her yellow curls.
Louisa’s dress was simpler, with no ornamentation besides a lace overlay of creamy white. Her neckline was also higher, and around her throat was a set of three rows of pearls on loan from the young Duchess. Louisa’s hair did not have any feathers, but Chandler had woven in baby’s breath from the bouquet Wick had sent for her.
Mantheria took Louisa’s hand and they intertwined gloved fingers like the keys of a piano. ‘How were the girls today?’ she asked.
Louisa snorted, and then laughed. ‘Becca rescued a mouse from her kitten and I think she believes it is her newest pet.’
The Duchess closed her eyes and shook her head. ‘No doubt she’ll cause an infestation in my house before they leave for Hampford.’
‘Did you find a new governess?’