by Rosanne E. Lortz (excerpt)
Daniel gave Arthur a hearty pat on the back. “It’s been far too long since I saw you last. What have you been doing with yourself?”
“Dangling after the Incomparable,” said Arthur promptly, forcing himself not to care about the pummelling his new coat had just received. He always paid homage to the paragon of the season. It was easier that way. If everyone assumed him smitten, it kept unwanted attention at bay from other debutantes and their mothers.
“That Lymington chit?”
“No, no. She disappeared from London last year—probably married by now to some inordinately lucky curate or country squire. This season it’s someone in quite a different style.” Arthur painted a brief picture of Miss Penelope Trafford’s petite, elfin beauty. “Black hair, blue eyes, and lively as the day is long. Seems to have attracted quite a circle of hangers-on, both gentlemen and ladies. Maybe she could be a friend for Connie?”
“Hmm,” muttered Daniel. He had liked lively girls well enough at Oxford, but apparently lively girls in proximity to Connie was something of which he disapproved. “Connie doesn’t need any of that sort of hubbub. She needs rest.”
Arthur couldn’t remember Daniel’s sister being that much of an invalid. But perhaps she had worsened since he had last seen her five years ago. He was curious to see what transformation time had wrought. She had been a lovely girl at sixteen—or, at least, his eighteen-year-old self had thought so. What would she be like now at one-and-twenty?
“And is your mother here too? Perhaps I ought to call. Pay my respects, eh?”
“Yes, Mother’s here. I daresay she remembers you. You were the only one of my friends who asked to borrow a footman for a valet and came down to dinner in full dress.”
“A gentleman must have standards,” murmured Arthur, “even when in the country. You may assure her, I shall make no such unreasonable requests this time. I only require a cup of tea and fifteen minutes for a morning call.”
“I shall let her know that you intend to visit,” said Daniel. He gave Arthur a card with their address upon it.
“Tomorrow,” said Arthur. He was eager to renew his acquaintance with Daniel’s sister Connie, and he reflected that one benefit of her brother’s strictness was that no matter what time he called on the Turners, it would be unlikely that Constance Turner had gone out.
Rosanne E. Lortz (“Rose”) is a writer, editor, teacher, history-lover, and mom to four boys. She has taught
English composition and grammar, Latin, history, music, and various other
subjects for twenty years. She writes traditional Regency romance with humour and heart. Find her online at rosannelortz.com.