“I don’t wish to be reminded of what transpired between us yesterday,” she admitted.
“That is understandable, but I worry that you won’t be able to dismiss Martin so easily,” Kate pointed out.
“I agree,” Hannah replied. “Which is why I think it might be best if I left Town for a while.”
“Where would you go?” Kate asked.
Hannah placed her teacup back on the saucer. “I was hoping to visit Amelia at Harrowden Hall until the conclusion of the Season.”
Her sister’s lips parted in disbelief. “But you detest long carriage rides.”
“True, but I am willing to make an exception in this case.”
Kate exchanged a worried glance with Edward. “I have no doubt that Amelia would be happy to entertain you, but are you sure you’re not just running away from your problems?”
“I am not running away,” she asserted. “I believe the time away will allow me to find the closure that I need with Martin.”
“I don’t think it would be wise for you to leave Town at this time,” Kate said. “If you go, I fear you and Martin will never be able to rectify this situation.”
“Perhaps, but I need time away.”
Kate looked unsure. “I just don’t want you to live with any regrets.”
“I already have too many,” Hannah reluctantly admitted. “I have spent entirely too much time pining after someone who has only ever considered me a friend.”
“But do you truly want to lose Martin as a friend?”
Hannah pressed her lips together before saying, “I think it might be best if Martin and I parted ways.”
“You don’t truly mean that,” Kate gasped. “You two have been friends for far too long to just throw that away.”
“I do, wholeheartedly,” Hannah declared. “It would be too hard to continue on the way we have been.”
Edward wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I hope you don’t mind, but Kate informed me about what transpired between you and Martin in the gardens.”
“I assumed as much,” Hannah responded.
“Furthermore, Martin had already told me what happened, as well,” Edward continued.
“He did?”
Edward bobbed his head. “And I can assure you that he feels awful about it.”
Hannah hoped the displeasure did not show on her face. “I am well aware of that fact,” she muttered.
“His main concern was that he was afraid of losing your friendship over it,” Edward shared.
“Yes, he made that abundantly clear to me, as well,” Hannah remarked dryly.
Cooper stepped back into the room and met her gaze. “Lord Charles is here to call upon you,” he informed her. “Are you taking callers at this time, miss?”
“I am,” Hannah replied, pushing back her chair.
“I do worry that you are being rather callous about this,” Kate asserted.
Rising, Hannah said, “It is my life, Kate.”
“I know, but—”
“I know what I am doing,” Hannah insisted. “You must trust me.”
Kate leaned back in her chair, a frown marring her features. “I suppose I must, but I don’t like it. I believe you are making a mistake.”
“I shall have to accept that.”
As Hannah stepped out of the room, Kate’s voice reached her ears, causing her to pause at the doorway. “Do be gentle with Lord Charles,” she encouraged.
She bobbed her head. “I have every intention to be.”
Hannah crossed the entry hall and stopped outside the drawing room. She wore a white gown with a pink net overlay, which she smoothed down as she gathered her courage. She did care for Lord Charles, but she knew there could be no future for them.
Lord Charles stood near the pianoforte, dressed finely in a grey jacket, dark trousers, and blue waistcoat. A small smile came to her lips, but she didn’t feel her heart lurch at the mere sight of him.
Lord Charles smiled brightly when he saw her. “Good morning, Miss Blackmore.”
“Good morning, Lord Charles,” she greeted.
“I hope I didn’t call too early.”
“You did not,” she assured him.
Lord Charles looked pleased by her admission. “I was hoping to discuss something with you, assuming you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Hannah walked closer to him but stopped a proper distance away. “What do you wish to discuss?”
Lord Charles took a deep breath. “I have enjoyed these past few days immensely as we have gotten to know one another.”
“As have I, but—”
“Will you do me the grand honor of allowing me to court you?” he nervously blurted out.
Hannah shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I must decline.”
A crestfallen expression came to his face. “May I be so bold as to ask why?”
“I do not care for you as I should,” she replied honestly. “You deserve a woman who loves you for the remarkable person that you are.”
Lord Charles grew quiet for a long moment before asking in a soft voice, “What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing,” she rushed to assure him.
“Did I ask too soon?”
She shook her head. “I wanted you to be the one, I truly did,” she said. “But the truth of the matter is, my heart was claimed by another a long time ago.”
“I hope this man understands how truly lucky he is to have claimed such a desirable prize.”
She lowered her gaze. “I’m afraid he does not know the extent of my feelings for him,” she admitted softly.
Lord Charles took a step closer to her. “You must tell him.”
“I assure you that won’t make a difference.”
“Then he is a fool,” Lord Charles said, his voice low. “For if you were mine, I would ensure you felt loved every single moment of your life. It is no less than what you deserve.”
Bringing her gaze back up, she replied, “That is sweet of you to say.”
“I care for you, and I do wish things could have been different between us.”
“As do I.”
Lord Charles reached for her hand and brought it up to his lips. “I do hope you find happiness in this life.”
“I feel the same way about you.”
Lord Charles released her hand. “I shall see myself out, then.”
“I do hope that we can part as friends.”
His face softened. “It would be a grand honor to consider you a friend, Miss Blackmore.”
As Lord Charles departed, Hannah
