Merry tossed her head and forced her eyes away from the handsome gentleman. She had no need to watch him, no need to behave as the others did. She was not interested in a gentleman who had such a manner as Lord Weston, the sort of man who reminded her of a peacock, its tail feathers all fanned out as it strutted around in the hope of making itself as noticeable as possible – whilst ensuring that they did not give their attention to only one in particular. Lord Weston was a man who should be ignored—as far as Merry was concerned. She had no time for a gentleman such as he.
* * *
“I believe you may have won this wager, Merry.”
It was some hours later and, much to Merry’s relief, no gentleman had come near her, just as she had predicted. The gown and the stylish coiffure had made no difference. She had remained as she normally would, standing with the wallflowers and showing no particular interest in engaging with anyone. In that, her mother could not criticize her, for she had not changed her behavior in any way.
“I did state that such a thing would occur, Titania,” she replied, seeing her sister shake her head in a clearly frustrated fashion. “I can now hope that Mama will simply leave me to my own choices and not force me to dress in a certain manner.”
Titania shook her head again, frowning heavily. “She is only seeking your best, Merry.”
“What is for my best, as you so put it, is to be permitted to do as I wish, and not be dressed up in the hope of catching a gentleman’s eye. A gentleman who will, most likely, see nothing more than the outside façade that has been placed upon me.”
“Now, that is hardly fair,” Titania replied swiftly. “You know very well that both Eliza and I are very happy and contented in our arrangements.”
Merry sighed and looked at her sister, seeing the concern in her eyes and wishing that everyone would simply leave her to herself. “You forget, Titania, that you and Eliza both wished to be wed. You especially were eager to seek out the company of a gentleman so that your choice might be made well. I have no such desire.” This was not the entirety of the truth, but Merry had no desire to speak openly to her sister for fear of laying her heart out completely. That would make her much too vulnerable. “Thankfully, it seems that I am to be….”
Her words slipped away from her as a gentleman began to come towards them both, eyeing Titania with the same curious eagerness that Merry had seen so many times before. She sighed inwardly and turned away slightly, leaving her sister looking at her in confusion.
“Am I to find myself so blessed as to be standing in the presence of Miss Titania Wells?”
Merry closed her eyes momentarily and turned around a little more, taking a few steps away from Lord Weston as he greeted Titania. She should have expected that Lord Weston would be known to Titania. The usual sting of being treated as though she were invisible grated at her again, but Merry simply accepted it as a familiar friend. Gentlemen always sought out Titania. She was bright and vivacious, whereas Merry, even in her beautiful gown and pinned back curls that had been adorned with seed pearls, would still go entirely unnoticed.
She swallowed hard, turning around to see the way Lord Weston laughed down into Titania’s face. It was just as well, she told herself. She did not want to be acquainted with such a gentleman. She did not allow the pain of being unnoticed to gnaw at her soul as it had done so many times before, even though her heart sank low in her chest. It was her lot, it seemed. Her lot in life was to be in her sister’s shadow and to stay back from the light. No matter what she wore, what she said, or how she behaved, she would be left with only the shadows to call her friends.
“I have danced with almost every young lady present this evening,” she heard Lord Weston say, sounding quite proud of himself. “And yet you, Miss Wells, have quite escaped my notice.”
Merry watched this interaction with a slightly dulled interest, catching sight of Lord Carroway approaching Lord Weston and Titania.
“I am sorry we have not become reacquainted these last hours, Lord Weston,” Titania replied, with no hint of flirtation in her voice. “But I should inform you that things have changed vastly since we first were introduced.” She reached out a hand to Lord Carroway, smiling up into his face. “Lord Carroway and I are to be wed.”
Merry saw Lord Weston’s expression change at once. It went from surprise to a broad smile, which did not quite reach his eyes. It was nothing more than a pretense, she was certain of it. Perhaps Lord Weston was disappointed that he would have one less young lady to fawn over him. She rolled her eyes to herself and glanced about, looking for her mother, wondering if she would be permitted to escape home any time soon.
“My hearty congratulations,” Lord Weston said loudly, as Merry continued to look about her. “I fear then that I shall have to give my attentions to another, Miss Wells, since Lord Carroway has stolen you!”
Titania laughed softly. “I do have two unmarried sisters and a cousin, Lord Weston,” she told him, making Merry freeze with a sudden, distressing horror. “Should you ever feel the need to further your acquaintance with my family, then I should be more than happy to introduce you.”
Merry kept her face turned away from Lord Weston and Titania, feeling heat climb up her spine and flood into her cheeks. Titania knew full well that she was not to interfere in any way in this evening’s wager between Merry and Lady Whitehaven, but apparently, she had decided to do so regardless. Praying
that Lord Weston would have no interest in doing as Titania suggested, Merry held her breath as she waited for Lord Weston to answer.
However, it was not Lord Weston who spoke first, but rather Lord Carroway.
“In fact, Lord Weston,” he said cheerfully, “may I present Miss Merry Wells to you?”
Merry whirled around at once, her eyes widening as Lord Carroway drew near her, a broad smile on his face. Did he know of the agreement between herself and her mother? Was he doing this purposefully? She shot a hard look towards Titania, who was smiling helplessly, a small shrug lifting one shoulder.
“Come, Miss Wells,” Lord Carroway said, as though he were doing her a tremendous favor in inviting her to speak to Lord Weston. “Let me introduce you to an acquaintance of mine.”
Quite how she managed to move forward, Merry did not know. Her feet were stumbling, her mouth going dry as she was brought to stand in front of Lord Weston, who was, at the very least, smiling at her. His eyes were roving across her features, before lowering to her toes before rising again, and Merry felt herself go hot all over.
And with that heat came a flicker of anger. How dare he look at her in such a dispassionate way? It was as though she were being considered by him so that he could decide whether or not she was suitable. Suitable to be allowed some of his attentions, or whether he could permit himself to accept her own accolades and adorations – which Merry was certain Lord Weston wanted.
“Good evening, Lord Weston,” she said stiffly, once introductions had been formally made. “I hope you have had an enjoyable evening.” She did not hold his gaze but looked away, hoping that her lack of interest would be enough to prevent him from seeking anything further from her. The last thing she needed was for him to look to further their acquaintance, brief as it was, for fear that her wager would be lost.
“I have had a very enjoyable evening, I thank you,” Lord Weston replied easily, his eyes still fixed upon her, although they still did not linger in one place. “Although I have made it my intention to dance with every young lady I can find, it appears I may have missed some entirely.” He gave her an easy smile, which Merry did not return.
“I think your endeavour to be lost from the start,” she told him plainly. “For there are far too many young ladies present for you to complete one dance with each, Lord Weston.” Looking back at him steadily, she saw him grin but felt no answering pang in her heart. He was a fop, nothing more, and she did not want to give him even a moment longer of her time. It was only when she glanced to her left that she realized that Titania and Lord Carroway had moved aside a little, talking quietly amongst themselves so as to give Merry and Lord Weston enough privacy to talk to each other without fear of being interrupted. Her anger began to fan itself into flame, for her sister had clearly interfered in this evening deliberately, and she was now trying to ensure that Lord Weston was the gentleman who succeeded where others had not.