Vanquished

Delilah ponderedMr. Flannigan’s statement for the rest of the evening, and although he didn’t approach her again, she saw him now and again chatting to some of the other guests, including the duchess and her entourage. She narrowed her eyes, for surely he couldn’t gain access to such a solitary club like Almack’s.

Could he?

Irritated that she was still allowing him to monopolize her thoughts, she spied Francesca standing by the refreshment table in between sets, so she headed in her direction. Her friend greeted her with a smile, but Delilah didn’t miss the sadness behind her eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Those blue eyes blinked. “What?”

Delilah didn’t hold back, but accused boldly, “That you were in love with Adam?”

“Shh!” This time Francesca’s eyes widened, and she grabbed hold of Delilah’s arm and pulled her into a nearby alcove. “Are you trying to announce it to the entire assemblage?”

She thought of what Conor had told her. “I don’t think I need to. It seems to be readily apparent to some.”

Francesca didn’t even ask who, but visibly paled. She put a hand to her head and looked faint. “Oh, dear.”

Delilah was immediately concerned. She reached out and steadied the other girl when she wavered on her feet. “Shall I fetch the smelling salts?” she asked.

“No. I don’t believe that is necessary,” her friend returned with a negative shake of her head. “Although I am aggrieved to think that my heart is so readily visible.”

Delilah smiled gently. “You’ve always worn your emotions on your sleeve and there is nothing wrong with that. It’s who you are.”

Francesca’s chin wobbled slightly. “Unless the reason is that you are in love with the wrong man.”

Delilah’s own heart broke in two for her friend’s obvious pain. She reached out and embraced her. When she pulled back, the anguish in her blue eyes made Conor’s words come back to haunt her.

“Love is fleeting… Love is dangerous… Love doesn’t allow victory to either party…”

Seeing the hurt and longing in Francesca’s eyes, it nearly made Delilah believe that what he claimed was true, but then how might one explain her father’s strong feelings for her mother? It was obvious he was nearly destroyed after her death, for he was still mourning her loss nearly five years later. Granted, his wife had died much too young, and Delilah would have to agree that wasn’t a victory for either party, but for the time they were together, she knew they were happy. Delilah remembered seeing the sparkle in her mother’s eyes and the soft glances that he would send to his wife in return.

In that case, wasn’t it worth it?

While Delilah didn’t intend to interfere in Francesca and Adam’s relationship, surely she could understand why their parents disapproved of the match when she saw nothing amiss. It wasn’t as if Francesca wouldn’t bring a sizeable dowry to any union, and as a duke’s son, even a younger one with only an honorific to his name, at least he would come from good lineage.

Delilah decided that the issue might lie with the couple themselves. If Adam was anything like Francesca, they wouldn’t dare speak out against their parents’ decision but would blindly follow along because it was the proper thing to do, even if they embarked on a lifetime of misery and regret because of the choices that had been made for them.

It might take some careful planning, but Delilah decided that she couldn’t allow either of them to suffer when she might have taken the necessary steps to prevent it.