Page 20 of A Match of Misfortune

Bridget gave her a sideways glance. “But you do not wish for a love match?”

“No. I have no desire to surrender control over my feelings.”

Bridget gave an amused giggle, her gaze settling on her husband just ahead of them. “I’ve never heard a truer assessment of being in love. Yet it is the most incredible thing—the nearly irrational connection to another. I have encountered nothing else like it.”

Cecily dropped her gaze to the floor. She had once felt an irrational connection to Nash, but in her case, it was not love that had been the cause. It could not have been. But the intensity of it, how it had caused all rational thought to flee from her completely, was so startling and overwhelming that she would not allow herself to feel that way again. She would not become a victim of emotion.

“Do not fret,” Bridget said when Cecily did not respond. “If what you wish for is a match of practicality, that is what we shall find you. And to a gentleman rather more animated than Lord Hughes.”

“Nash,” Lord Rothsburg lifted a hand, and Cecily spied Nash weaving through the crowd just ahead of them, Lady Victoria on his arm. With large blue eyes, raven-colored hair, and a slight pink to her cheeks from dancing, she was even lovelier up close. “We didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

Nash stopped, his gaze briefly flicking to Cecily before it returned to his cousin. “Lord Chatting obtained an invitation for me. Did I not mention it earlier?”

“I don’t believe so.” Bridget smiled. “But we shall not complain about getting to see you twice in one day.”

Cecily glanced at her companion. When had they visited with Nash?

Bridget clearly deciphered Cecily’s confusion. “After our visit this morning, we stopped over at Mr. Markham’s new townhouse in Mayfair.” Her attention shifted back to Nash. “It is quite grand.”

Lady Victoria smiled at Nash as though the comment had anything to do with her.

Nash glanced around the group. “I’m glad to see you have all finally arrived. In your absence, I was forced to impose upon Lady Victoria for company.”

The young woman’s cheeks grew a darker shade of pink, her full, youthful face making her blush more pronounced. “It was not at all an imposition, Mr. Markham.”

Nash shot her a side smile. “I’m excessively glad to hear it.”

Gads. Cecily could hardly watch the two of them.

Bridget also gave a delicate nod of her head toward the young woman. “How well you look this evening, Lady Victoria.”

“As do you, Lady Bridget.”

Nash lifted a hand toward Cecily. “Have you had the privilege of being introduced to Miss Bradshaw yet?”

“I have not.” When the introduction had been made, she adjusted her hold on Nash’s arm and glanced up at him with innocent eyes. “How is it the two of you know one another?”

Cecily could not help but be amused at her curiosity.

Nash gave Cecily a roguish smile. “She and I have been friends for ages, haven’t we?”

What an oaf. He was clearly hoping to cause a rift between her and Lady Victoria. Or at least widen the one that naturally seemed to be there simply because they were both out in Society and unmarried. “If you mean we met six years ago and have not had contact again until earlier this week, and for only an exceptionally brief encounter at that, then certainly, we have been friends for ages.”

Nash laughed, his loud, full laugh that drew attention from all those standing nearby. “Apparently, she will not claim me. But I assure you, Lady Victoria, no woman on this earth has completed a more thorough cataloguing of my faults than Miss Bradshaw. I believe she has made it her life’s work.”

Cecily barely restrained a scowl, though unsurprisingly, Lady Victoria seemed appeased by his offhand answer, and she gave a little giggle. “I cannot imagine that would be a very fulfilling endeavor. I have spent the last half hour with you and cannot name one fault of yours.”

“Ah, but were you looking for them?” Nash’s gaze returned to Cecily. “Because I believe that is the key—to find something, one must first be looking for it.”

Cecily’s lips parted, her barbed reply too sharp to hold in a moment longer. “I do not⁠—”

“Speaking of that very thing,” Bridget said, her gaze fixed across the ballroom, “I believe I have finally spotted Lord Weaton. I had promised to introduce Miss Bradshaw to him as they are both from Kent. If you will excuse us.” Lord Rothsburg stepped to join them, but Bridget gave him a meaningful look, and he resumed his previous position. “It was good to see you, Lady Victoria. Mr. Markham.”

Cecily managed only a brief parting nod in Lady Victoria’s direction before Bridget took hold of her and firmly guided her in the direction she’d apparently seen Lord Weaton. When they were no longer within earshot of the others, Bridget glanced at Cecily out of the corner of her eye. “I take it there is more to your relationship with Mr. Markham than has been shared with me?”

“We simply do not get along.”

“That is apparent. Is there a reason for it?”