page47 (2/2)

Was she truly conte her back on the city, wealth and the position in the political world she’d dreaht not even want her?

And what of Papa? With his recovery still uncertain, he’d steeled hiht fulfil her dreaust if she threay every advantage her faive her to choose a entleman?

Her stubborn heart insisted what they’d shared had beenlust Insisted, before she made the irrevocable decision to choose esteem over love and satisfaction over passion, she must find out for certain how Greville Anders felt about her

By now, her head was throbbing In thefor certain Soht, she would tell Lady Parnell that she wanted to go home

After greeting her hostess in the parlour before their dinner guests arrived, Amanda fell silent, not sure how to tell Lady Parnell she wished to leave at the height of the Season without seerateful for all that lady had done for her

‘You seem pensive, my dear’

‘Lord Trowbridge told me he intends to make a formal offer,’ she blurted out

‘Wonderful!’ Lady Parnell exclaimed ‘I’m so happy for you! It’s what you’ve alanted, isn’t it? Oh, your dear mama would be so pleased!’

‘Except…I’m not so sure it’s still what I want,’ she admitted ‘Oh, I have enjoyed London, especially the political evenings here and at Lady Ravensfell’s and Lady Holland’s They were sti and I loved every minute’

‘That’s a foretaste of what your life would be, if youare excellent, and it’s clear he cares for you My dear, you can hardly do better than an earl’s son Why the hesitation?’

‘It’s just…ed He see of mutual respect and affection Can that be true?’

Lady Parnell frowned, clearly not pleased by Amanda’s unexpected indecision ‘Not everyone experiences falling in love My own ed by my family, but I came to esteem my husband very much, and miss hiood, but there are much more important considerations in wedlock Money Property Family connections’

Amanda knew so little of the world Would er, be more likely to make her happy, than the extremes of passionate emotion Greville evoked in her?

‘Is there…someone else?’

Startled out of her htful gaze resting on her

‘The fact that you are not falling for the chare makes me wonder if you left a beau in the country, someone who still holds a claim upon your heart’

After a moment’s hesitation, Aood it felt to finally adentleave a pained laugh ‘To make it worse, I don’t even know if he really wants me Or if Papa would approve the match if he did’

Lady Parnell’s frown deepened ‘Is he that ineligible?’

‘He’s a gentleman’s son, but cannot boast the wealth or title of Lord Trowbridge Nor has he any aspirations to play a role in the political arena’

Lady Parnell shook her head ‘Be very careful, my dear I’ve seen a handful ofpassion a sufficient substitute for a substantial income and a secure future I assure you, it is not’

She took a restless turn about the roo displeased the lady whose approval meant so much to her

Lady Parnell stopped and turned back to her ‘Ae, society will be astounded The Ravensfells will not take a refusal of their son’s suit kindly, and their influence is substantial There’s no guarantee you would ever receive so advantageous an offer again, or one that would gain you entrée into the political world you enjoy Meaning no disrespect to your father, who is a entleretted settling for a sientleman’