Page 40 of No Match for Love (Regency Love Stories)

Lydia was becoming more settled in this home, or at least as settled as she could be. The family was more than welcoming and kind, and being among them was overwhelming in the best way. They laughed and bickered and teased and... and it was such a comfortable, loving environment.

It made Lydia long for something similar. And when she had moments with Lord Berkeley, that longing seemed to increase.

The days had begun to form a sort of pattern: A late breakfast with whoever of the family was awake—excepting Lord Berkeley.

Morning calls or an at-home day with Lady Cheltenham.

Tea with Charlie and Lady Cheltenham. And a social event in the evening.

It was a little tiresome, but Lydia had already seen the resulting changes in great number.

Several men had shown an interest in her, many coming to visit her, and a handful even taking her on small outings—including Mr. Frank Colbert, who for a time had seemed to lose interest in her but now was back to paying court.

If she’d actually wished to marry, it would have been encouraging, but regardless, the stress of putting them off was not so immense.

She knew that she could waylay a proposal with a few choice words if it came to it, and not having her guardian breathing down her neck made a world of difference.

The only thing troubling her was the way in which Lord Berkeley seemed to suddenly keep her at arm’s length. Occasionally it was as if nothing had changed, but most of the time, she felt more like an acquaintance than a friend, a friend he had invited into his home.

She pulled up short as she came into the drawing room, where she was to meet Lady Cheltenham for their at-home. Lord Berkeley was sitting there alone. He sprang to his feet.

“Miss Faraday.” He bowed.

She curtsied. “Lord Berkeley.” After their time at the park, by unspoken agreement, they’d reverted back to formalities in names. Or, she supposed that by “unspoken agreement,” she meant that he had not actually taken to calling her Lydia, and so she assumed he did not want to be called Lucas.

He looked around. “I was told I would find my mother here.”

“Yes, she should be down momentarily. She has her at-home today.”

He nodded, still looking over her shoulder at the door.

“Shall we sit while we wait?” she asked, gesturing for the seats he’d just vacated.

He did not immediately sit, and everything about his person showed a desire to not remain in her company. A pit formed in her stomach.

“Or I can tell your mother you were looking for her? If you do not want to stay.”

“In truth, I just do not want to be roped into joining her at-home.” He gave a sheepish grimace.

Lydia’s shoulders relaxed. Perhaps she was not the sole reason for his wish to leave. “I cannot blame you for that, but I imagine you will be all right. She asked me to meet before the at-home hour began, so there is likely time yet.”

After another moment’s hesitation, he nodded and gestured for her to sit, following suit once she had.

They sat in awkward silence. A large part of her wanted to throw out some inane topic as she had last time they’d spoken, if only to fill the quiet, but the more rebellious part of her did not want to put any effort into conversing with someone who no longer seemed capable of tolerating her company.

Surprisingly, she was not the first to speak.

“Have you settled into your new lodgings?”

“You mean your home?”

“Yes, that.”

“You have a very nice home. I have been quite comfortable.”

He blew a short breath from his nostrils. “I was not attempting to gain a compliment on my family’s home. I simply wanted to see how you are faring. You are in a difficult position with your guardian, and I know that can be a heavy burden.”

She stared at him. Was this one of those moments in which they could be friends? She wished he’d tell her in advance when those would occur. “I am faring well. I apologize if my presence has caused you to fare poorly though.”

She noticed a tightening of his jaw. “I am doing well enough.”

She sat forward, seeing an opportunity she intended to take. “I really am sorry to have disrupted your and your family’s life by joining your household. I will endeavor to make myself as scarce as possible to disrupt you as little as possible.”

His eyebrows actually pulled together at that. “You need not make yourself scarce in the least, Miss Faraday. I must apologize that you’ve been made to feel that way.”

It seemed they would just be trading apologies today without actually making much difference.

Though that was not entirely true—she did feel better that he seemed surprised at her feelings.

Was it possible she’d read the situation incorrectly and he was not unhappy that she was there?

Perhaps he often stayed aloof from his family, and it was not because of her presence that he was doing so now.

That worried her though. Why would he keep himself back from his family?

“And you? How is everything with the club?”

He shook his head. “I do not know. I am immensely frustrated. This venture is incredibly tight-lipped about who is involved. It is a canal group—I do not see why it is this hard to find the man in charge.”

“Have none of the men you know worked with those in charge?”

“No. They were hired to be the lowest of the low. Digging the canals.”

Lydia thought back to the canal book she’d read with Lord Tarrington weeks before. She did not recall much. “Do you not need to file something with Parliament when preparing to build? Perhaps that will lead you to someone in charge.”

Lord Berkeley’s eyes lit. “Yes. Yes, I did look up the original information, which led me to some of the shareholders...” He paused, his gaze unfocused.

“If they’ve had to adjust their plans at all, there should be record of it.

” He nodded, the movement sure. “Thank you, Miss Faraday. This could be the key.” He sat forward, excitement crossing his face.

She’d not seen that emotion so overtly displayed in him. It made her smile.

But before she could respond, the door to the drawing room opened, and Lady Cheltenham entered.

“Lydia, Lucas, what a pair you make,” she said, smiling and walking toward them. What did she mean by that? “To what do we owe the pleasure of your company, Lucas?”

Lord Berkeley had come to his feet the moment the door opened. “I wondered if I might have a word with you?”

“Of course.”

Lord Berkeley did not immediately escape but turned and bowed to her. “I hope you pass an enjoyable day, Miss Faraday.”

“Thank you. You as well.”

With a signature nod, he went to meet his mother halfway between their chairs and the door. They conversed in low voices for a moment before Lord Berkeley took his leave and Lady Cheltenham joined Lydia.

Without a word as to the interruption from her son, Lady Cheltenham sat in the chair beside Lydia. “I have it on good authority that you will have many visitors today, Lydia.” She wiggled her shoulders a bit in anticipation. “You’ve made quite the splash in Society.”

Lydia’s eyes flitted to the door. Though she tried to ignore the feeling, she could not help wishing she could forgo the at-home visits to continue her conversation with Lord Berkeley.