Lord Blackwood's Valentine Ball: An Authentic Regency Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

she had insisted to Henrietta that Lorna and his lordship would make a good match, somehow the idea of Lorna already having feelings for him had not occurred to her. Yet the carelessness of youth was apparent in Lorna’s statement that she could not possibly fashion a charming card and romantic verse of her own. The significance of a Valentine, declaring one’s hope of love that someone might reciprocate, also seemed to have escaped the laughing girl in front of her.
    Patience was almost angry for a moment that Lorna did not want to try to make her own Valentine. How deep was her affection then for Lord Blackwood? Did Lorna even know what true, deep love meant? Patience would have given the world to be able to send a card to Lord Blackwood, even knowing he had no interest in her and would possibly be embarrassed by a declaration of love from such an insignificant person. Yes, he had been so kind and polite, but that was his noble nature. All superior men and women showed their greatness by their exquisite manners and their courteous acknowledgement of those around them.
    She became aware of Lorna shaking her by the shoulders and peering into her face with an anxious expression.
    “Patience? Are you unwell? Would you like to lie down and rest? Have I said something to displease you?”
    Patience blinked and snapped out of her reverie. She laughed, forcing a gaiety she did not feel at all. The sound of her laughter had a brittle quality.
    “Unwell? Of course not. I am quite all right. In fact, I am in the pink of health. Whatever made you say such a thing?”
    Lorna continued to examine her, this time with a worried frown. “You suddenly went so pale and even stopped breathing for a moment. I thought I’d said something to upset you.”
    Patience smiled and patted Lorna’s hand that still rested on one shoulder. “What nonsense. How could you upset me in any way? You are the dearest, sweetest companion anyone could wish for.”
    “When I mentioned Lord Blackwood, your face went as white as paper and you looked as if you’d had the most terrible shock.”
    Patience put one hand up to her brow, half-concealing her face in case her expression showed emotion Lorna could misconstrue. “I must confess, my dear, just as you spoke, I felt a sudden twinge of a headache that has plagued me all day. It was like a horrid sharp stab in my forehead.”
    “Oh, why didn’t you say so before!” said Lorna, jumping up from her seat. “I’ll get my smelling salts and some lavender water to bathe your temples. Then you can relax here on the sofa, and I’ll read to you very quietly until you fall asleep.”
    With that, she pushed Patience back against the sofa cushions and raised her feet to rest on the other side. “There, now you lie perfectly still while I look after you. I am used to nursing my younger sisters so don’t think I am not capable.”
    Patience closed her eyes. Being perfectly still was impossible as Lorna ran to the door and called for Doris to bring the required ingredients. Doris appeared in a few minutes with the necessary items, and Lorna proceeded to bathe Patience’s temples with inexpert hands, all the while chattering on about Lord Blackwood. Patience murmured a comment every now and then to show she was listening, but each moment of Lorna’s enthusiastic prattle wreaked havoc in her breast. At the same time, cold drops from the wet cloth Lorna applied to her forehead trickled down into her ears. Patience felt acute discomfort lying there but did not want to upset Lorna by getting up. The poor darling tried so hard to be helpful.
    “I think Lord Blackwood is quite the most elegant man in London.”
    Patience remained silent. Lorna, forgetful of her earlier promise of peace and quiet, prodded her. “You’re not asleep, are you? Did you hear what I said?”
    Patience opened her eyes. “Oh, yes, I did. Of course he is. Quite the most elegant.”
    “I agree,” said Lorna, as if forgetting that she had