The Beautiful Wallflower

CHAPTER SEVEN: Ride to Lyne Avenue

Andrew decided to ride along to London with lady Blackburn. Not only did he still wish to speak to her, he also did not know the road back.

They rode side by side, slower than when they rode to Blackburn. Andrew was not quite certain if the lady appreciated the silence, or if she was angry with him. He was very well aware that he had spoiled her afternoon by telling her brother her true behaviour at the ball, but he could not help himself. It seemed he liked to irk the lady.

"I believe I should apologize for intruding in your personal life," he said, speaking loud to be certain she could hear him over the wind that was blowing.

Lady Blackburn looked at him and nodded. "Yes, you should."

"I apologize," he simply said. She looked at him a little longer as if accepting the apology, then turned her face to look in the direction her horse was taking her.

Another silence hung between them. Andrew experienced it to be awkward, but looking at lady Blackburn, he figured she liked it. Yet, he could not stop himself.

"Why do you tell your brother you dance at balls?"

Lady Blackburn did not answer, though Andrew was certain she had heard him, for she had stiffened. He was frightened he might have overstepped the line of her personal life, but - again - he could not help himself. He felt like he was coming closer and closer to getting to know Victoria Blackburn, and he liked it. He loved discovering the mystery she surrounded herself with. He wanted to be the first one to see the true face behind her mask, and he could only hope she was as kind as she pretended to be.

He also admired her courage for breaking the rules of the ton. She did not dance at parties, she did not gossip, she rode horseback and travelled without companion. His sister would have a faint should he tell her!

Andrew had given up on hoping for an answer, when lady Blackburn suddenly spoke. "I tell my brother what he wishes to hear when it concerns balls. He remembers my mother pretty well, and she loved balls."

A long smile appeared on her face. "She loved the gowns and the dancing, the gossips and the new friends. The men who got foxed and the scandals that were whispered about where her favourite part of every evening. Malcolm had always longed to go with her, so when she passed, he decided to take me there. I think he hoped my face would glow like hers did."

She stopped speaking for a while as a flash of pain appeared before her eyes. "But then he had his accident and he could not accompany me to my first season. He was devastated. He apologized so many times to me." Her tone got sadder, and she blinked away a tear that threatening to fall. "I want him to believe I like it as much as he wants me to, and so I tell him what I think he would want to know."

A silence fell between them. Andrew did not know what to say. She ended her piece so casual, yet when he thought of living like that, he would be struggling. Mayhap it was only a stereotype to think that men are stronger than women, for she did not seem hurt at the reminder.

If anyone was hurt, twould be Andrew himself. Lady Blackburn tried to give her brother the best life he could have, and Andrew popped his happy bubble with a small truth and the mere intention of getting under the lady's skin. It felt funny at the time he said it, but knowing more of the story, he could only feel guilt. Guilt for telling the truth, and guilt for thinking it was funny.

"I don't quite know what to say," Andrew said after a long silence. When he looked at lady Blackburn riding her horse next to him, he thought he saw less happiness in her, but how was he to be certain when it was the second time he spoke to her?

A pitiful smile played her lips. "I don't need words, my lord. People easily tell lies."

Andrew was shocked. Was that really how the lady thought of the people of the ton? She seemed so happy and peaceful, yet it seemed there was more behind the mask she pulled up whenever someone was around. He pitied her for her bad believes and disappointed views on gentry. He did not understand how one could live in London with the believe that people betray you at every word. Some people are honest, he thought.

"I guess you know all about that," she suddenly said.

"Know what?"

"How people lie often."

He gave her a questionable look. What did she mean by that?

She shook her head. "Mind not."

She turned her head forward again, but his eyes remained on her. "Why do you think I know a lot about people lying?"

She looked at him with red cheeks. "I should not have said anything. I was thinking of your brother, but you probably want to forget all about that." Andrew stiffened at the mention of Arthur, but she did not notice and spoke on. "I understand the desire to forget the past." She gave him a brave smile. "But it turns out to be rather hard."

Andrew did not want to talk about Arthur, so he continued with the lady's last subject. "The hardest part is how the ton finds it harder to forget than I do. They have to remind us of it every once in a while."

Lady Blackburn's eyed lowered to the ground, afraid to meet his gaze. "My apologies for reminding you, my lord."

He smiled at her. "You are nothing like the ton, my lady."

Her cheeks started to turn red, but before he could see it well, she looked in front of her and order her horse to move faster. "Race to the house!" she shouted.

"What?!" He quickly order his horse to keep up with her. "But I do not know the way!"

He heard her chuckle in front of him. "Then I guess you're going to have to let me win."