"Y-You are simply alluring Lady Devereaux. Would you... Please give credence to the bouquet of wildflowers I brought you. I heard- They are your favorites. Are they not?"  He thrust the bouquet out towards me.

I grasped the flowers from his trembling hands. "I am sorry you have been misinformed. These are not my favorites but they are quite lovely all the same. Thank you." 

We tarried before each other as Lord Bumble trifled around with his hands. My mother moved slightly closer to me and nudged me in my abdomen with her elbow. I continued to smile, no forcing needed as I was thoroughly amused by Lord Bumble, and cleared my throat.

"Lord Bumble.." another riotous fit of chortling from the group. "...would you care to sit with me?" I gestured towards my emerald green chair.

"I would indeed, Miss Devereux," he agrees quickly.

He advances quickly to my reading corner and perches himself in the chair to my right. I reached my chair and we sat there silently. The entire encounter was awkward. We barely spoke. My mother directed the conversation and neither myself nor Mr. Bumble seemed to be enjoying ourselves. After nearly two hours of the Viscountess relentlessly gossiping about young ladies from different households, Lord Bumble had finally found the courage to leave. He was invited again for tea, and when he departed I blew out a breath of relief. I began to make haste to my bed chambers, but my mother's voice gave me pause at the base of the grand staircase.

"Not another step Sabine." she stood with her brows arched inquisitively. "You have more suitors. You cannot find love if you do not meet all of your choices."

"I am tired. I tried, but Lord Bumble is not a good fit. None of them were. For three weeks I have suffered through these luncheons and teas, and no one has caught my eye yet." I blew out a breath as I turned to her.

"And pray tell me, how should you know that when you said not but a few words to them." She arched her brow at me.

"I am very good at observing. He was too excitable to even look at me. He stumbled over his words the entirety of his call. I can not make a suitable connection with such a man." I sighed frustrated.

"You must be more open minded dear. This will be good for you." She insists.

I nod curtly. "I shall determine that myself. Now, Viscountess, if you are done with lecturing me, may I retire to my rooms now?"

She frowns. "If you must."

We each go our separate ways. Once I reach my rooms, I gather my writing materials, and head outside to my golly tree. I sit out under the tree and let the wind pull the smell of fresh air to my nose. I take a deep breath savoring the scent, so that I may always remember it. I began to write about the events of today, and my feelings of the outcome. I was not particularly upset about Lord Bumble nor was I happy either. I felt nothing of the events that occurred today. I had a number of fools call on me today. Four to be exact. Lord Brighton who was in his 40's, and found more interest in my sister-in-law, Olivia, than me, Mr. Christly who was indeed handsome, but talked only of himself and his fortune he was to inherit with his father close to his death bed, and Lord Farley who bored me to death with his never ending talk of corn. Yes corn! For an hour and a half the man nearly bleed me out from my ears with talk of corn. Each man in his own right was a complete and utter fool. If this is what was in store for the remainder of the season, I was doomed. Would it be too late to just let my parents choose? I could always run away, but how would I eat and where would I go? I could always go live with my grandparents. My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the heavy footsteps of boots crushing the crisp summer grass of the Hereford estate. I kept my eyes on the words I neatly conjured on the old musky paper just moments before a deep voice enslaved my motions. 

"Pleasant afternoon Miss Devereaux. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." He stretches his arm out and offers me his hand. "I am Sir Anthony Jacques of Pemberton."

My body moves vehemently as I place my hand gently in his so that he may place a respectful kiss upon it, per our training. I took in the sight of him, and my breath hitched in my throat. He was tall and by the looks of it very fit. He smiled at me and his teeth were perfect. It warmed my body just at the sight. His hair was auburn, and it was placed perfectly away from his face. His eyes were blue, so blue they resembled the sky, and as I stared into them unabashedly, my stomach clenched. He wore a burgundy coat that undoubtedly did his figure no justice. His facial hair was just a bit of a very well thought-out morning shadow that fit his heart shaped face perfectly. He cleared his throat and I blinked hard to refocus. I noticed each of my brothers stopped walking and kept a close eye on our encounter because it is scandalous for a young lady to be alone with a gentle man.

"Miss Devereaux...are you quite alright?" He fought to hide a smile.

"I-I am. Just a bit famished. I missed lunch." He extends his hand and I accept it without protest.

"Should we head in for a snack?" I eye him curiously.

"Sir...Jacques was it?" He smiles and nods. "I do not mean to be exigent, but why are you here?"

"I believe it is my turn to present my case." He turns his head towards me slightly.

"Your case? For what exactly?" My brows knit together in confusion.

"Why I should court a certain young lady who is fond of reading and using her wit to dispel suitors. At least that is what I have heard. I haven't had the chance to get properly acquainted with her yet."