by Joyce Alec
Lord Johnston took her head. “You were very brave to go in alone, my dear.”
She wanted to laugh away his compliment and say that she had not felt anything but quiet determination, but the truth was, she had been torn between her courage and her fear, as Lady Moore had sat there, her sharp eyes taking in everything.
“Lady Moore is not as I remember her,” Mary admitted softly. “She seemed harder somehow. Sharper, as though she will bite at and harm anyone who comes to her in a way she does not like.”
Lord Johnston frowned. “In what way?”
Sighing aloud, Mary tried to put her thoughts into coherent order. “I think that she expects to be given everything she desires without question. From what she says, she expects all the gentlemen of the ton to be enamored by her and is put out when one is not.” She shot Lord Johnston a quick glance, seeing his frown deepen. “Mayhap that is why she attempted to waylay me that evening, after speaking to you. Mayhap she wishes to capture your attentions for herself.”
“After I was so very rude to her?” Lord Johnston asked, with a wry smile. “I can hardly believe it. I was to apologize to her, you understand, but she simply ignored me and batted my apology away, as though she did not require to hear it. However, she did appear to encourage me to return to her side, as though I might be able to gain her attentions then, should I only attempt to do so one more time.”
“And will you?”
Mary did not know where those words had come from and found herself blushing furiously the moment she said them, dropping her chin to her chest in embarrassment.
“Now, why would you ask me such a thing as that?” Lord Johnston asked, with a lightness to his tone Mary had not expected. “No, my dear Lady Ashton, I have no intention of returning to Lady Moore’s side, not even if she were to beg me on bended knee. We are betrothed, and I fully intend to be a dedicated, honest, and true husband to you, with eyes for no other.”
Her blush deepened, just as warmth began to spread through her heart. “It was foolish of me to ask,” she mumbled, not sure where to look. “Forgive me, Lord Johnston.”
Laughing, he pressed her hand and brought a glimmer of a smile to her lips. “You need not apologize, my dear.”
“It is just that I have so often felt dowdy in comparison to someone like Lady Moore,” Mary admitted, finally lifting her eyes to his and seeing nothing but gentleness in his expression. “I am not a diamond of the first water; I do not have the trim figure that so many ladies of the ton boast of having, nor do I have their bright eyes and delicate smiles. I find that I–”
“You are more beautiful to me than any other.”
She froze, her heart slamming hard into her chest. There was nothing but truth in his eyes, and she could barely accept what he had said, such was the shock of it. Her mind screamed aloud with joy, her fingers tightening on his.
“Your character is one without almost any fault,” Lord Johnston continued, his voice quiet and gentle. “You have shown me more kindness and compassion than any other. You have borne more than anyone ought to bear and have remained strong throughout. When I look into your face, I see nothing but beauty, and that beauty brings my heart so much wonder, so much amazement, that I lose my breath. Never believe that you are less, Lady Ashton. You are more to me than any other, and I find you more enchanting, more lovely, more beautiful than anyone else in my acquaintance. I thank my good fortune that I am the one to wed you, that I was given the opportunity to make you my betrothed.” His smile grew steadily, his fingers brushing down her cheek gently. “So, you need not fear that you are of lesser importance or of lesser beauty than those that surround you, Lady Ashton. Never allow such thoughts to enter your mind again and, if doubts should begin to assail you, then you need only look to me. I will be here beside you, as I am this very moment, ready to reassure you.”
For some moments, Mary found herself robbed of speech. She had never expected to feel such a depth of intense affection for the man before her, and yet, as he had spoken, she had felt herself wanting to cry with the tenderness she saw there. This was more than she had ever felt for Lord Ashton when he had lived, more than just the simple friendship she had thought it would be. No, there was more here than she had ever known - more to discover, more to learn, more to love.
Love.
The thought took her breath from her chest, as she looked up into Lord Johnston’s eyes. Was it possible that she could learn to love this man? Was there the chance that he too might come to care for her in much the same way?
“Come,” Lord Johnston said, just as the dinner gong began to sound, startling her from her thoughts. “We should return to the other guests.”
She nodded mutely, taking his arm and walking alongside him, feeling as though she were walking on the clouds above such was the lightness of her spirit.
“What of Lady Moore?” she asked abruptly, recalling that this had been the very reason for their conversation. “How can we discover the truth of what she knows?”
Lord Johnston sighed, shaking his head to himself. “I cannot say,” he replied honestly. “Let me consider the matter for a day or two. Mayhap then, there might be something that comes to mind. It is not as though Lady Moore will simply tell us all, simply because we ask.”
“No, indeed not,” Mary agreed sadly. “And I also meant to tell you about Lord Masters.” Quickly, she outlined what had occurred in the bookshop, although she did not dwell on her feelings of fright and upset.
“I see,” Lord Johnston muttered, as they came to the other guests. “Lord Masters wants your fortune also, does he?”
Mary looked up at him, a little surprised to see the anger that was held in his eyes. “I am afraid that he does, my lord,” she replied quietly. “I fear that he may seek to harm you, given the ferocity of his expression and some of his words.”
“But it is you I am concerned for,” Lord Johnston said at once, his lips curving into a small smile. “Never fear, my dear lady, I shall make sure to keep my eyes open for the sight of Lord Masters approaching – although given your description, I hardly think that it will be difficult to recognize him.”
Mary had to agree, finding herself almost glad of the fact that Lord Masters was so easily distinguished even though she did not want to be near the gentleman again. “Thank you, Lord Johnston, I am glad you will be careful.”
“You are not to go out without my presence or without one of your staff,” Lord Johnston said firmly, stopping dead and taking both of her hands in his, oblivious to the astonished looks of the other guests. “Please tell me you will agree, Lady Ashton. You must protect yourself at all costs.”
She could not refuse him. “But of course,” she murmured gently. “I will do as you ask, Lord Johnston.”
The relief on his face was evident the moment she agreed. “Thank you, my dear,” he replied, as they turned to enter the dining room. “You are more precious to me than you know, and I could not endure the thought of you coming to harm.”
Mary smiled to herself as she walked alongside Lord Johnston into the dining room, taking her seat and finding that she was looking forward to this evening’s dinner and conversation a good deal more than she had been when she had first arrived. Sharing the news of what had occurred with Lady Moore and knowing now that Lord Johnston would be careful to watch for any dangers that might come his way from either Lady Moore or Lord Masters had left her with a good deal of relief. She was able to set her fears aside and simply enjoy the company she was with – although her eyes continued to drift back, again and again, to the very same gentleman.
Lord Johnston.
10
Stephen was enjoying the ball this evening. In fact, this last week, he had found himself beginning to enjoy life a good deal more than he had done previously, even though there had been very little progress in the matters at hand.
Nothing seemed to make sense, no matter which way he looked at it. Perhaps it was just as well that he was beginning to be distract
ed by the fact that he was to wed in a few weeks’ time. Lady Ashton had asked to be wed from London and so, the banns having already been called once, it seemed that in only a fortnight’s time, they would become husband and wife. The thought caught at him, stealing his breath for a moment as he attempted to draw himself back into the conversation of the others near him.
“My hearty congratulations, Lord Johnston,” one lady said, as he caught her eye. “You have made an accomplishment there. I had heard that Lady Ashton had no intention of marrying for some time, and yet here she is, on her first Season since the passing of her late husband, already engaged!”
“Indeed,” Stephen smiled, not wanting particularly to talk about the intricacies of how he had come to be engaged to Lady Ashton, all of one week ago. It was not as though he could tell everyone the truth.
“And what news is there of the dead man?” the lady asked, sounding more than a little excited, as Stephen found himself immediately recoiling from her. “Do they know who did it?”
Clearing his throat and finding that he was beginning to find the present company stale, Stephen shook his head. “There is nothing I can tell you, I am afraid. I know very little, and since the Bow Street Runners have already identified the man, I leave it to them to continue their own investigation into matters. I am removing myself from it entirely so that I might focus on my upcoming nuptials.”
The lady in question flushed bright pink, as though realizing she ought not to have asked him any sort of question regarding the murder and, to Stephen’s very great relief, took her leave of him. He was now free from the responsibility of conversing, and he removed himself to a quieter corner of the room, simply to allow himself the opportunity to study the rest of the guests in attendance.
Yes, Lady Moore was present, as he had expected, garnering the attention of almost every gentleman in the room. His eyes lingered on her for a few moments, wondering to himself why he had ever allowed his mind to be so caught up with her. Yes, she was beautiful, but there was a shallowness to her that he could see now so very clearly. Had that always been present? Then why had he not seen it before?
His heart knew the answer, lifting with a sudden delight as he thought of Lady Ashton. They had been through a good deal together, and he was still in awe of her strength, her courage, and her determination to do right. The way she had stayed by his side, the way she had agreed to marry him should that be the only way to save them both – his life and her reputation – still astonished him. He did not find the idea of marrying her to be in any way repugnant, for, were he to admit the truth even to himself, he would state clearly that he was eagerly anticipating the day they would be wed.
The day when he could make her his wife, when they could start a life together instead of living apart. Were he honest with himself, he could not think of returning to a life without the lady present. She had become a part of his every day, settling into his thoughts when she was not present and slowly, so slowly, making her way into his heart.
Perhaps that was why he found Lady Moore so shallow and so vapid now. Now that he had Lady Ashton as his betrothed, now that he knew what it was like to have a companion that was both interesting and delightful, Stephen realized that he could never see Lady Moore in the same light. He knew nothing about the lady, did not know anything about her character, her wit or her conversation. The only thing he knew about Lady Moore was that she was beautiful – and that she was more than aware of that fact also.
A swell of gratitude rose in his breast. He would never again be caught up by such foolish notions, not when Lady Ashton was becoming more to him than he had ever thought, becoming what he needed before he had even realized it himself. Even Miss Huntly, the lady from last Season whom he had believed himself to hold so much feeling for, faded in the light of Lady Ashton’s wondrous beauty. To him, there was no other. To him, she was perfect.
“You look to be rather deep in thought, Lord Johnston. I do hope I am not interrupting you?”
He smiled, turning towards Lady Ashton. “Indeed not, my dear lady. In fact, you have interrupted thoughts that were directed solely upon you.”
A slow flush crept into her cheeks, heightening her beauty. He looked down into her face, seeing the lightness of her blue eyes, the delicate strands of gold that grazed her temples. An urge to see just how long her hair truly was began to make its way into his very soul, sending his heart into an almost frantic rhythm.
“You are wonderful, Lady Ashton,” he said softly, taking her hand in his and feeling nothing but joy in doing so. “I know there is still so much to understand, so much to bring an end to, but I cannot help but look forward to what is to be our future together. I confess that I was lost in shock and confusion for some days when first we became engaged–”
“Which is quite understandable, given that there was a dead man in your study,” Lady Ashton quipped, making him chuckle, as her blue eyes twinkled back up at him.
“Indeed,” he smiled, pressing her hand lightly. “But now that I am free from the shock of it all, I have come to see just how wonderful my life with you is going to be. I know that you have never thought of matrimony, have never wanted to remarry so soon after your husband’s death, but I will do all I can to be as good a husband to you as he. I will ensure you have the freedom you have so enjoyed; I will not hold you back from anything you desire.”
Lady Ashton’s expression softened, and even though it was only the briefest of touches, her fingers ran along his cheek, before she dropped her hand to her side again. “You are the kindest of gentlemen, Lord Johnston. I have no fears when it comes to marrying you. I know that you are kind and good and that you will care for me just as you have promised.”
It was not quite what he had hoped for, given that he had hoped she might too be looking to the future with an ever-increasing expectation, but he would content himself with that. Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss to it before letting it go, turning around to face back towards the rest of the guests again.
Only to see Lady Moore staring at them both with a vicious, dark expression on her face. Her copper tresses were piled high on her head, her gown flawless in almost every way and were it not for the look on her face, Stephen would consider her perfectly turned out.
Her eyes were narrowed, her red lips slashed across her face in a thin, dark line. The rest of her face was pale, save for two red spots of color in either cheek. He could not understand why she appeared to be so angry with them both.
“I think Lady Moore is still rather displeased about our engagement, Lady Ashton,” he murmured, slowly turning his gaze away from the lady in question and moving just a little so that he might block Lady Ashton from Lady Moore’s gaze. “You have not seen her since your visit to her last week?”
Lady Ashton shook her head, her face growing a little pale as the smile wiped itself from her lips. “No, I have not,” she replied, her expression growing tight. “As I said to you, I am certain that, in some way, she was involved in what occurred that evening, but since I cannot simply ask her directly, there is very little that either of us can do.”
Stephen let out his breath slowly, his mind working hard. The truth was, ever since Lady Ashton had told him about her visit to Lady Moore, he had been trying to think of what he could do or say to have the lady tell him the truth about her involvement, but had come up with nothing. In addition, he had to admit that he had slowly begun to think more about his upcoming nuptials than Lady Moore and the dead body in his study. Since nothing untoward had happened these last week, he had found himself becoming a little less concerned about it all. It was as though he believed that, in becoming betrothed, those who sought him harm would step away from him. That was not a reasonable explanation nor expectation either, but since nothing had occurred to make him think otherwise, Stephen had let himself become lulled into a sense of contentedness. Mayhap his increasing happiness in being betrothed to Lady Ashton had begun to chase away his concern, as well as the fact that the Bow
Street Runners did not think him in any way responsible for the death of the man.
“There are still so many questions we have yet to answer,” Lady Ashton said, capturing his attention again. “Lady Moore has never been one to hide her emotions particularly well, and even in this case, I think her apparent dislike for our betrothal is obvious, although I do not know why.”
Stephen lifted his chin, turning his gaze back to Lady Moore. “Then I should ask her, should I not?” he said, suddenly filled with a fierce determination that seemed to send fire through his veins. “I have been avoiding doing anything this last week, Lady Ashton, because I have found myself contented with things as they are.” He turned back to face her, seeing the astonishment in her eyes. “I have thought myself safe, I have begun to lose my desire to work out what has occurred and why, because I have been content with the knowledge that we are soon to be man and wife. I have let myself forget the severity of it all because nothing untoward has occurred.” Shaking his head, Stephen felt regret run all through him. “I have not even attempted to discover how the person in question got into my home, telling myself that the Bow Street Runners will do that on my behalf, even though I am well aware that, most likely, they will not do anything of the sort.” Letting out a long breath, he tried to smile at her. “But now we are here, and Lady Moore is throwing poisonous glances towards us both, and I find myself frustrated with her behavior and my own lack of urgency. I must speak to her. I must speak to her now. How else am I to know what it is that angers her so?”
“No!” Lady Ashton exclaimed, grasping his arm. “No, Lord Johnston you must not! She might be responsible for all that has occurred, and if you anger her further, then what consequences might she bring down upon your head?”
He managed a small smile, patting her fingers gently. “But if I remain as I am, then we will never discover the truth. Is that what you want, Lady Ashton?”