“Welcome home, my lord. I trust you had a good trip?”
“I did. Quite successful.”
“Good news, sir. Will you be wanting some refreshment?”
“Yes, I think that would do nicely.”
“Very good, sir. Lady Elaine is having tea on the balcony. With Miss Townsend.”
“Miss Townsend?” Aidan couldn't keep the surprise from his voice.
“Yes, sir. Your guest.”
“Yes, Tibbs, I am aware of who she is. She's doing much better, then?”
“I'll let you be the judge of that, sir. Will you be joining them?”
Aidan paused. “Tea sounds lovely,” he said, already heading for the balcony.
“Very good, sir,” Tibbs replied to the air.
Elizabeth had much been on Aidan’s mind the entire ten days he'd been gone. Curious, that. He had tried to pass it off to Gavin as concern for her welfare, but if he were being honest with himself, he’d have to admit that it was something more than gratitude. She fascinated him. She was a mystery he needed to unravel, a story begging to be told. And he was very much looking forward to hearing it.
He went out to the balcony and followed the sound of Lainey's voice, stopping short when he rounded the corner.
Elizabeth was sitting facing him, but he went unnoticed. She was snickering at whatever Lainey had said to her, and Aidan realized it was the first time he had seen her smile. It lit up her entire face and captivated Aidan so completely that it rooted him to the ground.
The change in her since he had seen her last was almost too much to comprehend. There were still shadows under her eyes, but her skin had taken on a more natural color. The early afternoon sunlight touched her hair, lighting it on fire with cinnamon highlights peeking through the dark strands. It had obviously been washed and brushed till it shone. The mats were gone and it now hung in loose waves about her shoulders and halfway down her back. Aidan’s belly tightened as he watched her. For once, her eyes held nothing in them but laughter.
That is, until they fell on him.
“Good afternoon, ladies.”
Elizabeth's smile vanished from her face instantly. Lainey, however, launched to her feet and ran to hug her brother.
“Welcome home, brother dear. You’re early! How was your trip?”
“It was good, thank you. I trust you two have gotten to know each other a bit?” he smiled, glancing at Elizabeth. She was staring at him like he was about to rush at her with a knife.
“Oh, yes!” Lainey exclaimed. “We've been taking good care of her. See how well she looks!”
“Yes, I see,” Aidan said softly. “How are you feeling, Miss Townsend?”
She blinked. “Better than when we last spoke. Thank you.”
She said nothing more. Aidan couldn't stop looking at her, Lainey forgotten at his side. She cleared her throat.
“Well,” she said, breaking the silence. “I wish I had known you were coming home today, Aidan. I promised Anne I would call on her this afternoon.”
“Then go you must,” he said, kissing her temple. “Will you be home for dinner?”
“I promise. Then we can finally catch up with each other.”
“I look forward to it. May I see you out?”
Lainey turned to Elizabeth. “Forgive me, Elizabeth. Will you excuse me? I'm sure Aidan will keep you company.”
Aidan watched Elizabeth’s eyes widen in alarm. For heaven’s sake. Clearly he was still frightening. He offered his arm to Lainey and nodded to Elizabeth. “May I join you in a moment?”
Elizabeth looked panic stricken, but she managed a tight smile. “Of course.”
“Excellent.” Aidan was ready for some answers.
“So what have you been able to learn of our houseguest?”
“Not much, I'm afraid,” Lainey replied. “She's not very forthcoming with information.”
“She's hiding something?”
“Most definitely. But it's not that she's necessarily hiding information to be secretive; it's more like she's afraid to reveal it, if that makes any sense. She's been through something terrible, Aidan, I just know it.”
“The question is what?”
“I haven't any idea. But she can't have always been so poor. She's very well educated.”
“Yes, I've noticed.”
“And she has good manners. She was taught how to behave properly, that's for sure. She's quite fascinating, actually. But then you'll find that out for yourself, won't you?” she grinned. “Go easy on her, brother. She's as skittish as a rabbit.”
“Yes, I've noticed that, too,” Aidan said, pursing his lips in thought.
“And you simply must make arrangements for Mrs. Essex to come and fit her for some decent clothes. Mine are too big for her, and what she arrived in is nothing more than rags, though she wouldn't let me throw out that moth-eaten cloak of hers. It must have some special meaning to her. She'll need some morning gowns, and of course a tea gown and a dinner gown. Something suitable for company, just in case. Oh, and—”
“Aren't you late for your engagement?”
Lainey giggled at his obvious hint. “Fine. I'll see you at dinner.”
“Give Miss Hastings my best.” He kissed her on the temple and saw her to the waiting carriage. Once she was safely on her way, Aidan headed back out to the balcony to join Elizabeth.
The instant Aidan came round the corner, Elizabeth stiffened. While Lainey had been gentle in her quest to find out more about her, Elizabeth wasn’t too sure the earl was going to be as easy to handle.
“May I sit?”
Elizabeth nodded, eyeing him. He chose the seat opposite her and leaned back in a deliberately casual pose. “I am much relieved to find you better, Miss Townsend,” he began. “I fear my guilt would have followed me all my life had you not improved.”
“I am no one to be so concerned over, my lord,” she replied. “And I was merely returning a favor. What happened was my own doing.”
“But you wouldn't have been hurt had I been paying attention.” He paused. “Then again, I suppose neither one of us would have been in danger had you not run away.”
Her cheeks flamed. “I'm sorry,” she said, unable to look him in the eye. “I was afraid.”
“As you are now.”
Her gaze snapped up to meet his. The retort she had ready died on her lips when she caught sight of his sorrowful expression.
“I don't bite, Miss Townsend.”
“I…I beg your pardon?”
“You are looking at me like I'm a rabid animal about to attack,” he pointed out. “I'm actually a decent man once you get to know me.”
A nervous twitter burst forth from her lips. “Forgive me, my lord. I have not known many decent men in my life. They all make me rather nervous.”
Aidan nodded. “I can certainly understand.” He took a sip of tea. “So are you from London, Miss Townsend?”
“No. I came by way of Kent.” She bit her lip. It wasn't exactly a lie; it just wasn't the whole truth. She had to be careful to give both brother and sister the same information, but they were intelligent people and it wouldn't be long before they became unsatisfied with her vague answers.
“Do you have family there?”
“No,” Elizabeth replied. “I've been on my own for quite some time. My parents died when I was young.”
“I'm sorry to hear that. Mine have both passed on as well.” He set the cup in its saucer. “Miss Townsend, if you don't mind my asking, how old are you?”
“I will be two and twenty in June.” She paused. “And you?”
He raised his eyebrows, but he answered her. “I just turned thirty. Three days after we met, actually.” He glanced about and noted with some surprise the book lying on the table near Elizabeth. “Do you read, Miss Townsend?”
She nodded. “Anything I can get my hands on, though that hasn’t been much, lately.”
He leaned forward and studied her intently. “Miss Townsend, forgive my bein
g forward, but you seem rather well-educated for someone of your…circumstances,” he finished lamely.
Elizabeth gave a small laugh. “My father believed everyone deserved an education, no matter what their station in life.” That statement was entirely true. Her father had made sure each one of his servants knew how to read and write, and learned anything else he could teach them.
“Was he a teacher?”
“No, but he was very smart. Actually, he was a businessman. Something I hear he has in common with you,” she added, grasping the opportunity to change the subject.
“Ah, I see Lainey has been talking.”
“Yes. I've learned quite a bit about you in your absence,” she teased.
“I see I have some catching up to do, then.”
“Tell me about your business,” Elizabeth said, desperate to steer the conversation away from herself. “I thought noblemen didn't usually engage in such lowly pursuits,” she said with a small smile.
“Normally, they don't. My father was a businessman before he was a peer. He had started a business importing silks and other luxury fabrics, and by the time he was three-and-twenty he was turning a healthy profit. The earldom was quite unexpected. And though he was very proud of his title, he was a working man through and through, and he refused to give it up. When he passed, I took over everything.”
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, actually, I do. It keeps me busy and gives me purpose. I get to travel and meet all sorts of people, and even Lainey helps every now and again. Plus, I'm very popular with the ladies in town.” Elizabeth's mouth dropped open at his candid words and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “I'm teasing you, Miss Townsend.”
“Oh! Of course. Because of the silk. For dresses.” She couldn’t seem to stem the flow of stupidity, so she gulped her tea to stop the babbling, hiding behind the comfort of the cup. What was it about this man that rattled her so? She hadn't meant to reveal that bit of information about her father. It had just tumbled from her lips in a moment of nervous chatter. Lord Ashby seemed genuine, yet Elizabeth had never known a good man in her life, other than her father, and she didn't want to trust that he could really be so kind. It was still early yet. She had learned long ago that people were never what they seemed at first.
Aidan broke into her thoughts. “Speaking of dresses, my sister tells me I have been remiss in your care. Now that you are up and about, you'll need some decent clothing to wear. I'll arrange to have Mrs. Essex pay you a visit as soon as you feel up to it so she can get you some dresses made. She's the best dressmaker in town—I think she's made just about everything Lainey owns.”
“Oh no, you needn’t bother!”
“I insist. For heaven’s sake, I have made my fortune in fabric. What would people say if I didn't at least clothe you properly?”
“But—”
“It's the least I can do. And I do get a good discount,” he added wryly.
Elizabeth smiled. For such a serious-looking man, he did seem to have some sense of humor. “I have no doubt.” She thought a moment. “I do know how to sew. Perhaps you could send Mary to purchase something secondhand at the market that I could alter to fit.” It would also be a good opportunity for Mary to ask after Besty.
Aidan raised his eyebrows in surprise. “An accomplished seamstress as well?”
“It's how I earned a living in Kent,” she admitted. “And I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m accomplished. I took in mending and laundry, hardly a highly skilled trade. It was hard work for very little pay, but it kept a roof over my head and some food on the table.”
“I see.” Aidan regarded her silently, a myriad of indiscernible emotions flickering across his face. “Miss Townsend, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but you need only to focus on getting better. It’s just a few dresses. I would like to do this for you.”
“But I really can't accept—”
“I would like to do this for you,” he repeated, leaning forward. “To thank you.” The words were softly said, but his tone brooked no argument.
Elizabeth squirmed in her chair. She had sold most everything she had to travel to London, and what was left probably wasn’t going to land her respectable work. She desperately needed money at the moment. What was one or two work dresses to this man? She didn’t want to be beholden to him, but she really had no choice. “Very well, then. Thank you for your generosity. But I will pay you back.”
Aidan shrugged. “As you wish. I'll send a note over now.” He stood to go. “If you'll excuse me, Miss Townsend, unfortunately I have to catch up on all the estate business I missed while I was away. And, you look rather tired.”
“Yes,” she sighed. “I still don't have quite the energy I should have.”
“It will come back, Miss Townsend. Give yourself some time. You're looking much better already.” He nodded to her. “Good afternoon.”
With a slight bow, he turned and left, and Elizabeth exhaled slowly. Well, that had been…interesting. Lord Ashby had been looking at her as though she were his favorite baked treat before he’d recovered himself and slipped on his lordly demeanor. But for those few seconds, she’d seen a surprising vulnerability in his eyes. Perhaps he wasn't the man on the inside that he wanted everyone to see on the outside. There were cracks in his reserved façade, and for a moment, Elizabeth allowed herself to wonder who this man would be if he let down his guard.
But only for a moment. There was no point in trying to get to know him. She would be on the run again soon enough—there will certainly no place in her life for an earl.
The sun was getting lower in the sky, and the temperature was beginning to drop, so Elizabeth gathered her book and went back into her room to lie on the chaise by the fire. She'd only read a few sentences before she fell fast asleep.
Chapter 9
A few days later, Elizabeth asked Mary to put her hair up and help her with the wrapper Lainey had given her. With Lainey's permission, she had made some alterations to it so that it now fit her appallingly thin frame…more or less. Elizabeth studied herself in the mirror. It was always a shock to see the pale, malnourished person who had taken over the vibrant girl she used to be. She did her best to avoid mirrors. They only reminded her of everything she had lost.
She slowly limped her way out of the room. It felt odd to be wandering about a total stranger's house alone, but she couldn't bear to be trapped in that room one more minute, and her host did say she was free to look around as she pleased.
He was a different sort of man, this Lord Ashby. He still came to visit with her every day, and they had gotten to know each other a little. Elizabeth still couldn’t quite make out his character. He had an air of seriousness about him that didn’t seem like it was his true nature, because when he did smile his face lit with a brillliance that made Elizabeth's heart flutter. He exuded the self-confidence of the upper class, but he never used it to make her feel small. He could be charming, polite, and proper, then in the next instant, he could look at her so intently that her breath would be stolen completely away.
He was exactly the kind of man she feared most.
Yet there was something about him that drew her in, an energy that ignited the air around him. She had felt so oddly protected when he had stepped between her and Smythe. And the way he had looked at her on the street...it had completely unnerved her. It was like he could see right into her soul. She’d trusted a man like that once.
Trust was a luxury she could no longer afford.
She was struggling to get down the stairs, puzzling about the man who had come to her rescue, when all of a sudden, he was there again, repeating his performance.
“Miss Townsend? May I be of assistance?”
She started and turned to face him, trying not to grimace at the stab of pain the sudden movement caused. “I couldn't stand one more minute of lying in that bed—comfortable though it is,” she added apologetically.
“I see.” Aidan nodded. “Being a restless soul myself, I can cer
tainly understand your predicament. But are you sure you are ready to be up and about?”
“Ready or not, here I am. Lainey had mentioned you had a library I might like to visit. I didn't think that would be too taxing.”
“Except for the trip there,” he said, amusement twinkling in his eyes. “Please, you must let me assist you before you fall.”
“Oh, no, that's not necessary. I can—”
“I insist,” he said, laying her hand on his arm. “I didn't pick you up off the cobblestones only to have you fall down my stairs and break your neck.”
His hand was warm over hers, and it rattled her to have him so close. Her pulse began to pound in her ears, and she had no choice but to lean on him because her legs were beginning to shake with the effort of her descent. Surely her physical weakness was what was causing her knees to wobble. Wasn’t it?
As if sensing her dilemma, Aidan said, “You do realize that you will have to come back up these stairs at some point.”
Elizabeth laughed in spite of herself, unconsciously bringing her hand to her aching side. “I have all day.”
“Perhaps I should endeavor to not make you laugh.” Aidan’s brows knit together in concern.
“Oh please, my lord, I beg you not to be more serious!” Elizabeth turned scarlet at the look of surprise on his face. “I…I mean…I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I just meant that I dearly like to laugh.”
“And perhaps I could use more of that as well?”
“Oh. Well. Perhaps.” She gave him an overly bright smile and glanced down the stairs. Too many more to go. She envisioned sliding down the banister just to get away from Lord Ashby faster. She giggled at the thought.
“Do I make you nervous, Miss Townsend?”
“What? Ah. Well, erhm…” Hysterical laughter threatened to bubble up out of her throat. She knew the answer was painfully obvious, but she could see he was still going to force her to admit it. “As a matter of fact, yes, you do.”
All That I Am: A Victorian Historical Romance (The Hesitant Husbands Series Book 1) Page 6