“See there, everyone is still picking berries just as I said they would be.” Lady Beatrice gave a pleased smile. “I do hope you left some for us, Miss Godwin,” she called, when she caught sight of me.
Panic rose within me. I had assured Augustus I’d keep her safe, and yet I had no idea where she was.
“Where is Ruth?” he called, dropping his arm from Lady Beatrice’s grasp and hastening toward me.
The accusation in his voice was nearly too much to endure in my current state, and I blinked away the tears that blurred my eyes. “I’m sure she is not far. She was right here only a moment ago.”
Augustus’s posture went rigid, and his eyes swept the hedges. “Ruth!” he called, stepping around me.
Lord Thorton approached us. “They have likely just gone in search of strawberries. There is no need to overreact.”
“Ruth!” Augustus moved forward with increased determination, attracting the gawking stares of some of the other berry pickers.
Hesitantly, I lifted my skirts and followed.
He pressed through a narrow divide in the hedge. “Ruth!” he called, from the other side.
Taking hold of my bonnet and lowering my chin, I pushed through after him, the thorns taking hold of my day dress. Despite the snags it would cause, I forced my way through. “She could not have gotten far. We only left her for a moment.”
He spun toward me. “You said you’d keep an eye on her. You said I could trust you, and yet you left her. Why?” My face flushed red, his expression shifting from bewilderment to anger. His jaw tightened and his teeth clenched. “Do not tell me it was for a rendezvous in the bushes to further along your suit?”
I drew in a shuddered breath. “It was only a moment.”
He shook his head. “What kind of friend are you?” A tear escaped onto my cheek, but Augustus turned from me, jogging forward. “Ruth!”
Lady Beatrice muttered under her breath, pressing through the same bush Augustus and I had gone through. “Wretched plants,” she hissed, smoothing out her skirts. “I have just snagged one of my best dresses.”
I started forward again.
“Have you located them?” Lord Thorton stepped through a much wider opening in the hedge a few yards in front of us, and Lady Beatrice blew out an exasperated breath.
“Not yet.”
“Why did you not tell me there was a larger opening?” Lady Beatrice demanded, scowling at Lord Thorton.
Not a touch of remorse was evident in his features. “Why did you not wait behind like I instructed?”
Lady Beatrice huffed indignantly. “Why I never—”
The sound of a faint cry compelled me forward to a small copse of trees. “Ruth!” I took hold of my skirts and ran, the sound of men arguing growing louder.
A small clearing opened, and I caught sight of Augustus pinning Mr. Green to the trunk of a large tree. Ruth watched in terror, tears streaming down her face.
“Ruth!” I called, gesturing her to me.
Her widened eyes met mine, and she made haste to where I stood, collapsing into my embrace with a sob.
“How you call yourself a gentleman—” Augustus growled through gritted teeth.
Mr. Green glared back at him, his face growing red with anger in his futile attempts to free himself from Augustus’s unrelenting hold.
I heard Lady Beatrice gasp and the hurried footsteps of Lord Thorton from behind.
“Release him, Mr. Brundage.” Lord Thorton pressed past me.
Augustus’s gaze landed on Lord Thorton, a look in his eyes I had never seen in him before—absolute loathing. He did not relent.
Lord Thorton lifted his hands in a gesture of peace. “Let him go, and we will discuss this.”
Augustus’s chest heaved as he pressed harder into Mr. Green, but then he gave one final push on Mr. Green’s chest and stepped back. Mr. Green hurried to right himself, tugging at the bottom of his jacket to straighten out the creases left by Augustus’s grip.
Augustus pointed at Mr. Green. “Don’t you ever come near Ruth again.”
Mr. Green looked up at Augustus, his face still red with fury. “I only acted in accordance to Miss Seton’s inducements.”
Augustus’s eyes flashed to me, and I dropped my gaze, unable to bear the accusation in them. “Had she known of your intentions, she never would have encouraged a degenerate like you.”
“And yet here we stand.” Mr. Green’s eyes flicked toward us, a slight smirk on his lips. “Witnesses to attest to what has transpired between us.”
My lips parted, and I held a hand over Ruth’s ear, pressing the other against me, as though that would somehow keep Mr. Green’s accusations from sinking in.
“You scoundrel.” Augustus started forward again, and Lord Thorton stepped between them, his large arms outstretched to prevent another altercation.
“Come now, gentlemen. Let us be reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” Augustus threw up a hand toward Mr. Green. “How is one to be reasonable when it is evident what his purpose is?”
“I love her,” Mr. Green said, causing Ruth to lift her head. “I love you, Ruth. I did not mean to frighten you, but I could not restrain my desire for you.”
“Liar.” Augustus stepped in an attempt to block Mr. Green’s view of Ruth. “Your only desire is for her supposed fortune.”
Ruth went rigid in my embrace.
Augustus shook his head, the muscles in his jaw flexing. “Well, I’ve never been happier to inform someone that she has no fortune. I received a letter two days past informing me that the Court of Chancery ruled against our appeal. The Crown is officially the sole inheritor of the Setons’ estate.”
As we all stood in stunned silence, the hurt began to set in. My dearest Ruth had nothing, and Augustus had not confided in me about it.
Augustus drew in a breath and directed his vehement glare back on Mr. Green. “Will you still profess your love for her when she is as poor as you?”
Ruth’s breath halted as though in anticipation of the answer, or perhaps in response to the hurt Augustus’s words had caused. I held her tighter, compensating for my own unsteadiness.
Mr. Green’s eyes lingered on Ruth a moment before he lowered his gaze, his silence louder than anything.
Augustus moved toward us, his focus locked on Ruth. “Let’s go home,” he whispered, holding his hand out for her.
With one uncertain glance at me, she left me and sunk into his embrace.
I looked to where Lady Beatrice had been, only to find her retreating figure nearly at the hedges. She was likely eager to tell the others of the encounter before I could swear her to silence. Wretched gossip.
Lord Thorton had a hand on Mr. Green’s shoulder. “Miss Godwin, go now, and I will be along shortly.”
Attempting to not show my relief at his command, I started toward the hedge. When I had made it to the other side and out of view of Lord Thorton, I hurried to rejoin Augustus and Ruth. “Wait, please,” I called when I was only a few paces behind.
Augustus paused but did not look back at me.
My breathing was heavy as I drew up next to them, Ruth’s tear-stained face wrenching at my gut. “I am so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
Augustus started forward again, and I took hold of his arm, stopping him. “Please. Let me try to make amends.”
“How could you possibly undo this damage, Bella?” All the warmth was gone from his eyes.
Ruth released a quivering breath. “This is not Bella’s fault.”
“No. The blame is mine.” Augustus met my gaze. “Bella attempted to warn me against the type of woman she truly was, and I refused to believe her.”
My heart shattered, the pain of it surging through my entire being.
“What do you mean?” Ruth’s voice hitched.
A tear rolled down my cheek. “I was the one who told Mr. Green that you were an heiress.”
Ruth’s brown eyes grew wide with understanding.
I wanted to shrink away, but in desperation, I took hold of her hand. “My reasonings were misguided, but I assure you they were not ill-intentioned.”
The hurt in Ruth’s features did not lessen, and she pulled her hand from me. “Augi, I want to go home,” she whispered.
Augustus nodded, leading her forward again, but I did not have the strength to follow this time. I watched, motionless, until they disappeared. My legs trembled beneath me, and I looked around for somewhere to take cover. A large tree near the bank of the lake caught my attention. With its massive trunk and the overgrown bushes surrounding it, it seemed an adequate spot for privacy. I staggered my way to it, arriving just as my strength gave out, and crumpled to the ground, sobbing.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Where in the heavens have you been, child?” Mother scanned my dirtied dress and red, blotchy face. She drew closer, so as not to be overheard. “And why do you look so unkempt?”
I glanced around to find the picnic area emptied and the guests loading into carriages. Had Lady Beatrice not shared the scandal with everyone as I’d expected, or had the rumors simply not yet met Mother’s ears? “Ruth and Augustus are leaving,” I said, flatly.
“They already have. I saw them load into their carriage well over an hour ago.”
I nodded, my heart sinking at the confirmation.
Mother’s eyes narrowed. “Do you mean they are removing from Branbury?”
I gave a second nod, this one even slower.
Mother took hold of my arm, pulling me a tad farther from the curious gazes directed at us from the carriage windows. “What happened?”
“Mr. Green attempted to get Ruth in a compromising situation. Apparently he believed …” My voice quivered, unable to confess my folly to Mother.
“That she was an heiress?”
“Yes.” My voice was quiet and distant.
“Yes, I heard rumors of your foolish tale.” Mother shook her head. “Though I suppose it’s all for the best.”
I flinched. “All for the best? Ruth’s reputation will likely be marred because of me.” Emotion touched my voice, but I swallowed it down.
“Yes. Quite ironic, really.” Mother gave an amused smirk and glanced behind us. “Now dust yourself off before Lord Thorton returns. We cannot have him believing you’ve been hiding away moping.”
My energy expired, I simply stood there staring at her.
“Arabella,” Mother hissed, motioning to my dress.
I looked down, shaking the loose debris free and plucking off a few stubborn bits with my fingers. The hem was soiled but there was nothing to be done.
“Miss Godwin.” Lord Thorton approached from behind, his eyes skirting over my dress in agitation. “Where have you been? I have been out searching for you for nigh on thirty minutes.”
Mother gave a subtle lift of her brow, making it clear what she expected.
“Forgive me. I got turned around on my way back to the picnic.” I looked down at my ruined dress. “And I took a tumble during my attempts to find my way back.”
Concern touched Lord Thorton’s features, the hard set of his jaw softening. “I forget that a woman is not equal to a man when it comes to navigating out of doors. Forgive me. I should have seen you back safely.”
All I could do was nod.
He released a heavy exhale. “Let us be glad you found your way back. I was returning to organize a search party.”
Several gentlemen waited just outside of the carriages. Had it been me they were waiting on? I suppose I hadn’t thought of the consequence of my absence, but I also hadn’t realized how soon the group had intended to leave or I would have returned sooner. Perhaps we would make it back before Augustus and Ruth could depart Branbury. I brightened a little at the thought, until I realized they would likely not speak to me even if they were still there.
“Are you not glad, Arabella, that a search party was not required?” Mother’s voice sounded distant in my ears.
“Yes.” Mother nodded, pressing me on. “And I am sorry if I caused any of you a scare, my lord.”
“No harm done.” Lord Thorton’s gaze snaked down my figure in a way that made me want to wrap my arms around myself. “Except to your lovely dress, perhaps.”
“Yes. Such a shame.” Mother put a hand behind my back, guiding me forward. “Let us be on our way. I’d hate to keep Lady Thorton waiting on us any longer.”
Lord Thorton stepped into our path. “I was hoping I could have a brief word with your daughter in private, Lady Godwin?”
Mother’s false smile for Lord Thorton faded as her eyes moved to me, relaying her expectations without needing to say a word. “Certainly, my lord,” she said, leaving us to talk.
Lord Thorton faced me, his large frame blocking out the watchful gazes from the carriages lined up behind us. “Miss Godwin, I am sorry for how things turned out with your friends. I did not bring them here to be thus treated. But I must assure you that Mr. Green is the best of men and meant no ill will toward Miss Seton.”
I stared up at him, unblinking. “Best of men? The supposed gentleman who just attempted to take advantage of my dearest friend? That Mr. Green?”
Lord Thorton’s eyes shot to the side. “I can understand that you’re angry,” he whispered. “But Mr. Green swore he meant no harm by his actions. He said he only intended to have a little fun with the girl, seeing how encouraging she had been toward him.”
Rage pumped through me with each racing beat of my heart, and I fisted my hands at my side. “Your friend is a cad.”
Lord Thorton appraised me, then one side of his mouth lifted in a partial smile.
“What about this could you possibly find humorous, my lord?”
He rubbed a hand over his mouth to cover his growing amusement. “Nothing. I assure you I take the accusation of cad very seriously.”
My whole body shook. “If you will excuse me. I cannot tolerate being mocked in my current state.” I moved to step around him, but he took hold of my upper arm.
“Miss Godwin, please.” He looked down at me, pinning me with an obnoxious frown. “I do not mean to make light of the situation. It is just that I’m overjoyed to see the spark in you again.”
I did not respond.
“If it will vindicate you, I will admit Mr. Green can be a cad at times.”
“It is not I who requires vindication,” I spat.
Despite his best efforts, his lips curved upward again, and I forced my arm from his grip. Countless wide-eyed faces followed me to the carriage, yet I found I didn’t care at all. Perhaps this would give them something to gossip about besides Ruth.
When I climbed into the carriage, Lady Thorton pulled her skirts against the bench so they would not be sullied by mine. “Heavens, child. You look as though you have been out wallowing in the mud.”
I had nothing to offer but a wearied expression. “I was.”
Lord Thorton lumbered in behind me, the carriage dipping beneath his weight, when he caught sight of his mother’s shocked expression. “Miss Godwin got lost on her way back from picking blackberries.” His tone was matter-of-fact, free of any discernable emotion.
Lady Thorton arched a brow. “It is quite a feat to get lost at such a location as this.”
“Arabella gets lost wherever she goes.” Mother’s dishonesty grated more than usual. “I don’t know how many times we had to send the servants out to find her at Fellerton Hall.”
The suspicion in Lady Thorton’s expression lessened, ever eager to believe Mother, lest she was forced to confront the truth so plainly before her. I was no more than a compilation of lies Mother had fed her.
The carriage started forward, the rumbling of the wheels a welcome respite from the buzzing inside me.
“And what are the gentlemen’s plans for tomorrow, Lord Thorton?” I could hear the victorious tone in Mother’s voice, having successfully righted yet another of my follies. “I am hopeful my husband will arrive before the group sets out.”
Uninterested in his reply, I shifted my attention out the window, allowing the voices to fade and the void within to consume me.
Lord Thorton’s booming laugh reverberated through the carriage, pulling my thoughts from the emptiness.
Mother glanced past me, out the window. “Are we nearly to Branbury already?”
Lady Thorton nodded. “It will come into view just ahead.”
I took in the large hedge. Blurred from the movement, it appeared to be one giant plant. The scene conjured a memory I longed to repress. Yet as Branbury came into view, I was transported back to my first time viewing the large house on my way to Fairhaven—Augustus’s warm breath on my neck and his hands firmly on my waist. My breath hitched, and instead of pushing it away, I closed my eyes to keep hold of the sensations for as long as I could.
“It is quite a sight, is it not?” Lord Thorton was watching me when my eyes fluttered open.
I gave a slow nod.
He smiled, and leaned back into his seat. “Should you like to be mistress of such a place?”
Mother and Lady Thorton shared a meaningful glance in my periphery, and I looked back out the window toward the grand house and its imposing grounds. I did not answer.
“Arabella,” Mother said, a warning in her tone. “Lord Thorton has asked you a question.”
The lie nearly choked me as I forced it out. “I should like it very much.” I kept my eyes fixed on Branbury, and my thoughts turned to Ruth. Then Augustus. Were they still here or had they managed to pack their things and set off already? Despite having no notion what I would say to either of them, I could not help but hope I had not missed them.
“Arabella, dear?” Mother’s overly-sweet tone sent a shiver through me.
Slowly, I turned to face her.
Her taut expression informed me I had earned myself a scolding. “Are you well, darling? Or have your adventures today exhausted you?” She pulled a glove from her hand and touched my cheek with the inside of her wrist, the unfamiliar image of a caring Mother. “Perhaps you should take a rest before dinner.”
A Well-Trained Lady (Seasons of Change Book 4) Page 26