Love in the Bargain (Women of Worth, #1)

by Stockton, Kasey

  Mrs. Hurst grinned at the Major. “Better late than not to have come at all.”

  That was a strange sentiment, most of London’s hostesses would believe the opposite to be true. Unless, of course, they had thought the man in question to be a suitor for their daughter. Mrs. Hurst was positively beaming, her gaze dancing between Major Heybourne and Freya.

  Freya, on the other hand, looked exceedingly uncomfortable.

  “Major Heybourne, allow me to introduce my dear friend, Lady Rosalynn Nichols.”

  He bowed and she curtseyed, her eye meeting mine on the way up.

  Rosalynn smiled innocently. “How very fortunate we are to meet you, Major. We’ve heard so much about you.”

  I could have kicked her. If we had been sitting around a table I certainly would have. At the present, I had to make do with an icy stare.

  Major Heybourne, however, found nothing to be embarrassed by. He reared his head back and loud, rolling laughter poured out.

  I could not help but smile in return. Largely due to relief that he hadn’t been offended by Rosalynn’s implication.

  “I’m sure you have,” he said, wiping his eye.

  Mrs. Hurst looked decidedly uncomfortable. She glanced between the Major and Rosalynn, and then to Freya, who was on the outside of understanding as well. I was not about to explain the situation to everyone, but the proper hint might help Freya make the connection herself.

  “Major Heybourne was just telling us how he is moving to London permanently,” Mrs. Hurst said. She looked to Freya, whose cheeks pinked.

  Oh, dear. Had approaching with Rosalynn ruined an opportunity for Freya? Given her discomfort, I could only think I had aided her. Her mother’s panicked face told another story.

  “I was about to ask Miss Hurst here if she would like to accompany me on an outing to Gunter’s tomorrow,” Major Heybourne said, eyeing Freya. He turned to me suddenly with a warm smile. “Shall we find ourselves a few more gentlemen and make an outing of it?”

  “That would be delightful!” Freya answered before anyone else could try and demure. “Perhaps Rosalynn’s brothers would be willing to be our escorts. Or we could invite Mr. Fenway.”

  Why in heaven’s name would Freya make that suggestion?

  Rosalynn must have caught my stunned face. “I’m sure my brothers would be glad for an ice.”

  “Splendid!” Major Heybourne said, rolling back on the heels of his feet. Mrs. Hurst gave a tight smile, but Freya seemed very pleased.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The carriage pulled up in front of our house and I stepped away from the window to retrieve my bonnet. Rosalynn’s note had said that she secured escorts and would instruct everyone to meet at my house, where we could all walk down to Gunter’s Tea Shop together.

  Billington was coming up to fetch me when I closed my door and skipped down the stairs and directly into the presence of Lord Cameron.

  “Oh!” Surprise backed me up a few steps.

  His dark hair was pushed away from his forehead and a satisfied smile lit his mouth as he glanced around our foyer. Something about him almost seemed predatory and it made me want to shove him out the door but I settled for a quick curtsey and moved past him to walk down the steps myself where Rosalynn and Lord McGregor were waiting.

  “Shall we go?” Rosalynn asked.

  “What of Freya and the Major?”

  “Major Heybourne sent a note. He planned to pick up Freya in his phaeton and meet us at the tea shop.”

  Lord McGregor stuck out an elbow and Rosalynn placed her hand on it softly, turning toward Berkeley Square. I clasped my gloved hands quickly behind my back and followed them, Lord Cameron falling into step beside me.

  “Have you read the paper this morning?” he asked.

  Could I ignore him and maintain proper etiquette? The answer, unfortunately, was no.

  “If you are referring to the dramatized article about my performance last evening and apparent new love interest then I must say, you are every bit as bad as that writer.”

  Lord Cameron chuckled. “I cannot help but find it entertaining.”

  “Of course not. It is not your privacy being invaded.”

  He halted. “How is your privacy being invaded? The article has not mentioned anything that did not happen in public. The writer is not announcing what you ate for breakfast or whether you spent hours in your family’s library reading The Green Door. They are reporting on various activities which were witnessed in public.”

  “But why me?” I asked, my arms shooting out in exasperation. “Rosalynn gave the amazing performance, not I, and she was not even mentioned. And it was Rosalynn who swore in public, momentarily silencing the entire room! But yet they found it necessary to report on my mediocre pianoforte playing and new suitor?” I gripped his sleeve in frustration. “Major Heybourne isn’t even my suitor!”

  He looked down at my fingers fastened onto his wrist and I immediately let go, jumping back as though his arm had turned to hot coals. Heat suffused my cheeks and I began walking toward Gunter’s, quickening my pace and hoping to leave my outburst behind us.

  His long legs caught him up swiftly. “I can see why that would be confusing and I wish I had an answer for you.”

  “Do not let it bother you, Lord Cameron.”

  “I’m not,” he said.

  I tried to pick up the pace again, glad I wore my sturdier half boots for the excursion.

  “You are truly angry about this?” His voice was incredulous. I wished he would give my feelings a little more credit. First, he could not believe that Rosalynn and I had a secret worth hiding and now he was shocked I would be upset that my name was being bandied about London newspapers.

  I stopped and turned to him. The sun hit my nose and I squinted to see into Lord Cameron’s dark eyes. “Why shouldn’t it matter to me? Am I meant to shove down every feeling I have which is inconvenient? I am human, too, Lord Cameron. I cannot shut off my senses so easily.”

  His brows drew together. Even while he considered my claim to basic humanity, he was exceedingly handsome. I kicked myself for the thought. Of course he was attractive. Rosalynn’s entire family was beautiful. But he was also thoughtless and inconsiderate.

  I shook my head. There would be no getting through to him, so I needn’t try. “Let us agree to disagree and not bicker further. I do not want my first ice ruined by these petty disagreements.”

  “Deal,” he said, holding out his hand. I stared at it a moment. Shaking hands implied equality; to acknowledge that both parties had equal say in the agreement. Was he mocking me?

  Hesitantly I complied and he closed his large fingers around my own, sending a warm shiver up my arm. We shook once and I slipped my hand back, rushing to catch up to Rosalynn and Lord McGregor.

  “I have one more question for you,” he said when he reached my side.

  I glanced at him briefly, his own hands clasped behind his back as he strolled alongside me.

  “Are you going to choose an ice or sorbet?”

  “THIS IS ABSOLUTE HEAVEN,” I said after swallowing a bite of strawberry sorbet.

  “I do not think I could live this close and not visit every single day,” Freya said, giving me a meaningful look. “You have much self control, Elsie.”

  I grinned. “That was before I’d tried it.”

  “I would love to accompany you here any time you’d like,” Major Heybourne valiantly offered.

  “You are too kind, sir,” I said.

  I took my last bite of sorbet and lifted my head to make eye contact with Lord Cameron. His eyebrow was raised as though he was saying, “not a suitor, eh?”

  I held his gaze a moment longer and then turned to Rosalynn. “Shall we walk through the park?”

  “Yes, let’s.”

  We left behind Gunter’s and its fantastic array of treats and crossed into Berkeley Square. Freya drew my arm around her own and held tightly.

  “How was the drive?” I asked quietly.
r />   “It could have been worse. He is a kind man.”

  I lifted my eyebrows. “And therein lies the problem?”

  She gave me a telling glance.

  Lord McGregor came alongside us. “Will I have the pleasure of seeing you both at Almack’s tomorrow evening?”

  “Yes,” I said. Freya nodded.

  “Fantastic. I must request a dance from each of you, then.”

  A volley of barking cut off our responses as a small dog ran between our gowns, spraying a smattering of mud on us when he passed.

  “Good gads!” Lord McGregor exclaimed, pulling us to the side. The small dog was circling the tree before us, barking excitedly. He halted behind the tree and peeked out, before he growled once, rearing back his lips to show sharp yellow teeth.

  “Stay back!” Major Heybourne shouted, pushing himself in front of us. My gaze caught a large dog closer to the street reciprocating the growl, straining against his master’s lead.

  I struggled against the Major’s grip when the lead snapped, the large, hairy dog suddenly springing directly at us.

  “Quick! Save the dog!” I yelled, breaking free of the Major’s arms and lunging for the tree. Strong hands gripped my arms, holding me back and I turned to see Lord Cameron, his face set in disapproving lines, refusing to let me go.

  “He is in danger!” I yelled, to no avail. The monstrous dog leaped past us, shooting at the tree and chasing the smaller one away. We watched them dart around the park, the small dog quick on his feet but no match for the larger one’s strides. It only took moments for him to pin down the small, dirty rascal. I took advantage of Lord Cameron’s slack to rip free and dart across the lawn. I looked about me for a weapon, but there was nothing. Not a total surprise, since we were in the center of the metropolis.

  “Get off!” I yelled at the large dog. An evil glint in his eye mocked me and he turned his head at the sound of my voice. I went for the collar around his neck when another man approached, his breath coming fast and a broken leash in his hand.

  “Your dog?” I asked.

  “M’masters,” he responded, out of breath. He got a hold of the collar and I dropped to the ground to pull the small, defenseless dog free.

  A searing pain sliced down my arm as the large dog fought his master. I ignored the red blurring the edge of my vision and pulled the small, shaky pup into my lap. We scooted away from the claws of the monster while his man muttered apologies, managing to pull him away.

  “You’re hurt!” shrieked Freya, her hands coming up to cover her mouth.

  Blood trickled down my forearm and began pooling on my gown. I shifted the frightened dog in my lap and looked away, repressing the queasiness in my gut. The dog found comfort in my arms and nestled in further, yelping suddenly when I shifted.

  Rosalynn gasped. “Elsie! Push it aside!”

  “I cannot. He is hurt.” I tried to sound calm so I could, in turn, soothe my friends. It did not work.

  “But the blood,” Freya said. “It’s everywhere.”

  I glanced down to where the red sticky substance had covered my wrist and bled all over the skirt of my gown. The pup’s fur was matted and tinged red, though I could not tell if the blood was mine or his own. I looked up, my vision beginning to sway, when Lord Cameron knelt in front of me.

  I used his dark eyes as a base to keep me grounded, and he said softly, “Miss Cox, are you well?”

  “Yes,” I lied. “Though, this poor dog...”

  The next thing I knew, black was closing in around me, clouding over my thoughts and into my vision until the darkness took over and I fell, suddenly, asleep.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Voices swirled around me, some of them familiar, though they melted into a blur. My eyes blinked open and I instantly recognized the pale green ceiling of my drawing room with gold trimming and ivory accents.

  “Mother?” I asked. She peered directly over my face, lying horizontally as I was, on the sofa.

  “Awake! Doctor, come, she’s awake,” Mother squeaked.

  An older man with thick, white sideburns bent over me, peering into my eyes. He lifted a finger and directed me to follow it, then stepped away and murmured to my mother. My arm was stiff and I ran my fingers along it, surprised to find my forearm wrapped in linen.

  Rosalynn knelt beside me, clasping my hand in hers. “How are you feeling?”

  “Sleepy,” I replied, letting go of her hand to push myself into a seated position. She helped me upright and I closed my eyes until the room quit spinning. Opening them again hesitantly, I blinked a few times to clear my head and took in five peering faces, not counting my mother and the doctor speaking near the door.

  “What happened?” I asked, feeling out of sorts.

  “A huge dog attacked you!” Mother said, anxiously coming to sit beside me on the sofa.

  The outing came back to me and I shook my head, then regretted it instantly. “No, he did not attack me, he attacked—but wait, where is the little dog?” I could hear the panic rise in my voice as I noticed the sheepish faces around me.

  “We left it at the park,” Lord McGregor explained from the far side of the room. Lord Cameron, standing between him and the window, was the only face which did not look abashed.

  I stood quickly. That was a mistake. The blood rushed from my head and I swayed, a little woozy, coming to sit hard on the sofa again.

  “I must go get him,” I said wearily, dizzy from my foolish effort to stand with such haste.

  “You will not do anything of the sort,” Mother said, enraged.

  “But he was hurt.”

  Freya and Rosalynn exchanged glances. “We can go and look for it,” Rosalynn offered hesitantly. “But I’m not sure we’ll have much luck.”

  Of course they wouldn’t have much luck, for they surely wouldn’t look sufficiently. If they were comfortable leaving the frightened thing at the park in the first place, they could not possibly care as much as they needed to in order to find him. An idea formed on shaky legs in my mind and I glanced from my friends and back to my mother.

  I tried to make my voice sound as drained as I felt—which wasn’t much of a chore. “Actually, it’s fine. He is probably long gone now.” I swallowed, fully aware I had every ear in the room—including Lord Cameron’s skeptical one. “In fact, I am quite fatigued. I think a nap will do me just right if I am to rest up before Almack’s.”

  “Tomorrow is Wednesday,” Rosalynn informed me.

  “And I am exceedingly tired,” I countered.

  Major Heybourne stood at once. “I must fetch my phaeton, but I will be back shortly for you, Miss Hurst.”

  “We can take her home,” Rosalynn offered. “Our carriage is already here.”

  He gave Freya a searching look before glancing back at me—I tried to look sufficiently exhausted from my ordeal—and then nodded once. Mother called Billington for Rosalynn’s carriage and we waited a few minutes for it to be brought around.

  “Please send me a note in the morning,” Rosalynn said, squeezing my hands.

  I nodded. Each of my friends stopped at the sofa to wish me farewell, except Lord Cameron. He was the final one to leave, yet still, he stood by the window, searching my face as though trying to find the answer to a question only he knew. Lord McGregor gave him a questioning look from the door and cleared his throat loudly.

  Lord Cameron tore his gaze from me. “Yes, let us be off.” He nodded to my mother, and then to me, and strolled right out.

  “I shall call you a bath,” Mother said, standing. “Then you must rest the remainder of the evening.” She shuffled toward the door, muttering, “I’ll write to the Durhams. We cannot be expected to attend dinner this evening.”

  “No!” I shouted. Mother spun back, confused. I backtracked. “I only meant that you and Father should not have to cancel plans with your friends over this. I am well, only tired.”

  She searched my face.

  “Truly,” I said, standing—albeit, much mor
e slowly this time. “I will take that bath and then I vow I shall sleep the rest of the afternoon.”

  “Very well,” she said slowly. “I will speak to your father about it.”

  Once she left the room, I slouched onto the couch again. I needed a bath, a bracing cup of tea, and then I would be restored sufficiently to go out and find that dog.

  “SHALL I BRAID YOUR hair, miss?” Molly asked, brushing my long, wet mane. I was refreshed and clean, except for my bandaged arm that I had kept from the tub, and wrapped tightly in a dressing gown. I spent the duration of my bath determining whether or not I could trust Molly.

  She painstakingly spread out my night clothes on the bed behind us. There was only one option open to me. I had to take my chances.

  “If you would, yes please. And then wind it into a knot?”

  “For bed, miss?”

  “No,” I took a deep breath and caught her questioning eye in the mirror. “I must go out.”

  “But your Mama—”

  “Yes, I know. She thinks I am going to bed.” I had relayed the entire episode at the park while Molly had washed my hair. “But you see, I have to at least try to find the dog. He was hurt, and so scared...”

  She sectioned off my hair and began a plait, avoiding my face in the mirror. I could see the uncertainty playing across her features.

  “Mother and Father leave for the Durhams in an hour, and it will still be light out. I promise I will be back before dark, and no one shall ever know I left in the first place. Or that you helped me dress for it.”

  Her gaze shot to mine. “Very well, but you can’t go out alone. I’m going with you.”

  A smile spread over my lips. I had made the right choice. I settled into her ministrations.

  “We’ll find the mongrel much faster with two sets of eyes,” she continued. “Now, why don’t you describe him to me so I know what to look for.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Wearing the darkest of our gowns, Molly and I tripped down the servants’ staircase, sneaking into the foyer on the main level during the servants’ dinner. Mother and Father were off to the Durham’s and Billington was down with the servants eating so we were free and clear. Molly had told our butler I needed rest and she was going to keep an eye on me with her mending, asking not to be disturbed. We could only hope they would have no reason to question her request.