Ladies and Their Secrets: Regency Romance Collection

by Alec, Joyce

  Her eyes met his, and Thomas felt his heart ache with a desperate sense of joy and overwhelming affection, realizing that this young lady had become such an intricate part of his world that he did not want to be without her. She had endured so much and yet had kept her kind spirit, her generous nature, and her ever-ready smile. She had not become hard and cold, or perpetually angry with everyone, just as her brother Henry had done. She had courage and strength, her determination to find justice for Francis’s good name more than admirable. Why had he not seen it before? To let her go to another would possibly be the most foolish thing he had ever done in his life. He could not allow Lord Borden to have her hand in marriage, not after what he had overheard and certainly not when he knew that Lord Borden did not have even a modicum of affection for Miss Newton. To be married to Lord Borden would be no life at all.

  Yes, Thomas determined, as they continued to walk through the park, he would find a way to say such things, if not more, before the week was out.

  “Why are you out here?”

  Thomas stopped abruptly, just as Miss Newton stumbled.

  “You should be at home, ensuring your brother’s safety, Miss Newton.”

  Thomas turned around, just as Miss Newton did the same. They found themselves, yet again, looking into the eyes of the bearded gentleman, but Thomas noted that this time, his eyes were angry as he glared at them both. In fact, Thomas considered, there might also be a touch of fear in his expression, as though he were truly afraid for Lord Hollard.

  “You are not to speak to Miss Newton in such a way,” Thomas said firmly, not allowing this fellow, despite his urgency, to be rude. “She has done more than enough, good sir. Lord Hollard is more than safe. He has remained at home and will not be leaving the townhouse until two days’ time. There is nothing to concern yourself with and certainly no need to chide Miss Newton.” He looked steadily at the fellow, feeling that same swirl of unsettling awareness. It was as though he knew the man already, but without being able to truly identify who he was.

  “Did I not tell you that there was a danger that neither of you was aware of, that you would not expect?” The man’s voice was a loud whisper, evidently wanting to keep their conversation from the listening ears of the other passersby. “I have been seeking the truth as best I can; I have been looking into all such matters, praying that it is not as it seems, and yet I can hide from it no longer. It must be him. I do not want to believe it, but he must be the man responsible.”

  Miss Newton let go of Thomas’s arm, took a step forward and looked steadily into the man’s eyes. “I do not understand what you are saying, sir. Nor do I know who you are or why you have taken such interest in my family matters.”

  The man shook his head, his mouth stretching into a thin line, his eyes dark with suppressed emotion. Thomas wondered what the fellow would look like should he shave his rather remarkable beard, for it covered most of his face and was becoming almost ridiculous in its length. He was quite certain that the man revealed underneath would look quite different from what Thomas expected.

  And then, it hit him.

  His stomach twisted, his eyes widened, and he stared in horror at the man, his breathing quickening frantically. “No,” he whispered. “No, it cannot be.”

  Miss Newton turned towards him, looking more than confused. “What is wrong, Lord Sharpe?”

  “I saw you,” Thomas whispered, not looking at Miss Newton but rather at the stranger in front of him, seeing how his eyes began to dart this way and that. “I saw you die.”

  Miss Newton gasped, turning towards the fellow with one hand pressed against her heart.

  “You always did have a sharp eye,” the man muttered, although no hint of happiness appeared in his expression. “Although I am relieved that it has taken you as long as it did.”

  Miss Newton swayed violently, and Thomas made to catch her elbow but saw that she was not swooning but rather filled with a weakness that required his support and strength. Her eyes were open and fixed on the man, her fingers digging into Thomas’s sleeve as she held onto him.

  “We should sit,” Thomas said, spying a bench to their left. “At least, Miss Newton should.”

  “But of course,” the man replied gently, offering Miss Newton a small smile. “I know you will have many questions, but we must consider returning home very soon. Baron Hollard may well be in danger, and you will understand why once I have explained all to you.”

  Miss Newton sat down quickly, her face almost grey with shock, but her eyes were as intense as Thomas had ever seen them.

  “You died, Francis,” she said, as the bearded gentleman sat down beside her. “I did not see it myself, but Lord Sharpe here said that he did. He said you took something.”

  Francis nodded slowly, not refuting that fact. “It was not poison, my dear sister. It was water.” He smiled gently at Miss Newton, who now appeared to be on the verge of tears. “I am sorry for what I have had to put you through, but I knew that someone was doing their best to destroy me, and I had to have the opportunity to discover who that particular person was.” He took Miss Newton’s hand, whilst Thomas watched in stunned silence, recalling how Francis had collapsed right in front of him in the dock over a year ago.

  “But you died,” Thomas insisted quietly. “I saw you…the magistrate…”

  “The magistrate was a friend of my father’s,” Francis explained quickly. “He was able to aid me in my plan. He knew full well that I would be convicted based on the evidence alone but found himself questioning the evidence.” A light flickered in his eyes. “It was he, who came to speak to me about it all; it was he who thought that I ought to have the opportunity to discover who it was that was trying to destroy me.”

  Thomas nodded slowly, seeing how Miss Newton clung to her brother’s arm. “And that was why the magistrate allowed you to speak so freely? That was why he was the one to reach your body and declare you to be dead?”

  “Indeed,” Francis replied gravely. “I owe that man a debt of thanks, for which I shall always be grateful.”

  There was a moment or two of silence, as Thomas let the truth of Francis’s supposed death settle into his mind. His friend was not dead and buried as he had believed. He was alive and had been working hard to prove his innocence.

  “But where have you been for this last year?” Miss Newton asked, taking in a shuddering breath as the tears continued to sparkle in her eyes. “Why could you not tell me that you were alive? Why did you not write?” Her fingers tightened on her brother’s sleeve, her gaze intense as she looked into Francis’s face.

  “Because, my dear sister, I did not know who I could trust,” he said gently. “I hoped that Lord Sharpe would begin to consider that I might be innocent of all such crimes, and I prayed that you would join him in your considerations, but I had to wait for a year until you returned to London.”

  Thomas started violently, suddenly realizing something. “When you were in the dock, you asked me to care for your sister during her next Season, and you also proclaimed your innocence,” he said softly. “And you hoped that, during that year, I would begin to question what had occurred at your trial.”

  Francis nodded. “But I knew that you would not take things further because what would be the point of that?” He shrugged, patting Miss Newton’s hand. “I was dead as far as you were concerned, so there was no need to pursue the matter. But to put that note in your pocket would be an entirely different matter.” His lips thinned, his eyes narrowing, although he did not direct his gaze towards Thomas. “By then, I had already begun to have my suspicions.”

  Miss Newton let out a deep sigh, closing her eyes tightly. “What suspicions, Francis?”

  Francis did not reply immediately, although Thomas could not tell what was going through Francis’s mind given just how much of his face was covered. “I think, Julianna, that we need to return to the townhouse.”

  Miss Newton’s eyes opened, and she stared in astonishment at her brother. “You w
ant to come back to the townhouse? To tell Henry and Hollard that you are alive?”

  Francis shook his head slowly, and for the first time, Thomas began to realize what was troubling Francis. He held his breath, seeing the warning look in Francis’s eyes.

  “No, Julianna,” he said slowly. “I know that Jonathan would welcome me back with open arms; he would be relieved and understanding, but I cannot say the same for Henry. He might go to the Bow Street Runners and demand that I am carted back to jail!”

  Thomas saw Miss Newton sigh and nod her head, her understanding and agreement evident.

  “Therefore, I think I should try to be as unobtrusive as possible,” Francis continued quickly. “I shall be within the house but remain entirely unseen until the time comes.”

  Miss Newton looked confused. “Until the time comes?” she repeated, shuffling in her seat a little so that she could look at her brother fully in the face. “What do you mean by that remark?”

  Thomas cleared his throat, grabbing Miss Newton’s attention. “I think, Miss Newton, that all will become clear during our dinner this evening,” he said slowly, seeing Francis nod. He was on the right path then, which was both a relief and a horrible truth in equal measure. Little wonder that Francis wanted to protect his sister from any further pain until it was entirely unavoidable.

  “Please, no more secrets,” Miss Newton begged, looking from her brother to Thomas and back again. “I have spent the last year believing you were dead and gone, Francis. I have tried to quiet my mind over the question of your innocence, over the terrible truth that you took your own life instead of facing justice. I have wept over your grave. I have torn my heart to pieces about your burial being outside of the churchyard; and now you have come back from the grave and still refuse to tell me the truth of it all! Why? Why must you continue to protect me so? I am stronger than you know.”

  Thomas nodded slowly, his expression grave. That was true, he had to admit. Miss Newton was strong. She did have that fire and determination within her, but this truth would be painful for all of them to bear, but especially for the family.

  “He is merely trying to protect you, Miss Newton,” Thomas said gently, hunkering down in front of her and ignoring the surprised looks from the other gentlemen and ladies that walked past her. “This has been a terrible shock – for us both, I will admit, and given that there is more to come, it is only right that we try to recover ourselves a little.” He saw her smile and felt his heart swell with both relief and love. “It is not because your character does not have a strength of its own, Miss Newton, but rather that this may dampen even the strongest fire.”

  Miss Newton sighed heavily and, pulling out her lace handkerchief, dabbed at her eyes until there was no more moisture there.

  “Very well,” she said, her voice a little tremulous. “I should trust you, I think.” She managed to smile at her brother before returning her gaze to Thomas. “And I do. I trust you both.”

  “Very good,” Francis replied, sounding relieved. “Then have no fear; I shall be present at dinner tonight and will reveal myself in due course.”

  Miss Newton frowned, turning her head towards her brother. “But how will you enter the house without being seen?”

  Her brother laughed and patted her hand. “I have had to improve certain skills over my year of living alone,” he said with a small smile. “And whilst breaking into homes is not at all something I enjoy doing, I have become quite capable at doing so without being seen. I shall be there, Julianna. You need not worry.”

  “What is the meaning of this?”

  Thomas jerked in surprise, getting to his feet to see none other than Lord Borden bearing down upon both himself and Miss Newton.

  “A public proposal?” Lord Borden roared, his face almost purple with anger. “I asked you, Lord Sharpe, if there was any intention of you pursuing Miss Newton, and you assured me there was not! And now I see this!” He gestured violently towards Miss Newton, who looked up at Lord Borden in astonishment, evidently a little too surprised to rise to her feet. Mayhap the shock of seeing her brother again had not quite left her.

  “Lord Borden,” Thomas began, trying to placate the man. “You need not think that—”

  “You know that I have had every intention to propose to her!” Lord Borden interrupted, capturing the attention of others within the park. “And now I see that you are doing so yourself.” He jabbed one finger into Thomas’s chest, sending a ripple of anger all through him. “And I have been wondering why Miss Newton has been less than inclined to my visits and has outright refused to come for either a walk or a ride with me these last few days. Now, I see the explanation for such behavior for myself.”

  Thomas threw a desperate glance towards Miss Newton, surprised to see that Francis was no longer sitting by her side. Evidently, he had decided to leave them both to this particular matter, not wanting to draw attention to himself in any way. Thomas cleared his throat, aware that there were more than a few people watching him.

  “You are mistaken, Lord Borden,” he said quietly. “I was not proposing to Miss Newton. I was merely reassuring her.”

  Lord Borden narrowed his eyes, his jaw jutting forward. “Is that so?”

  Miss Newton’s voice floated towards them both, calm and quiet. “That is quite so, Lord Borden.”

  Thomas smiled in her direction, suddenly feeling a deep sense of purpose rising up with him. They had agreed, only a few minutes before, to talk about such matters later, when everything regarding Francis was brought to a satisfactory conclusion, but now he felt as though the opportunity to do so was upon him, even in front of Lord Borden and the others watching him.

  “However,” he said loudly, just as Lord Borden began to speak. “You have made an excellent point, Lord Borden. Yes, I know that you have intentions towards Miss Newton, but I fail to see that any of your intentions are in any way respectable. You care nothing for the lady herself but more for her dowry. You do not consider her feelings on the matter but rather consider only yourself and your own standing within society. I cannot allow this, Lord Borden. I should not have remained silent on such a matter.” He turned towards Miss Newton, seeing the light in her eyes. “Miss Newton, I was wrong to hide the truth about Lord Borden’s intentions from you. At the time, I was uncertain of what I felt, worrying that it came from a sense of responsibility rather than true affection, but I know now that I am more than mistaken about that.”

  “That is very good of you to say, Lord Sharpe,” Miss Newton murmured, her eyes alight. “I did wonder if you would ever tell me the truth about what had passed between the two of you.” He closed his eyes for a moment, seeing that she knew full well what Lord Borden had said and wondered just how long she had been aware of it. Had she heard them both speak? Or had Lord Borden said as much to her?

  “You ridiculous oaf!” Lord Borden exclaimed, as Thomas let out a frustrated breath. “Why did you have to say such a thing? I had every opportunity to—”

  “No, Lord Borden, you did not.” Miss Newton’s voice was steady, as she rose to her feet, coming towards them both. “Yes, Lord Sharpe, I overheard you and Lord Borden talking, and I’m afraid that I did listen very carefully to what was being said.” A sad smile touched the corner of her mouth. “I knew then that I had no other choice than to allow Lord Borden to pursue me, regardless of my own feelings on the matter. I did not want to pressure you, Lord Sharpe, for whilst I was aware of my own feelings, I did not believe that you had anything similar in your own heart. Any declarations had to come from you, without any additional burdens.”

  “I was wrong,” he said softly, reaching for her hand. “I feared that my sense of responsibility was the only thing that was adding such affections to my heart. But I can see now that I was mistaken. I care for you very deeply, Miss Newton, and even when this matter is at a close, I do not want to lose your presence from my life. I could not bear it if you were to marry another.”

  Miss Newton’s expression seemed
to glow with happiness, only for Lord Borden to begin to bluster.

  “But this is most improper!” he exclaimed, jabbing yet another finger into Thomas’s chest. “You have not been courting the lady, as I have done. You have not pursued her with the strength and the determination that I have shown. No, Lord Sharpe, you have done nothing of the sort. It is, therefore, by rights, my opportunity to do so first.”

  Thomas looked back at the gentleman steadily, knowing that he had behaved in a less than gentlemanly fashion, but also being fully aware that Lord Borden himself had not exactly had the most honorable intentions for Miss Newton. “I may not have courted her in name,” he said slowly. “But the time I have spent with Miss Newton has been more wonderful than any other time in my life.” He turned back to where Miss Newton stood, seeing that her eyes were fixed on his face without so much as a glance in Lord Borden’s direction. “Miss Newton, I have done you wrong in refusing to admit what my own heart knew all too well. I was foolish to hide the truth about Lord Borden’s intentions from you. Might you forgive me?”

  She laughed softly, her cheeks turning a gentle pink. “Oh, Lord Sharpe, there is nothing to forgive. I understand why you did not speak to me so, and yet despite that, you have proven yourself to be a wonderful gentleman, who has been more than attentive towards me. You have protected me, listened to me and, above all, become a dear, dear friend. I cannot imagine being by any other gentleman’s side.”

  Lord Borden immediately began to bluster, his expression angry and his eyes narrowed.

  “My dear Miss Newton, just consider for a moment what it is I am offering you!” he exclaimed, stepping directly in front of Thomas. “My estate is a good deal grander than Lord Sharpe’s, and whilst I may not be the wealthiest of gentlemen at this present moment, I can promise you that, with your dowry, we will see our fortunes restored.”