The Runaway Chaperone: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Alice Kirks

  “I cannot tell you,” Alexandra said, hastily. “And I must apologize for leaving your sister.”

  “Don’t do that,” he said, frowning with distaste.

  “I did not want to spoil her ball.”

  “I know,” he said. “But I am not here to reprimand you or tell you that you neglected your duties. I am here because it concerned me. I did not like to see you so afraid.”

  Alexandra felt her lips lift in a smile. She looked away, not knowing what to say. “I…thank you, for what you did last night.”

  He smiled. They were sitting so close, and she could see the dark flecks in his eyes. Her heart started to beat steadily. She was aware of its movement within her. He took her hand and she shut her eyes a moment, wanting the moment never to end.

  He was so stunning.

  She looked up at him, and he leaned forward a little, his lips close to hers; close enough to feel their warmth.

  “Your Grace,” she began. He shook his head.

  “Alexandra, we have so many matters secret now,” he said. “I do not want them to be so secret. But first, there are things I must settle alone.”

  “I see,” Alexandra nodded. She felt her heart twist. What exactly did he mean? She felt concerned.

  “I must ask you to give me time,” he murmured.

  Alexandra inclined her head. “Of course. Time is needed.”

  She didn’t ask why he wanted her to give him time. It was the most peculiar thing, and she found herself worrying about it.

  “I will go into town this morning. I am sure you know that I will be escorting Arabella to the salon this afternoon. I’ll keep watch.”

  “You don’t need to,” Alexandra began, but he shook his head.

  “I’ll do very well,” he said. He sounded distant, and Alexandra felt distress swamp her. He was angry and mistrustful.

  She thought he had forgiven her, but he clearly hadn’t. He had simply been holding back so that she could feel better. She waited until he had gone and then she sniffed, loudly.

  “He is truly angry,” she sniffed.

  He was clearly of the opinion that she could not do as he wanted her to do.

  Was he going to dismiss her? She couldn’t fathom how his caring and his dispassion fitted together, but she knew that something was not as she wanted it to be.

  Chapter 30

  Matthew walked into the town square. He felt the need to move. Since the previous night, matters had bothered him greatly. What precisely had happened, to make Alexandra leave. And what was it, exactly, that she was hiding? He couldn’t unravel it.

  “I need to talk to the butler.”

  He would know the secrets of Alexandra’s past, if anyone could. He stopped in the square and took a deep breath, looking about. The place was bustling. People had set up stalls, and all manner of inhabitant flocked there – servants and shopkeepers, ladies and gentlemen and merchants. All of them were buying bread or ribbons, inspecting the contents of the stall selling all manner of metal items, or just standing about talking in the morning cool.

  “I meant to buy some gifts.”

  He dug in his pocket, stopping at a stall where a woman was selling lace-edged items. He bought some plain handkerchiefs. Arabella would like those – she could sew her initial on them. He paid for them and hurried back home.

  “I need to speak with you,” he said to the butler.

  “I am at your disposal, your Grace,” the butler replied.

  Matthew followed him into the anteroom and shut the door behind them.

  “Look,” he said, feeling the best approach was directness. “I need to ask you some questions about the chaperone. You selected her.”

  “Yes, your Grace, I did,” the butler nodded. “I did my best to address all the queries you set down. She is well-mannered, literate, good at sewing…”

  “Yes, I know that,” Matthew cut in. He was aware of all Alexandra’s good qualities, and far more than the man described! But he needed more.

  “Well?” the butler frowned. “Has she caused difficulties?”

  “No,” Matthew said bluntly. “But…there are too many things I don’t know about her. Look, did you keep a transcript of the interview?”

  “Your Grace, I…”

  “Did you not write anything?” Matthew asked, feeling rather nettled. How could he trust anyone, if not even the butler followed instructions?

  “Your Grace, I noted down the answers to her questions.”

  “Good!” Matthew said. “Can I have them? As quickly as you can.”

  “Very good, your Grace.”

  Matthew sat down and read the notes. They were written in a particularly fine hand. He skipped over the questions about skill and experience – he knew how good she was at what she did – and went to where he’d asked her about her background.

  “Daughter of schoolteacher. Raised in a cottage. Taught by her father to a high level of reading, writing and skill.” He shook his head. Nothing in here made sense! The schoolmaster bit, he could almost believe – a teacher really would have been able to educate his daughter so highly. The fact that he had actually done so was surprising, but not unbelievable.

  What was unbelievable was that she had enemies of the sort she would meet in the assembly.

  “What happened?”

  What incident could possibly have incited someone to threaten her in the middle of a ballroom? He still didn’t know if the person was a guest or servant. Did it matter?

  “The cause is obvious.”

  It was a man, and Matthew could imagine one clear reason why a man would be angry with her: She’d refused him.

  Why else would someone harbor such a grudge against a person who was so sweet and good?

  “So,” he paused. “How did this happen? She worked for someone, mayhap. And they tried to press their needs on her. And she refused them.”

  He went pale. If that was the case, surely she must resent him? Or fear him? She had probably run from unwanted attentions already. Why had she not run from him?

  “Matthew, you have been so standoffish.”

  “Your Grace?” the butler called outside the door. Matthew stood.

  “Is someone visiting?” he asked, opening the door. Why else would the butler disturb him?

  “Yes, your Grace. May I ask, did you find what you required?”

  “Yes,” Matthew said, feeling nettled. What he had found in the notes was nobody’s concern. He passed them back. He had found precious little, he admitted. But he had made of the information something plausible. “Who is visiting?”

  “Lord Lakeworth. He wished to invite your sister to a tea-house for tea.”

  “Oh?” Matthew grinned. She had caught that much attention already? He nodded. “Send him up. I will talk with him. Send for Arabella too?”

  “Very good, your Grace.”

  Matthew walked hastily out and up the stairs to the drawing-room. He wished Alexandra were there. He would like her opinion on the young man. He shook his head. Before he talked to Alexandra about anything, he should be talking about her to find out her past. It was more important than ever that he knew.

  “Mr. Leighford?” he said to the butler. “If you can, I want inquiries made. Discreet ones.”

  “About the chaperone? I shall.”

  “Thank you,” Matthew murmured, and walked up to the drawing-room. Arabella was already there, and he smiled at her.

  “I have some news. Lord Lakeworth is here. He wants to take you to tea.”

  “Oh, no!” Arabella said, though her face was far from displeased. “Brother! What will I say? I’ve never had anyone invite me personally to tea!” She was flushed and one hand fluttered in a nervous gesture.

  Matthew chuckled.

  “I’ll come too,” he promised. “And we can always invite him to come with us to the salon. That way, you can get away.”

  “Oh, brother,” Arabella giggled, though he could see she looked quite pleased about the topic.


  When they were seated, Lord Lakeworth was shown in. Matthew watched Arabella grin shyly. The young man was quite handsome – at least, he thought so – with pale hair, blue eyes and a long, serious face. He bowed low.

  “I’m honored,” he said.

  Matthew chuckled. The young fellow seemed shy, and he couldn’t blame him. In her yellow gown, Arabella looked quite lovely.

  “So, Lord Lakeworth. You are a baron, that is right?”

  “Yes, your Grace. My name is Lucas Rayburn.”

  “I’m glad to make your acquaintance, Lord Lakeworth. Matthew Lammore.” He shook hands. “Though of course, it is my sister who will decide our friendship.”

  “Yes. Of course, your Grace,” the young man said, sounding flustered. Matthew was deliberately trying to unsettle him.

  He made arrangements for the young man to accompany them to the salon – he seemed delighted to be included in the party, Matthew thought.

  “Thank you, your Grace,” he said. “I will see you at three of the clock, along with sweet Arabella.”

  He was glad it had all gone so smoothly – it worked out exceedingly well, to have the young man accompany them to the event.

  He sat down to read a book – or to attempt to. His mind was distracted, and he kept on worrying at the problem. Fears for Alexandra’s safety, fears for Arabella’s safety. Why had he brought them to London?

  He sighed. He had to bring them! As it happened, Arabella’s ball had been highly successful. She was already being pursued by all manner of suitors, and he felt that he had given her the best possible start in her future existence. But was Alexandra going to continue to draw danger to herself here?

  “The less she accompanies us, the better.”

  He knew it was ridiculous – after all, he’d hired a chaperone so that he didn’t have to attend all Arabella’s social appearances. But he couldn’t help thinking that it was safer if he attended instead.

  Chapter 31

  Alexandra sat in the drawing-room. She felt quite frightened. His Grace had just arrived back from the salon. It was an hour before dinner, and she had seen nobody. Arabella was changing out of her party-clothes, and his Grace had retired to his room swiftly.

  “He doesn’t trust me now.”

  She could only conclude that her behavior had pushed him too far and he could no longer trust her judgement.

  “What can I do? It wasn’t my fault.” She sniffed.

  Her only option seemed to be to leave – to go back to York and go to her aunt. But how was she going to escape? It would have been tricky enough in Blakeley. Now, it was much harder.

  London streets were dangerous. And London housed the two people she needed most to avoid.

  She had not done her job, but it had been because of terrible fear! She recalled Lord Nailsworth, vividly. She would have been utterly finished if she hadn’t escaped him. Avoiding him was her only chance, but it seemed the Duke didn’t want her to attend anything with them anymore.

  “Alexandra?” Brenna said. “My charge was asking for you.”

  “Lady Arabella? Of course, I’ll come up at once.” She nodded.

  She went to Arabella’s bedroom. The room was also decorated in white, with satiny walls – Chinese wallpaper – and a soft, silken bed. Alexandra tiptoed in and sat down. Arabella looked up at her, worried.

  “Alexandra,” she said softly. “I need to talk to you.”

  “Of course,” Alexandra nodded. “I always like to talk to you.”

  “Brother doesn’t want me to find someone straight away?” she asked. She sounded frightened. Alexandra felt her heart lighten.

  “Oh, Arabella! Of course not! You have so many seasons ahead of you. You will be the most popular lady for years, still. You can take your time to choose, you know that.”

  “But…brother doesn’t expect me to?” she murmured. She looked up with wide, scared eyes. “Only, he seemed very taken with Lord Lakeford!”

  Alexandra took her hand, feeling her heart twist with fondness. “I am sure he did. But you are uncertain?”

  “Yes, well…I don’t know,” Arabella murmured. “I only met him yesterday. And he scares me a bit.” She wrinkled her face. “I don’t know. He’s so serious!”

  Alexandra laughed.

  “Well, of course, you need time before you can decide. But trust your first impressions,” she advised. “If he seemed distasteful to you at first, I am sure there was some reason.”

  “Oh, no!” Arabella shook her head. “Not distasteful, not exactly. Just…not right!” she pressed her hands on the table, an awkward gesture. “He’s not fun, and lighthearted.”

  “And those are important qualities to you, I know,” Alexandra nodded. “Arabella, dearest…are you feeling coerced into something?”

  “I just don’t know what my brother wants!” she wailed. “He’s so keen on me attending all manner of parties, and…this whole world is so different, Alexandra! I don’t feel like I know anything about it. I know you helped me a great deal, to learn skills.”

  “Arabella…it’s good,” Alexandra said. “I know how you feel. It’s all new, and overwhelming.” She shook her head. She’d been so enmeshed in her own worries; she’d forgotten about Arabella’sadventures.

  Arabella was crying, her hands over her face. Alexandra reached out and gave her a big hug, feeling tender towards the frightened young woman. She could understand all too well how she felt. Her own problems had been rather different – her father had barely let her go into society and had chosen the viscount for her, without any hint that she could make her own decisions on any matter.

  Yet, she could see how frightened Arabella was. The level of societal interest and the need to always behave in the ‘right’ way would be pressure enough for anybody. She knew that Arabella needed friendship and care more than anything right now.

  “Shh,” she said gently, breathing in the rosy scent of her hair. “You are all right. You haven’t done anything. Your brother just wants you to have a good time. In fact, maybe he’s making you attend all these parties because he thinks you want to.”

  “Oh?” Arabella sniffed. “I hadn’t thought of that. I mean, I do want to! But…but it’s all so scary.”

  Alexandra smiled. “Anything new is scary. You are new to London society. It’s my job to help you become comfortable.” She felt her face twist in self-mockery. She had been doing a fine job, she thought sadly.

  “You do make me feel better, Alexandra,” Arabella sniffed. “I needed to tell someone. I thought nobody would understand how I felt!”

  Alexandra smiled. “Sometimes, the scariest thing is when we find ourselves suddenly in the public eye. You’ve only just become part of London society, and suddenly everyone wants to know you! Of course, it’s scary.” She chuckled.

  Arabella grinned. “When you say that, I suppose it is a bit scary. Nice, too.”