by Rose Pearson
“Lord Richmond, I knew you would come!”
A breathless voice ripped through the quiet of the hallway, only for a figure to throw itself into Jeffery’s arms, startling him completely. In the dim candlelight, he looked down to see none other than Lady Kensington gazing up at him with evident ardor smoldering in her eyes, her hands already around his neck.
“Lady Kensington,” Jeffery spluttered, trying to remove himself from her but finding that she was very determined in her attempts to remain close to him. “Whatever are you doing?”
A laugh escaped from the lady’s parted lips as Jeffery stumbled back against the wall, taking Lady Kensington with him.
“You surely cannot pretend that you are unaware of my intentions, Lord Richmond,” she said, pressing herself against him as he struggled to remove her hands from around his neck, panic beginning to rise in his chest. “And now, here you are, waiting for me!”
Jeffery shook his head, managing, finally, to unclasp the lady’s arms from his neck. Without wanting to overpower her, he pushed her back a few steps, his hands still holding her arms so that she could not force herself back against him again.
“I went to see if Lord Kensington was in his study, as you suggested,” he said, as firmly as he could. “I had no other intention!”
“I suggested no such thing!” Lady Kensington protested, a teasing note in her voice that sent a shudder down Jeffery’s spine. “But what does such a confusion matter now? You have stepped away from the other guests, and I have found myself here with you. This is an opportune moment, Lord Richmond. Can you not see that?”
Jeffery shook his head. “No, Lady Kensington,” he replied firmly, releasing her arms carefully and watching her with a keen eye, beginning to edge away from her as though she were a trap that had just been set. “I have no desire to do such a thing. You are very lovely indeed, and I cannot pretend that you are not a diamond of the first water, but—”
“Your words speak to my heart!” Lady Kensington made to throw herself at him again and, having no other course but to catch her for fear that she would then fall to the floor if he did not, Jeffery once more found himself in the same situation he had only just escaped from. Her hands were about his neck, her lips close to his as she lifted her chin, beseeching words escaping her, but no sense of ardor hurried into Jeffery’s heart. Instead, he felt repulsed by her, silently cursing his own foolishness as, once more, he fought to escape.
“Who goes there?”
A gasp escaped from Lady Kensington’s lips as Jeffery’s frame went stiff with fright. Finally managing to push her arms away from him, he cleared his throat abruptly. There was no good pretending that he had not heard the voice, that he was not aware of being seen by another. He could not recognize the voice nor make out the face of the person now standing only a short distance away, their figure nothing more than a dark shadow.
“I am just returning from the study,” he said honestly. “It is I, Lord Richmond. I had hoped to find Lord Kensington, but alas, I have been unable to do so.”
“That is because I was not in my study,” came the reply, and Jeffery’s heart sank to the floor. Lord Kensington, it seemed, was the one who had come upon them both. “Lord Millerton and I were in the library. We are returning to the soiree now.”
“Then permit me to join you,” Jeffery replied, ignoring the fact that Lady Kensington was nearby and silently praying that she would remain wherever she was until they had departed. Walking closer to Lord Kensington, he quickly noticed Lord Millerton standing close by also, his features illuminated by candlelight as he stepped forward. The man’s eyes quickly darted away from Jeffery, looking a little embarrassed as he drew near. Did they both suspect that Lady Kensington was present still? He prayed that Lord Kensington would accept his explanation and would return to the drawing-room so that nothing more would be said.
“Lord Richmond.” Lord Kensington turned to Jeffery, his eyes a little hooded as he looked up at him. “I presume my wife is here also?”
The question was shocking in itself, and, for a moment, Jeffery did not know what to say. Should he tell the gentleman the truth? That he had been caught unawares by Lady Kensington and that he had been attempting to remove himself from her? Or should he instead pretend that he knew nothing of what Lord Kensington spoke, ignoring the guilt that slammed into his heart at the thought?
“If she is, Lord Kensington, I am unaware of it,” he lied, spreading his hands. “I swear to you that my only intention was to return to the drawing-room, having come from your study.”
“I was not in my study.”
“I am aware of that,” Jeffery replied a little desperately. “But I was informed that the room you were in was the study, and thus, in order to both satisfy my own need to greet you, as well as assisting Lady Kensington with her desire to have you present, I thought to make my way there at once.”
Lord Kensington studied Jeffery for some moments, leaving him feeling most uncomfortable. His heart began to quicken as Lord Kensington shook his head and sighed, fearful now that his lie and his truths would be for naught. What the gentleman would believe, Jeffery could not say, but whatever came of it, Jeffery knew his reputation was at stake.
“It is true, husband.”
He closed his eyes tightly, swaying just a little as the voice of Lady Kensington reached his ears. He had been so very close to achieving what he required, of making certain that the truth was kept from Lord Kensington, and now she had ruined it all.
“Lady Kensington,” Lord Kensington said heavily, tearing his eyes away from Jeffery and looking back out towards the dark hallway. “I did expect you to be here, I confess.”
“But it is not for the reasons you think,” Lady Kensington replied, clearly able to lie just as easily as Jeffery had done. “I was gone in search of the retiring room and simply happened upon Lord Richmond in passing.”
Lord Kensington lifted his candle a little higher so that he might look into his wife’s beautiful face a little more, and Jeffery was astonished at the open, vulnerable expression that was there now. The lady was lying openly to her husband and yet appeared to be greatly sorrowful, almost overcome with emotion.
“It is not as you suspect, Lord Kensington,” she said eagerly as Jeffery shook his head to himself, running one hand over his forehead. “Please, you must not be so suspicious. It was nothing more than an accidental meeting.”
Lord Kensington glanced at Jeffery and then looked back to his wife. Jeffery felt as though he were walking along a knife’s edge, waiting for judgment to fall upon him. Aware that Lord Millerton was watching this interaction and that, no doubt, the rumors about him would soon spread through all of society, Jeffery closed his eyes and prayed that it would not ruin his reputation. He could not have such a thing occur, not when the Season itself had only just begun!
“My dear little wife,” he heard Lord Kensington say, his voice soft with a tenderness Jeffery had not expected. “The wife I believed cared for me in the same way that I cared for her. The wife who has chosen to throw her affections towards any gentleman she chooses. The wife who has become the person I now begin to despise.” He shook his head and looked back at Jeffery. “I do not know what to believe, Lord Richmond,” he continued, speaking slowly so that every word had the impression of being carefully chosen. “My wife is inclined towards such things and has lied to me so many times before. But you, however, are an upstanding gentleman who, I expect, would be more inclined towards speaking the truth than falsehoods.” Pressing his lips together, he considered things a little longer with sweat breaking out on Jeffery’s brow. He wanted to speak up, wanted to defend himself a little more but could find nothing to say. Lord Kensington was clearly uncertain as to what to do or what to believe, and Jeffery, for the moment, could only wait.
“I think, Lord Richmond, that I must ask you to leave my house.”
Jeffery’s mouth fell open. “But I—I have not done—”
“Whether
or not you have done anything, I cannot have a gentleman who was alone with my wife for a time continue to linger under my roof.” Lord Kensington’s voice was hard, his obvious upset now beginning to show. “I will ask you to depart at once, Lord Richmond.”
“My dear husband!” Lady Kensington’s voice was quietly pleading, her voice soft and her eyes turned towards her husband’s. “Lord Richmond has done nothing to deserve your wrath.”
“You would both have me believe that, but I, for one, am not at all certain,” came the harsh reply. “You have lied to me too many times, Cordelia. Lord Richmond may have a good character, but that does not mean he will not fall where other gentlemen have fallen also.” Clearing his throat, he turned his attention back to Jeffery. “If you please, Lord Richmond. I will have your carriage brought immediately. Good evening to you.”
Jeffery could find nothing to say. He wanted to protest, wanted to beg Lord Kensington to reconsider for fear that his reputation would be affected by what had occurred this night. But Lord Kensington was already walking away, his wife trailing alongside him and Lord Millerton walking only a few steps behind.
Closing his eyes, Jeffery dragged in a shaky breath, cursing himself and his foolishness. He ought never to have given in to his own compassionate nature. Had he not done so, he would now be sitting with the other guests, listening to some music and singing without a care in all of the world. Now, he found himself thrown from Lord Kensington’s house, asked to depart when he had done nothing worthy of such disgrace—but disgrace it was, and it would linger around his neck for some time to come. No doubt Lord Millerton would tell all and sundry of what he had heard, of what he had seen—if not adding a few extra details that would make things all the worse. Jeffery would barely be able to lift his head, such would be his shame!
But there was nothing to be done. The decision had been made. Jeffery now had nothing further to do but to depart from the house knowing that, by the time he awoke in the morning, everything would be very different indeed.
Chapter Four
Rebecca looked at herself doubtfully in the full-length mirror, whilst Lady Hayward watched closely, admiring the new gown and considering it from every angle.
“What do you think, Lady Rebecca?” the seamstress asked, clearly a little anxious. “Does it fit well?”
“Very well,” Rebecca admitted, considering it carefully. “It is only the color that I am a little unsure of.”
Lady Hayward smiled but said nothing, leaving Rebecca to continue to look at herself in the lovely gown. It was a very gentle green, which was an unusual color for those who were stepping out in London for the first time. Most young ladies would be in gowns of cream or yellow, but Lady Hayward had stated that yellow, certainly, would do nothing for Rebecca’s complexion and would have the effect of making her look a little sickly. Cream, of course, was very acceptable indeed, but the concern was that every other young lady in London would be wearing such colors, and Lady Hayward was eager for Rebecca to stand out.
“I think it is very lovely on you,” Lady Anna remarked from where she and Selina sat. “It may be a little different in color from the other gowns we see, but that does not mean that it is at all not pretty or unsuitable.”
“No, indeed. I think it suits you very well,” Lady Selina added quietly. “But you must have the confidence to believe it, I think.”
A little irritated that her younger sisters knew her as well as that, Rebecca let out a heavy sigh and then turned around again, trying to look at the gown from every angle. “Lady Hayward?” she asked, feeling a little hopeless. “What say you?”
Lady Hayward smiled, tilting her head just a fraction. “I think it is as your sister says, Lady Rebecca. It is a very well-suited gown. It fits you perfectly, and it is only the color that might be a little unusual. But if you have the confidence to wear it into society, I can promise that everyone will think you very lovely indeed.”
“And that is what we seek, is it not?” Lady Anna chirped, her bright expression one of eagerness and anticipation. “We seek to make an impression upon any particular gentlemen that have caught our notice, and I am certain, Rebecca, that this gown will do that very well indeed.”
Despite her misgivings and her lack of confidence, Rebecca forced herself to nod. “Yes, I think you are right,” she murmured, stepping back a little more and turning her eyes away from the mirror. “Thank you, Madame Bernadotte. I shall be very happy with this dress.”
The lady looked relieved. “I am very glad to hear it, Lady Rebecca,” she answered with a small, quick curtsy. “If you would like to change, then I will have this gown finished by the morrow.”
“I thank you,” Rebecca replied as she stepped back towards the small room where she might change back into her walking dress. “I will be but a few minutes.”
Upon returning, Rebecca found Lady Hayward and Selina deep in discussion over a pair of very fine evening gloves, whilst Anna was looking at some new ribbons that had all been laid out. Forcing a smile to her face and praying that she would not be asked about her true feelings on the gown—feelings of uncertainty and doubt rather than confidence—Rebecca came to join Lady Hayward and her sister.
“Then we are satisfied here for a time?” Lady Hayward said brightly as Rebecca nodded. “What shall we do next, then? There is a wonderful bookshop nearby, and I would be glad to show you all where it is. Or we might take tea somewhere?” She lifted one shoulder. “Or if you are fatigued, then we could have the carriage take you home.”
“No, indeed not!” Lady Anna cried, suddenly appearing from behind Rebecca. “I am not at all fatigued. The bookshop and then perhaps somewhere to take tea?” She looked at Rebecca, who merely nodded, not particularly concerned with what they did or where they went.
“The bookshop, then,” Lady Hayward smiled. “Come now, it is just this way.”
Rebecca fell into step just behind Lady Hayward, making certain to thank the seamstress as she left. Madame Bernadotte seemed very pleased indeed with what had occurred, and that, at least, made Rebecca smile. The seamstress had done a wonderful job, certainly, for the gowns that had been made for her sisters and now also for her, were of the highest quality and could not be faulted in any way.
If only it were not green!
“So, Lady Rebecca,” Lady Hayward began as they stepped outside. “You have been in London society for over a sennight now. In fact, almost a fortnight, I believe!” Her eyes twinkled as Rebecca’s two sisters linked arms and walked ahead together, leaving Rebecca and Lady Hayward to speak quietly.
“It has been almost a fortnight since we met, yes,” Rebecca agreed. “It does not seem as though all that time has passed, however!”
“And yet, it has done so,” Lady Hayward replied, her expression one of interest. “You have had time to become acquainted with some gentlemen, to dance with them, converse with them, and the like. Tell me,” she continued, “is there any gentleman with whom you are taken?”
Heat climbed into Rebecca’s face, and she shook her head.
“None?” Lady Hayward remarked, sounding a little astonished. “My goodness, then I fear I have failed in my duties thus far! I was certain I had introduced you to the most eligible of gentlemen!”
“Pray, do not think so!” Rebecca exclaimed, not wanting to injure Lady Hayward’s feelings in any way. “They have all been very gentlemanly indeed, with some being so good as to call upon me the following afternoon, as you well know, but Lord Arbuckle, for example, talks incessantly of his good fortune at the card table and Lord Winchester speaks very little at all!” She shook her head, a little frustrated with both herself and the gentlemen who had come to greet her. “I find them all a little lacking, Lady Hayward,” she finished, now all the more embarrassed that she felt such a way. “I do not mean to undermine your judgment nor your choices in considering these gentlemen, but I must admit to—”
“You speak the truth, and that is all that concerns me at present,” Lady H
ayward replied with evident determination and not a flicker of upset in her gaze. “I would much prefer the truth from you than a pretense, Lady Rebecca. Surely you must know that by now!”
Rebecca smiled and looked back at the lady. Over the last ten days, she had come to think very highly of Lady Hayward. She was very fair in her judgments, open in her thoughts, and always careful to listen whenever Rebecca had something to say. She had encouraged Rebecca gently, had not pushed her when she felt uncomfortable, and had done all she could to allow Rebecca the freedom to make her own decisions about the gentlemen she had been introduced to. Lady Hayward had not forced her to accept a dance from any gentleman at all, had not eagerly pressed her towards a gentleman she considered to be very suitable indeed. Rather, she had spoken plainly about each one and allowed Rebecca to choose for herself.
“I hope you do not think me foolish in finding such faults, Lady Hayward,” Rebecca said suddenly, fear lurching in her heart. “I know that they are all very eligible indeed and certainly would do very well for me, but there is always something about each one that troubles me.”
Lady Hayward laughed and looped her arm through Rebecca’s. “No, indeed not, Lady Rebecca!” she exclaimed, a sigh of relief escaping from Rebecca’s lips. “I should not think poorly of you for exercising such caution! I have been the one to encourage it within you, have I not?” She smiled and shook her head. “Indeed, I would prefer you to continue to exercise such judgment, Lady Rebecca, for to make a choice in haste is never wise.” Her expression softened, her gaze a little distant. “It took me some months before I would even accept the attentions of my late husband when we were first introduced. He tried for the entirety of the Season to capture my interest, but I was not sure of him.”
“Oh?” Rebecca murmured, suddenly intrigued by all that Lady Hayward had to say. “But he convinced you in the end?”