by Rose Pearson
“I am to find a gentleman named Lord Bellingham. I am to give him specific instructions. Thereafter, I am to hand him a locket of some description and then inform Lady Kensington that it has been done.”
Lord Swinton’s brows rose. “You are to speak to Lady Kensington directly?” he repeated as Jeffery nodded slowly, rubbing one hand over his face in frustration. “And quite how are you to do so without everyone in the ton being aware of it?”
“I do not know,” Jeffery replied heavily. “But she was most insistent.”
“Because it will look to the beau monde as though you have approached her rather than the truth,” Lord Swinton murmured, shaking his head. “She is a manipulative creature, I think.”
There were harsher words in Jeffery’s head than that, but he did not allow them to be spoken. Instead, he let out a long breath and dropped his hand back to his side. “There is no other choice but to do as she asks,” he said heavily. “I have no knowledge of this ‘Lord Bellingham,’ but evidently, he is here this evening.”
“I believe I know him,” Lord Swinton said slowly. “He is not at all enamored with society, however, and is, in fact, very quiet and dull by all accounts. I am surprised that Lady Kensington has sought him out, given that she usually chases gentlemen who, at the very least, have an interesting character!”
“Ours is not to reason why,” Jeffery quipped before turning to face the crowd a little more. His stomach twisted as he remembered what Lady Kensington had said. “It appears that Lady Kensington has introduced herself to Lady Rebecca,” he told his friend, seeing the widening of Lord Swinton’s eyes and nodding gravely. “I do not know what I am to do, but I certainly do not like the thought of such an acquaintance.”
“Speaking of the lady…” Lord Swinton gestured just a little ahead of them, where Jeffery spotted Lady Rebecca dancing with another gentleman, her steps sure and certain. She was, he considered, the most elegant of dancers, a gentle smile on her face as she continued through the dance. A sigh slipped from his mouth as he realized it was a pleasure he would not be able to enjoy for some time, given that his reputation was still very much being questioned.
“You think very well of her.”
“I do,” Jeffery replied without hesitation. “There is no shame in that, I think. She is quite extraordinary, given that she has shown so much judgment and refuses to be pulled into the gossip of the ton. She does not believe what is said without question, refuses to accept something as truth when it might well not be so.” Glancing at Lord Swinton, he gave a small, wry smile. “I cannot help but think well of her. I cannot help but want to improve my acquaintance with her, even though I believe it would be best for her to remain far from me.”
Lord Swinton chuckled. “I doubt you would be able to do so, even if you wished to,” he replied as the dance came to a close. “Lady Rebecca has a firmness of mind and a sureness of spirit that I believe even you would not be able to stand against.”
Jeffery made to say more, only for Lady Rebecca’s eyes to alight on his, her lips instantly curving into a smile as she curtsied towards her partner, thanking him for the dance. Feeling the quickened beat of his heart, the awareness of his desire to draw close to her, Jeffery dropped his head and looked away, not wanting anyone in the ballroom to notice their connection.
“Might I ask,” Lord Swinton said slowly, clearly aware of all that Jeffery felt at present. “If you were not in such difficulties, would you consider courting Lady Rebecca?”
The answer came to Jeffery’s lips in an instant and without a modicum of hesitation. “Of course, I would do so,” he said. “I think her the most extraordinary lady. She is beautiful, wise in her considerations, intelligent in her speech, and, as you have said, quite determined.” Yet, even as he spoke, sorrow thrust through his heart, and he sighed heavily. “But it cannot be so, as you know.”
“Do not give up hope,” Lord Swinton replied calmly. “It may yet come to pass.”
“How could it ever occur?” Jeffery retorted, shaking his head. “Lord Kensington and Lady Kensington remain in society, yes, but Lady Kensington is now considered poorly in the eyes of the ton. I am caught up in that scandal, even though I have done nothing wrong. The duke would never consider me, given my reputation. It is quite impossible.”
Lord Swinton considered for a moment. “But if Lord Kensington were to admit that he knew full well you had not behaved improperly, then—”
“He will not do so,” Jeffery answered with a shake of his head. “It is an impossibility, Swinton, and I will not entertain it. Not when such hopes are quite foolish indeed.”
There was no opportunity to say more, however, for in the next moment, the very person they had been discussing was before them, with Lady Hayward, Lady Anna, and Lady Selina joining them. Lady Selina and Lady Anna immediately began to discuss something with Lord Swinton, something they had spoken of during the afternoon call, whilst Jeffery was left with Lady Rebecca and Lady Hayward’s company.
“Good evening,” he murmured, finding himself quite unable to remove his gaze from Lady Rebecca. She was all the more beautiful this evening, her red curls burning bronze in the candlelight. Her cheeks were a little pink from the exertion of dancing, her eyes warm and her smile seeming to soothe his own pains without her even being aware of it.
“We had a most unpleasant encounter, Lord Richmond.” Lady Hayward’s sharp voice took away some of Jeffery’s pleasure in seeing Lady Rebecca again, and he was forced to return his gaze to Lady Hayward, his smile dropping from his face as he took in the dismay on hers.
“Indeed,” he remarked as Lady Rebecca dropped her head. “Might I ask with whom?”
“With Lady Kensington,” came the reply. She studied him for some moments, leaving Jeffery wondering if Lady Hayward was about to criticize him in some way, to ask him if he knew anything about this particular encounter, only for Lady Hayward to sigh heavily and drop her gaze for a moment.
“I was wrong to judge you so harshly the first time we met,” she said, eventually lifting her gaze to his and giving him a small smile. “Lady Kensington is much worse in her character than I had ever expected, and, for my lack of judgment in this matter, I apologize.” She bobbed a quick curtsy before lifting her chin again to look up at him steadily. “I was persuaded by the whispers of gossip I overheard. But it seems that Lady Rebecca’s judgment in this was quite correct.”
“Please.” Jeffery held out one hand, a small smile on his face. “There is no need to explain, Lady Hayward. You were doing your best for your charge, and I could never hold that against you.”
Lady Hayward smiled back at him, a look of relief on her face. “You are most generous, Lord Richmond,” she said before turning to join the other conversation with Lord Swinton.
Jeffery turned his gaze towards Lady Rebecca, finding that the tight band that had formed across his chest when Lady Hayward had first spoken immediately beginning to loosen.
“How are you this evening, Lord Richmond?” Lady Rebecca asked, her expression gentle. “It seems that we are not to have the pleasure of dancing after all.” She held up her dance card and gave him a rueful smile. “It seems that Lady Hayward’s intention to introduce me to as many gentlemen of the ton as possible has succeeded.”
He tried to laugh, but the sound stuck in his throat, for something within him began to worry that she might then discover another gentleman to take interest in. Why was it that he felt such a thing when he had only just told Lord Swinton that he would not be able to encourage anything further between himself and Lady Rebecca? He knew he could not do so. In fact, he was foolish just to think of it—but the thought would not leave him.
“Perhaps another opportunity will present itself,” he found himself saying as Lady Rebecca’s smile grew. “I should very much like it if there was to be such an opportunity, Lady Rebecca.”
“As would I, Lord Richmond,” she replied, a little breathlessly. “I am very glad that you have been happy to wel
come me into your company, albeit for a short time.” Her eyes searched his as her smile remained. “I do hope you are encouraged by it.”
“Your company is always encouraging, Lady Rebecca,” he said honestly. “It is a brightness pushing aside the dark clouds. It is a beautiful song that chases away my melancholy. All in all, Lady Rebecca, your company and your willingness to seek my company for yourself has been a great encouragement to me, and one that I do not think I could do without.”
He had said a great deal, he realized, seeing the gentle pink that rushed to her cheeks as she held his gaze. He had spoken openly, had told her of his heart, and had found a way to express all that he felt without hesitation. And yet it had been words of great meaning, that told her she was of such importance to him that he did not know how he would be able to continue on within society without her.
Jeffery swallowed hard. Perhaps he had said too much.
“Do you truly feel such a way, Lord Richmond?”
He could not deny it now. He could not take back what he had said and pretend it was not so. She was asking him to speak the truth, to confirm to her what he had said, and the opportunity was now before him to do precisely that. What the consequences would be of such truths, he did not know, and part of him did not want to take the risk of speaking when he could not be sure of what would happen next.
But his heart yearned to do so. The desire to tell her all that he felt at present was within him, burning up slowly until he felt as though he had no other choice.
“Lady Rebecca,” he said quietly, praying that Lady Hayward would not overhear him. “I have struggled with wanting your company and seeking to protect you. You have fought against the latter, although I cannot yet entirely understand your reasons for doing so.” He saw her lips quirk, and a smile caught his own. “I have found myself so enamored that even to think of you has brought a hope to my heart that lifts it from the pain and confusion and doubt that continue to surround me.” Spreading his hands, he closed his eyes momentarily. “I wish I could rid myself of this poor reputation, Lady Rebecca. Perhaps then I might have been able to follow the wishes of my heart.”
For a few moments, Lady Rebecca said nothing. Her gaze was gentle, her expression warm, and, much to his astonishment, she held out her hand to him in the boldest manner.
Jeffery hesitated for a moment, then took it in his, bowing over it as any gentleman might. The urge to brush his lips against her gloved hand was intense, but he did not permit himself to do so, knowing that Lady Hayward would be all too aware of his action.
When he lowered her hand, however, Lady Rebecca did not release his grip. Instead, she held his hand tightly for a few moments, saying nothing but with such a look in her eyes that Jeffery felt his breath catch in his chest.
“Permit me to speak to my father, Lord Richmond,” she said eventually, her words so faint that he struggled to hear them. “Allow me to discover whether or not he would permit your court.”
Jeffery shook his head and immediately saw the disappointment flare in her eyes. “It would do no good, Lady Rebecca,” he said gently. “Your father is a duke. I am a disgraced Marquess.”
“But perhaps I can convince him of—”
“Unless there is a way I can prove my innocence, then there is nothing that can be done,” he told her kindly. “If you choose to speak to the duke, then I cannot prevent you, but I fear then that he would only force you away from my company entirely. And that, Lady Rebecca, would bring me a great deal of pain.”
Lady Rebecca sighed and let go of his hand. “Then mayhap we can find a way to prove you are not guilty of what is spoken about you,” she said as Lady Hayward turned back to them, making it clear by her presence that their time for conversation was at an end. “I will not give up, Lord Richmond.”
This made him smile and, whilst he regretted that she had to depart from his company, he felt so blessed by the company he had enjoyed that his heart was filled with a contentment that buoyed his spirits.
“I did not think you would, Lady Rebecca,” he replied, inclining his head and catching her bright smile before she was led away by Lady Hayward, her sisters following in her wake. A sigh of pleasure left him as he watched her depart, realizing he had forgotten all about Lady Kensington and her demands.
“It appears you had an excellent conversation with Lady Rebecca, Richmond.”
Jeffery looked at his friend. “I would court her if I could,” he found himself saying, remembering just how fast his heart had beat when he had taken her hand in his. “I do not think I have ever met anyone like her before. She is extraordinary.”
“And the fact that she continues to seek you out also speaks of her ongoing interest,” Lord Swinton commented as Jeffery nodded. “If you could find a way to court her, to even consider matrimony, then—”
“I have told her I cannot, not unless I am able to prove myself entirely innocent of all that Lady Kensington had said of me,” Jeffery interrupted firmly. He turned to his friend, who had an exasperated look on his face. “Could you imagine the daughter of a duke being wed to someone who has a stain on his reputation? Who has been called a rogue and a scoundrel?” Shaking his head, his lips twisted in frustration. “The whispers would only multiply, Swinton. They would chase after her as well as after me. She would hear, many times over, that I am surely not a faithful husband, that I would, in time, pursue others rather than remain with her. She might not believe them, of course, but such rumors would only injure her heart, and it could be years before such things are gone from society.” Rubbing one hand over his eyes, he looked back at his friend. “And if I am blessed with offspring, what if they return to London and hear of my supposed misdemeanors? Someone will say, ‘that is the son or daughter of Lord Richmond, who was a great scoundrel back when he was courting Lady Richmond,’ and then what are my children to think of me? Will they believe what I have to say or will they begin to question what they know of me?”
“You are thinking much too far ahead,” Lord Swinton protested weakly, betraying his awareness that such things were all as Jeffery had suggested. “Surely you cannot...” He sighed and looked away. “Yes, I can see what you are saying.” His head lifted and sighed again. “Lady Rebecca is aware of it also, I suppose.”
“She is,” Jeffery admitted with a wry smile, “although she is quite determined that we should find a way to remove these rumors entirely.”
“And just how are we to go about such a thing?” Lord Swinton asked as Jeffery allowed himself to laugh. “Does she have any pertinent suggestions?”
Jeffery shook his head. “Neither of us has any thought on the matter at all, I am afraid. But that does not mean that we should throw our hands up and declare that we are quite at a loss!”
Lord Swinton grinned. “Not when there is such a thing as your happiness with Lady Rebecca to be secured, Richmond,” he agreed, slapping Jeffery on the shoulder. “Then let us begin to explore what is at hand so we can overcome this difficulty.”
The smile on Jeffery’s face faltered as he suddenly recalled the locket that he had been given and Lady Kensington’s demand. “That must come after I have done as Lady Kensington requests,” he said slowly as Lord Swinton began to frown, his grin gone in an instant. His happiness slipped away as he pulled the locket out and held it in his hand. “I forgot for a short time that she still has this tight hold upon me.” His eyes lifted back to Lord Swinton, who was frowning hard. “And quite how I am to free myself from her, I do not yet know.”
Chapter Ten
“Speaking to your father will do no good, Lady Rebecca.”
It had been ten days since Rebecca had heard Lord Richmond speak with such warmth and fondness, ten days since she had decided, within her own heart, that she would find a way for their acquaintance to move a little further. To know that he wanted to court her, that the desire to do so was within him, had brought such a joy to her spirit that she had felt herself almost renewed. Of course, Lady Hayward was well awar
e of the situation as it now stood, for Rebecca had been honest with her about what Lord Richmond had said, as well as her own growing feelings for the gentleman. These last ten days, they had spent time conversing together, whether in a quiet bookshop where they had met or over afternoon tea at Lady Hayward’s residence. The duke, of course, would not have permitted the gentleman entry, had he known, and yet Rebecca felt herself growing all the more eager to tell her father the truth.
“He will not accept Lord Richmond, Lady Rebecca,” Lady Hayward continued as they walked into the rooms that had been hired by Lord Greymark for his evening assembly, with Lady Anna and Lady Selina behind them. “You know he will not.”
Rebecca sighed and nodded. She had been trying to convince herself that her father would be willing to consider what she had to say, should she try to explain how she believed that Lord Richmond was innocent of the rumors that swirled about him. The duke was not the sort of man to listen carefully and to consider whatever Rebecca said. Rather, he would have already made up his mind and could not permit Rebecca even to speak of the gentleman! What Lord Richmond had said had been quite correct; it had only been her fervor that had made her eager to talk to her father.
“He will be here this evening,” she told Lady Hayward, who nodded, although one brow lifted. “I am sure he will be present.”
“I just wish I could have found you a gentleman that was without any difficulties at all,” Lady Hayward replied with a sigh. “Although I confess that I was the one who encouraged you to find a gentleman that captured your heart. It appears that Lord Richmond has been the one to do so!”
“It is something that I have been entirely unable to prevent,” Rebecca replied honestly. “If only I could think of a way for Lord Richmond to...” She trailed off, shaking her head. “Lord Kensington is the only one able to refute such rumors. I highly doubt he would be willing to do so.”