by Lucy Adams
He managed a small smile, knowing that Lady Whitehaven would be somewhat horrified that her daughter had entertained a gentleman who had not, thus far, been introduced. He quietly suspected that the lady had done such a thing without her knowledge, seeing the twinkle in her eye and believing that she had both a strong spirit and a determination to do as she pleased. It was not becoming for a lady of the ton to behave in such a fashion, but Edward found that he was warming to her almost at once.
“That is kind of you to say, Miss Wells,” he murmured, glancing across at the other two sisters and seeing that they remained steadfast in their gaze but did not say a word. “Did you enjoy the ball?”
She nodded eagerly. “It was quite wonderful,” she said, her eyes alight with contentment. “I truly loved every moment of it – although I confess that I feared you did not find much delight in the company nor the occasion, Lord Carroway!”
It took Edward a moment to realize what she meant. A flush crept up his neck as he tried to laugh, but the sound came out as a harsh groan instead.
“I confess that I am not always at ease within society, Miss Wells,” he admitted, with a good deal more truth than he had meant to share with her. “It has not often been my companion and certainly is not my friend. I do not miss it during the winter months, nor do I long for its return. In that regard, I believe we must be quite different.”
Miss Wells tipped her head and looked at him steadily, the smile fading from her lips as she did so. Mayhap she had never considered such a thing.
“There are some rumors about you, Lord Carroway,” she said slowly, as both her sisters gasped in horror at her blunt way of speaking. “Is that not so?”
Another curl of embarrassment swelled his chest. “I believe there are a good many rumors, yes,” he admitted quietly, looking back at her without flinching. “I think that the beau monde likes nothing better than pursuing such things and making a meal of whatever whispers and the like they can find.” His voice grew somewhat harsh, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke of his dislike of the ton.
“Then why do you attend balls and the like?” Miss Wells asked, her eyes now filled with curiosity and interest. “What makes you attend if you truly have no wish to be a part of the beau monde?”
Edward paused, knowing that he could not tell her the truth – for the truth was that he was only doing so because he had very little other choice. The truth was that he had no other way to ensure that Miss Wells was both safe and protected if he did not step in.
“I-I am a titled gentleman,” he said slowly, aware of the looks that were being shared between the sisters. “I must do as every gentleman must do.”
Miss Wells laughed softly, her eyes dancing. “Then you state that you call upon me solely for the purposes of attempting to secure my agreement to your courtship?” she asked, teasing.
Edward shook his head, wiping the smile from her face. “I must find a wife and secure the future of my title, Miss Wells,” he replied, aware that he was not speaking honestly to her and, for whatever reason, feeling a stab of guilt over it. “Therefore, it is to be expected that I should go about society, is it not?” He shrugged. “Even if I dislike the false smiles, the pretense, and the disguises that so many of the ton wear, I must still go about amongst them and attempt to discern the true beauty that is so often hidden away.”
Miss Wells blinked rapidly, no hint of a smile now clinging to her lips. It appeared as though he had shocked her with his blunt manner of speaking, and in what he had said, Edward knew there was a great deal of truth. He truly did despise the beau monde and found their falseness and flattery to be a matter of great disillusionment. It was why he was so very glad that he had been able to remove himself from it by throwing himself completely into working for King and country, albeit in a rather hidden manner.
“You speak very harshly, Lord Carroway,” Miss Wells said slowly, looking at him with something of a quizzical expression. Her head was tilted a little to the left, two spots of red now forming in her cheeks and her emerald eyes glittering as she watched him. “It sounds as though you find no enjoyment whatsoever in any part of society.” She arched one eyebrow, as if in silent challenge. “It sounds as though you simply go about your business out of duty rather than pleasure.”
He inclined his head, aware that she was attempting to find out whether he considered calling upon her to be a duty instead of truly wishing to be in her company. It was a trifle arrogant, he supposed, but then again, he had obviously confused her with his strange declaration that London society was, to his mind, something of a scourge.
“There are, I suppose, some moments that can be enjoyed,” he admitted, allowing a small smile to curve the edges of his lips. “I will admit to that, Miss Wells.”
She seemed to soften slightly, her shoulders relaxing and her smile growing steadily.
“Good gracious, Titania!”
One of her sisters – Edward could not recall which one was which – frowned as she gestured to the empty table in front of them both.
“You have not yet rung for tea, Titania, and I am quite sure that Lord Carroway is in desperate need of sustenance now that you have questioned him in such a manner!”
Edward frowned, hearing the cattiness in the lady’s voice and finding himself quite displeased by it. He did not like to see the blush that rose in Miss Titania’s face, nor did he like the way her eyes clouded with shame. Opening her mouth to speak and to—most likely—apologize, Edward found himself on his feet before she could say a word, bowing low.
“Please, Miss Wells, do not concern yourself with a such a thing,” he found himself saying, his mind working quickly. “It is such a fine day, and I have heard that the gardens here are quite lovely.” He raised his head and kept her gaze, seeing the way her expression cleared. “If it would not be too much trouble, might I ask you to join me for a short stroll through them? I shall be on my way directly otherwise.”
Miss Wells blossomed in front of him. “I should be glad to, Lord Carroway,” she said at once, getting to her feet and shooting a quick glance in the direction of her sisters. “I shall have one of the maids accompany me, Merry—so you and Catherine will not be required.” She gave them both a sweet smile, and Edward found himself grinning inwardly, feeling quite proud that he had managed to extricate Miss Wells from both her sisters. He could not speak freely to her when they were present, but to walk with her in the gardens would allow him to do precisely that.
A few minutes later and Edward found himself walking through the small but pretty garden at the back of the townhouse, marveling at the fountain that lay in the middle of it. A good deal of work had gone into the garden, and he had to admit that he was truly enjoying it.
“You are quite an unusual gentleman, Lord Carroway,” Miss Wells said suddenly, surprising him completely. “You come to call upon me and then state that you dislike society greatly. Then, when it is time for you to take your leave, you rise to your feet and ask me to accompany you in the gardens instead.” She looked up at him as they walked along the paved path that led through the gardens, the maid trailing behind them. “Not that I find your company unpleasant, of course.”
“I thank you,” Edward replied, not certain what to make of this young lady. “You are most kind to say so.” His mind began to work quickly as he tried to think of what he might say to begin to discover what it was he needed to know from Miss Wells. It had sounded rather simple when he had first thought of it. He would simply call upon her, speak to her, and ask her some questions that would give him insight into why Ravel was pursuing her. However, now that he was in her company, he found his mind scrambling to think clearly, his eyes caught up with her beauty. It was both frustrating and utterly intoxicating.
Clearing his throat, he gave her a quick smile. “I have heard, Miss Wells, that you are never without company when in society,” he stated, not quite certain where he was attempting to go with his questions. “Does that bring you any particular d
ifficulties?”
Miss Wells looked startled, then frowned. “If you are attempting to seek a compliment, Lord Carroway, then I fear you will go without.”
“A compliment?” he repeated, a trifle confused. “What do you mean?”
She shook her head in mock disbelief. “If you wish me to state that garnering a good deal of attention is difficult in that it keeps me from gentlemen such as yourself, then I fear you shall go without hearing it, Lord Carroway.” She tipped her head, stopped, and turned to face him a little more. “However, if you wish me to state that I have been in some sort of difficulty of late, then that is entirely another question.” She said nothing more but remained directly in front of him, her eyes sharp.
Edward cleared his throat, feeling a tingle of awareness run up his spine. There was something in Miss Wells’ eyes that had him a trifle afraid, as though he knew that she was aware there was more to his visit than he was admitting. That could not be true, however, for he was quite certain that she had not recognized his face the first time their eyes had met across the ballroom.
“I am sorry if you have found yourself in some difficulty,” he said slowly, looking at her steadily. “That is troubling to hear.”
Miss Wells arched one eyebrow, her eyes narrowing just a little. “And yet you will continue to pretend that you know nothing of what I speak, Lord Carroway,” she replied in a clear voice. “That is not particularly wise, given that you were both present and forced to come to my aid.”
A lump formed in his throat as she spoke, sweat beading on his forehead. He had not expected this. He had not expected Miss Wells to not only recognize him but to speak to him of it in such a direct manner.
“You say that you are Lord Carroway,” Miss Wells continued, her voice soft but her eyes sharp. “I will believe that, for it seems that much is not in doubt. However, you are more than just a titled gentleman, are you not?” Taking a step closer, she put one hand on his arm and looked up into his face. Edward felt his breath leave his body in a moment, her closeness overwhelming his senses. He wanted to speak, wanted to pretend that he had no understanding of what she was saying, and yet he found his mouth seemingly filled with dust, sand lodging in his throat. He could not say a single word.
“I think you have called upon me for reasons that you will not yet state,” Miss Wells said, her hand tightening just a little on his arm. “But I will not be lied to, Lord Carroway. If you wish to speak to me honestly, if you wish to tell me what it is that you seek, then you must tell me the truth about yourself.” Her lips thinned as she took another small step forward, her closeness making him catch his breath. “Who are you, truly, Lord Carroway? You are not just a titled gentleman, so what else is it that you are involved in? And why did you tell me that night to keep what I had seen entirely to myself, if you were to come prying only a few days later?”
Edward began to stammer, sweat trickling down his back as he struggled to know what to say and what to do. Miss Wells had caught him entirely off guard. Not for one moment had he considered that she would know him, that she would recognize him to be the gentleman who had saved her from the murderer some nights before. What should he do? Should he tell her all?
“Titania?”
Closing her eyes tightly, Miss Wells let out a long frustrated breath and then stepped back from Edward. Edward too let out a sigh, although his was one of relief. It seemed he would not have to summon an answer at this very moment.
“Allow me some time to consider what I must say, Miss Wells,” he said, his voice rasping somewhat as he bowed in her direction. “This has come as something of a surprise, but I will consider what you have said and what I must do.” His eyes strayed to the door from whence they had come, seeing one of her sisters beginning to advance. “Pray, maintain your silence, Miss Wells, for the time being.”
A scowl formed across her pretty face, her displeasure clear. “You shall not lie to me again, Lord Carroway. I will not have it.”
“I will not speak any more untruths to you,” he promised, lifting his head and looking at her straight in the eye. “I give you my word, such as it is.” He could not say more for Miss Wells’ sister arrived by then, and he was forced to take his leave of her.
“I was just taking my leave of your sister, Miss Wells,” he said, seeing the slightly dark look in the lady’s eye. “Good day to you.”
“Good day, Lord Carroway,” both the ladies replied as one. They curtsied beautifully, and Edward had no other choice but to hurry back towards the house, leaving the frustrated and clearly upset Miss Titania Wells behind.
Chapter Eight
“I do hope Lord Carroway will be here this evening.”
Even the mention of his name did not bring a smile to Titania’s face, aware that Merry’s comment was simply to try and get a reaction from her. Catherine, who had found them both in the garden when Lord Carroway had called upon her yesterday afternoon, had remained almost steadfastly silent about the gentleman, although her disapproval of Titania’s behavior had been quietly communicated through dark looks and an occasional mutter of condemnation as Titania and Merry had discussed the gentleman.
Not that Titania cared much for what her sisters thought. Catherine was attempting to ensure that Titania’s reputation remained entirely spotless, although Titania did not think that walking in her townhouse gardens with a gentleman and a maid alongside them both was in any way improper. In fact, it had been entirely necessary, given that she had been required to discover the truth about Lord Carroway and his presence at her home.
She had not recognized him immediately, that much was true. It was only as they spoke, only as they conversed, that she seemed to remember something about him. Studying him carefully, she had taken in his dark hair, his firm jaw and piercing blue eyes but still this awareness had nagged at her mind with such a fervency that her head had begun to ache. When Lord Carroway had suggested taking a short walk about the gardens, she had leapt at the chance to escape the stuffy drawing room and allow herself a little more freedom. She had hoped that the change would allow her mind to clear, to settle on whatever it was that she was trying to remember – and, in stepping out of doors with Lord Carroway, it had managed to do so.
It had come like a bolt of lightning that had lit up her entire self, making her stumble as she recalled his face leaning down over her as she had struggled against unconsciousness. The firmness of his voice had seeped into her memory as he had spoken to her, asking her if she had found any particular difficulty within society, and the sharpness of his eyes had caught her heart.
It had been a rather unorthodox question and that in itself had made her reconsider Lord Carroway again. What was it that he wished to know from her, she had asked herself, looking up into his face. She had therefore decided to be quite direct with him, stating clearly that she knew him to be something more than just a titled gentleman seeking to court her. That had drained the color from his face and, had not her sister interrupted them, Titania had been quite certain that Lord Carroway would have told her the truth.
Her heart quickened with an inexplicable excitement. It was a little frustrating that Lord Carroway had come to her under false pretenses and a trifle insulting that he had hoped she would not recall him and simply respond to his questions as any young lady might, but still, she could not help but feel a surge of exhilaration at the thought of seeing him again. He had stated that he would speak the truth to her, and it was this that filled Titania with a good deal of anticipation. What was the truth? And why did he seem so concerned for her? She knew full well that he had been chasing down the murderer that night and that it had been he who had told her not to say a word about what she had seen to another living soul, and that gave him a most mysterious appearance. What was it that he was involved in?
I am not in any danger from him, am I?
Her footsteps hesitated for a moment as she walked beside her sisters into the ballroom, making Catherine give her a strange look. Collecting her
self, Titania held her chin a little higher, making sure her shoulders were straight and that she moved as gracefully as she could. No, she convinced herself, she was not in any danger from Lord Carroway. He had taken care of her that night she had fought the murderer. He had made her promise not to say a word but had then made sure that she had been brought back inside to her family. That was not the actions of a man who sought to harm her in some way.
And then, the memory of the man looking up at the house came back at her with force, making her gasp with fright.
“Titania, are you all right?”
Merry was by her side in a moment, her hand resting gently on Titania’s arm.
“I am quite well, I assure you,” Titania promised, trying to regain her composure as quickly as she could. “I just had a strange thought, and it took my breath away.”
Merry’s eyes remained concerned. “Do you wish to share it with me?” she asked, as they walked slowly into the pool of guests. “Is it troubling?”
Shaking her head, Titania looked at her sister and managed to smile. “It is nothing,” she promised, knowing that she could not share such a thing with her sister. “It is merely that I know I shall see Lord Carroway again this evening, and I fear that he may do the same as before.” It was nothing more than a lie, but it seemed to satisfy Merry, who gave Titania an understanding smile.
“If you fear that he will remain afar from you and will not seek to come near and ask you for a dance, then you must make sure to keep some of your dances unsecured,” Merry suggested, letting go of Titania’s hand. “Although I must say, I thought you would be much more taken with Lord Huckleby than Lord Carroway.”
Titania chuckled, ignoring the twisting nervousness in her stomach. “I consider them both equally,” she replied, making Merry laugh. “Neither has made any particular advances towards me as yet, and therefore, I allow myself to consider both equally. That is fair, is it not?”
