Hope of Romance

by Ellie St. Clair

He smiled as Violet arched one eyebrow, a teasing expression on her face. Apparently, she had seen the way he had been studying her sister.

  “Yes, quite a few things,” he said, honestly. “I think I might take a little more of a walk in the gardens.”

  “Capital idea,” Greville announced, offering his arm to his wife. “There is a lovely rose garden just over this way – I know it is my wife’s particular favorite.”

  Sebastian couldn’t help but chuckle at the gallant way Lord Greville led his wife into the gardens, recalling just how Greville had once considered marriage more of a business arrangement. Still smiling, he offered his arm to Lady Polly who, after a momentary hesitation, took it.

  “And how are you today, Lady Polly?” he asked, smiling down at her and trying not to react to the way her hand tightened a little on his arm. “I do hope you are in better spirits.”

  She looked much more herself now than when he had met her in Hyde Park, her cheeks once again filled with color and her eyes bright. Over the last few days, she had begun to smile more readily, her laughter bringing a joy to his heart that he could not explain. He was glad to see her happier, pleased that he had been able to assist her in leaving London.

  There was, of course, very little reason for him to remain at the Greville estate other than to enjoy the company of the Grevilles and of Lady Polly; however, given that he had been made more than welcome, Sebastian intended to stay for a longer period of time than he had originally planned.

  “I am much happier, thank you,” she replied, not quite looking at him but rather allowing her gaze to drift just a little away from him. “I feel rather foolish, in a way, that I asked you to accompany me here.”

  “Foolish?” he repeated, his heart slowly beginning to sink in his chest. Did she no longer want him here? “Why so?”

  She shook her head, turning her face away from him for a moment. “I cannot very easily explain it,” she said, slowly, “But it is as though I felt I needed you to be present, since you were such a mainstay of late back in London. If I had not had your company here, then I felt perhaps I would lose myself within thoughts of shame.” Glancing up at him, she gave him a small, rueful smile. “And now that I have settled in, I still find your presence a great comfort even though we have not often spoken of London. Rather selfish, am I not, to want to keep you here?”

  “Lady Polly, you must not think so,” Sebastian replied at once, finding himself surprised yet charged by her confession. “I am glad to be here with you, and with Greville and Violet. I have missed seeing Greville, you know. All in all, I would say it has turned out quite well, although I will always be glad to talk to you about what occurred in London, should you wish to speak of it.”

  Her shoulders slumped, and she looked away from him. “I am not sure it would,” she murmured, softly. “I still feel most embarrassed about my part in it all, Lord Taylor. I should have listened to you, but I was quite stubborn, I think. Even my sister has corrected me there.”

  Trying to bolster her flagging spirits, Sebastian placed his hand on hers for just a moment. “You thought yourself in love, Lady Polly. I quite understand how overwhelming an experience that can be.”

  She looked up at him sharply. “You can?”

  He pressed his lips together, finding that he did not wish to go into the subject at the moment, did not want to taint their time together here with words of Patricia Gladstone. “I do, so believe me when I say that I do not find you foolish, Lady Polly.”

  There was a moment of silence and, as they walked, Sebastian realized that his hand was still on hers. He had hardly noticed, it felt so natural. Clearing his throat, he removed his arm, leaving him feeling rather bereft.

  “My sister has asked you to call her ‘Violet’, has she not?”

  Lady Polly’s voice was soft and something in Sebastian’s heart began to constrict. “Yes, she has.”

  “Then it seems rather silly that we are so formal, especially after what we have shared together, does it not?” she asked, looking up at him. “Might you just call me ‘Polly’?”

  It was an intimacy that surprised him, but that he welcomed all the same. “I would be glad to, Polly,” he replied, warmth blossoming all through him. “And ‘Taylor’ will do just fine.”

  He would love to hear his Christian name on her lips, but he knew that was much more than he had any reason to ask.

  She smiled and tightened her hand on his arm. “I think we shall be very dear friends, Taylor. You are a good man.”

  “I strive to be,” he replied, finding his voice a little hoarse. Friends. That was what she wanted from him. “Thank you, Polly.”

  She said nothing and, together, they walked with the beauty of the gardens, carefully keeping some distance between themselves and Lord and Lady Greville. As they walked in companionable silence, Polly ever so slightly brushed up against his arm now and then. It was a little, silly thing, and yet Sebastian could not recall the last time he had ever felt so content.

  16

  “Greville? I must speak to you.”

  Sebastian saw his friend start, and he realized he had been sound asleep in his large wingback library chair.

  “I am sorry to wake you, old friend,” he chuckled, as he came closer to where Greville was sitting. “But I had to wait until the ladies had retired before I came in search of you.”

  “You mean my beautiful wife and her lovely sister?” Greville replied, astutely, even though he was still rubbing sleep from his eyes. “What is it, Taylor? Have you finally come to admit to me that you have fallen head over heels in love with Polly?”

  Sebastian hesitated, causing Greville to look at him expectantly. The truth was, he had done nothing but think of Polly. The morning following their walk, she had made him fulfill his promise to allow her to paint him. He had sat for her in the gardens, in silence for some of the time, but it had been an enjoyable quiet. It was as though they did not need to talk in order for the intimacy between them to grow.

  “You are not actually in love with her, are you?”

  Greville’s astonishment made Sebastian realize that he had not answered his friend and had, in fact, drifted off into deep considerations.

  “No, not at all,” he stammered, clearing his throat. “It is just that…” He trailed off, seeing Greville’s raised eyebrow. “Listen, I suppose I somewhat care for her, but that is as far as it goes.”

  “I must say, I am not quite sure what to do with such information,” Greville exclaimed, chuckling to himself. “You have quite taken me aback there, Taylor. I presume this is not what you wanted to talk to me about, however?”

  Choosing to put aside what had been said about Polly, Sebastian came to sit down opposite Greville and handed him the note he held.

  “I received this today,” Sebastian said, quietly. “It has been a blessing to have such a variety of informants on our side, for I have put them to good use for personal matters as well now — though with payment, of course.”

  Greville unfolded the note but did not read it, his eyes dark and brow furrowed. “This is to do with Yardley, does it not?”

  “It does,” Sebastian said, with a sigh as he leaned back in the matching chair to his friend’s, though the leather seat of this one was not nearly as worn as Greville’s. “He is not being as quiet about Lady Polly as I had hoped.”

  Greville’s frown deepened and he began to read the note aloud.

  “Lord Yardley has been questioned about the damage to his features. Since you are now gone from London, he has told everyone that it was your doing and that, since then, you have run from London. Yardley has stated that he was trying to stop you from seducing a young lady who has now also quit the town, although I cannot be sure that he is entirely believed. Yours, etc.”

  There was a long, pronounced pause. Sebastian felt his stomach roll with sudden nausea – not over Greville’s reaction but rather over what could easily be suggested about Polly.

  “You think the ton mi
ght soon make the connection between Polly’s flight from London and your own,” Greville said, slowly, one hand slowly curling into a fist. “Yardley has got a big mouth on him.”

  “He does not want to make himself out to be weak,” Sebastian replied, angrily. “By saying such a thing, he makes himself out to be a strong, honorable gentleman who tried to stop a terrible thing. While not everyone will believe him, knowing his past, there will be a few who take his word for it and will hail him as a hero. Perhaps in time, the beau monde will begin to whisper about Polly, but if they do not, I have no doubt that Yardley will make them more than aware of whom he is speaking.”

  Greville shook his head, his mouth in a thin line. “I thought you warned him off doing such a thing.”

  Sebastian shrugged. “I did, very firmly – although as the letter states because I am gone from London he now perhaps feels more able to say whatever he wishes. He might even think that I will not hear of it.”

  “But the Duke will,” Greville replied, mentioning Polly’s father. “What does Yardley think will happen then?”

  Letting out a long sigh, Sebastian shook his head. “I am not quite sure. Yardley is foolhardy, let us not forget.”

  “That is true.” He glanced over at Sebastian before looking back down at the letter. “We could tell Lord Daniel Harrington.”

  They were both silent for a moment. The eldest brother of the Harrington family, Daniel was well known for his violent temper. There had been rumors of the ill that had overtaken any who crossed him and his family, but nothing had ever been proven. Besides that, the man was currently out of the country.

  “No,” Sebastian finally said. “Polly very specifically asked me not to tell her brother.”

  “Do you want to ensure that Yardley is made aware that you know what he has been saying?”

  Sebastian frowned and shook his head. “No, I think not. The problem with Lord Yardley is that he will continue to behave this way, even if he does keep mum about what occurred with Polly. He will continue to either ruin or break the hearts of many a young lady.”

  A small smile began to play around Greville’s lips, pulling some of the tension away. “You want to put a stop to the man entirely.”

  Sebastian grinned, glad that his friend appeared so enamored with the idea. “I had thought of doing exactly that – although I will need to go to London for a time.”

  “Of course, of course,” Greville murmured, rubbing his chin and looking up at the ceiling as he thought. “I am sure you will be able to find more than a few gentlemen with daughters who will be willing to help you.”

  “It will take some courage on their part,” Sebastian said, slowly, not quite sure if everyone would be so willing. “But it will not take too many. Even a handful will be more than enough.”

  Nodding to himself, Greville got up and poured them both a measure of brandy. “And what of Polly? Will you tell her?”

  Biting his lip, Sebastian shrugged. “That, I am not sure about. I do not want to upset her unnecessarily.”

  “But she will want to know why you are gone to London.”

  “Then I will just state I have some business to take care of,” Sebastian replied, quickly. “I do not want to lie to her and that is, in fact, the truth, just without a lot of detail. She’ll understand all when the time comes.”

  “A wise idea,” Greville replied, after a moment. “It's best for her to move on for now, and she doesn't need to know about the swirling rumors until it's necessary.”

  Sebastian nodded.

  “And perhaps some time in London will help you to consider your own heart,” Greville finished, with a rather triumphant air. “You need not pretend that there is not something going on, Taylor. Personally, I think you should tell her the truth about what happened to you. She may understand better than anyone. And tell her how you feel. There may be something more there for you.”

  Sebastian was about to retort that he did not want to burden Polly with any such thing, not when she had her own difficulties to deal with, but just then the door opened carefully and none other than the girl in question stepped inside.

  She stopped when she saw them, her hand still on the door handle as they both stared at her mutely, and her eyes widened just a little.

  “Ah, Polly,” Sebastian said, smiling at her and hoping desperately she had not heard what Greville had said. “Are you looking for a book to read?”

  “I do hope I haven’t disturbed you both,” she murmured, coming a little farther into the library. “Yes, I was looking for something new. I sometimes have trouble sleeping, and I find that reading helps.”

  “Do not let us stop you,” Greville replied, with a wave of his hand. “I am sure I have volumes boring enough to lull you to sleep. Anyway, I think I am to bed myself. Do excuse me.”

  With a rather hearty wink toward Sebastian, Greville got to his feet and left the room, although he left the door wide open.

  “I should go also,” Sebastian muttered, altogether too aware that it was only the two of them in the room, which was rather untoward. “I have to leave in the morning.”

  Polly started, turning to face him a little more. “Leave?” she repeated, a look of astonishment on her face. “Why? To where?”

  “I am to go to London tomorrow,” Sebastian explained, taking a few steps toward where she stood, surprised by how strong a reaction she had displayed to his news. “It will not be for long.”

  “Why are you going?” she asked, her face pale in the candlelight.

  He shrugged, pretending that it was nothing of note. “It is only business,” he replied, with a forced smile. “You need not be so worried. I shall return within a couple of days.”

  She swallowed, her eyes glistening and his heart beat a bit faster at her reaction. “Oh,” she said, turning away from him. “For a moment I — I thought you meant not to return.”

  “You want me to return?” Sebastian asked softly, unable to stop himself from coming closer to her. She still had her back to him, looking up at the shelves of books, although Sebastian wasn't sure she was actually looking at anything.

  There was a moment of silence.

  “Yes, of course I do,” came her soft reply, as she glanced toward him. “I am sorry, I must appear so foolish. I was just a little taken aback, that's all.”

  “You need not apologize,” Sebastian replied, reaching for her hand and taking it in his. “I will confess that it is rather nice to be wanted, particularly by a beautiful young woman.”

  She smiled then, her eyes brightening. “I enjoy having you near me, I must confess.”

  “You will be just fine without me,” Sebastian murmured, not removing his hand from hers. “Violet and Greville will be good company.”

  She nodded, turning to face him a little more. “I know that. For whatever reason, I find myself …. somehow drawn to you.” She glanced at him, her cheeks a little red. “I know that is very strange but perhaps it is because you have been rather open and honest with me, right from the start. You have never treated me like a child, despite the fact that I have acted like one a fair bit and yet at the same time you have provided me with much-needed guidance. And I feel as though you will keep me from harm, even though there is no threat here.”

  Sebastian did not know what to say, stunned by her words. There was more emotion in what she had said then maybe even she realized, but they spoke to his heart.

  “I know I shall have to learn to trust my own judgment at some point, but I’m not sure I'm ready yet,” she finished, when he did not say anything.

  “You will,” he agreed, letting go of her hand and feeling the loss at once. “With time, you will learn to trust yourself again. Unfortunately, this I know from experience.”

  Interest flickered in her eyes. “Experience?” she repeated.

  Sebastian drew in a long breath, giving her a rueful smile. “Much too long a story to tell you this evening, I’m afraid.”

  Polly regarded him steadily. �
��Then will you tell me once you return?”

  He nodded. “Of course.”

  She smiled, her eyes twinkling and she came to stand closer to him. “Do you promise, Taylor?”

  A wave of heat rushed through Sebastian and he trailed a hand down the gentle skin of her cheek. She was a beauty, this one; that he could not deny. He felt such a need to drag her into his arms and press his lips to hers. Whether it was her gentle teasing or her disappointment to hear that he was leaving, he could not say – but the urge was almost overpowering.

  “I promise,” he said, hoarsely, lifting her hand and pressing his lips to the back of it, before forcing himself to let her go.

  He wasn't sure if he just imagined the disappoint in her eyes when he stepped away. “I must go now, Polly. Goodbye.”

  He turned to leave the room, when he heard her voice call out his name.

  “Wait!” she said, then rushed toward him. She said nothing, but grasped the lapels of his jacket and pulled him to her. She kissed him, hard and quick, before just as suddenly letting him go and practically sprinting from the room, leaving him staring after her in disbelief.

  17

  It surprised Polly just how much she missed Taylor over the next few days. She did not much speak to Violet, nor did she converse as easily with Greville as she once had. It was all rather strange.

  She did not know why he had gone to London but considered that it was not her place to ask about his business there. However, the promise that he would tell her all about the ‘experience’ he had spoken of kept her mind on nothing but him.

  “Polly?”

  Turning around, Polly saw Violet walking toward her across the gardens, a note in her hand. “Polly, this came for you.”

  Frowning, Polly took it from Violet and glanced down at the handwriting before turning it over to look at the seal. “It is from Mama.”

  “She will be wondering how you are doing,” Violet said, encouragingly, making to walk away. “I don’t think you need to look so worried, my dear sister.”