“I thank you, Lord Comerfield,” Lady Anna replied, giving him one more long look before she turned her attention to Lord Rowley. “Good afternoon, Lord Rowley.”
“Good afternoon,” Lord Rowley replied cheerfully. “Until we meet again this evening.”
Lady Anna said nothing more but turned to walk back along the path towards her carriage, with Lady Hayward quickly bidding both Elias and Lord Rowley farewell before hurrying after her charge. Elias watched them both depart, his brow furrowing hard as he attempted to work out what strange sensation it was this time that caused him to watch her so closely.
“Well, well,” Lord Rowley murmured, dragging Elias’ attention back towards him. “You had a pleasant conversation with Lady Anna, then?” He eyed Elias suspiciously as though everything he had seen and overheard now confirmed what he had always thought. “She appears to be much more inclined towards conversation with you.”
“For which I am very glad,” Elias replied, turning his back on the two departing ladies and making his way further along the path with Lord Rowley by his side. “It seems that her return to society is very near its conclusion. She is correct when she states that any thought of courtship or matrimony or the like will have to wait until next Season, however.” His jaw worked for a moment, his brow furrowing hard. “I wish it were not so.”
“There is a simple solution to such a thing,” Lord Rowley replied with a sly smile. “Surely you can surmise what it might be without me having to explain such a thing to you?”
Elias rolled his eyes. “I do not think that the solution would be at all acceptable,” he replied, knowing precisely what Lord Rowley spoke of. “The duke himself was glad that I should not wed his daughter,” he stated with a lift of his brow. “To suggest it now would be—”
“But you are a changed man!” Lord Rowley cried as though this was apparent for all to see. “It is not as though you are the scoundrel you once were!”
“I was never a scoundrel!” Elias protested as Lord Rowley began to laugh. “Now, enough nonsense. I shall not permit you to speak of such foolishness again!”
Lord Rowley chuckled and the two went on their way with jovial conversation. But, try as he might, Elias could not remove Lord Rowley’s suggestion from his thoughts, even though, in his heart, he knew that such a thing could never be.
Chapter Ten
Anna smiled at her sister as they sat in the carriage. “You look much better, Selina. Have you recovered from your headache?”
“I am feeling much improved, I thank you,” Lady Selina replied as Lady Hayward sat down and smoothed her skirts. “I hear that you walked with Lord Comerfield and Lord Rowley this afternoon.”
Anna nodded but looked away. She did not want to speak of what Lord Comerfield had shared with her, for she had found her feelings towards him changing very rapidly these last few days. Having found herself to be very angry with him indeed, which had turned to frustration and upset, she had slowly begun to see just how much effort he had put into arranging events specifically so that she could be welcomed back into society without too much difficulty.
He had been present these last ten days. He had watched her carefully, had always been ready to step forward and speak to whoever he needed to, and, from what she understood, had lost some standing in society given what he had confessed to. By all accounts, he had made himself out to be worse than he truly was simply so that she might rise up in society’s view, whilst he would sink all the lower.
“Lord Comerfield has been outstanding in his willingness to aid you, Lady Anna,” Lady Hayward said quietly. “He will be here this evening, I understand.”
“Yes, I believe so,” Anna replied without any inflection in her voice. “As will Lord Rowley.”
Lady Selina laughed. “Do not think that there is any opportunity for a connection to be made between myself and Lord Rowley,” she said as Anna looked at her in surprise. “Although I could not say the same for you and Lord Comerfield.”
An exclamation of astonishment left Anna’s mouth. “I can hardly believe you have suggested such a thing!” she exclaimed as Lady Selina continued to laugh. “Such a thing is quite ridiculous. You know very well that Lady Hayward, Father, and I have concluded that next Season is to be the one where I shall find a match.” She smiled sympathetically at her sister. “I am sorry that this has taken up so much of our time this Season, my dear sister. I know that you also have been seeking a match.”
Lady Selina shook her head. “Have no concern for my sake,” she replied warmly. “This situation is not of your doing and I have been glad to see things improving for you.”
Relieved that she had managed to remove the subject of Lord Comerfield from the conversation, Anna lapsed into silence as the carriage made its way to Lord and Lady Wessex’s home. She did not even want to consider what had been said by Selina but try as she might, the thought whispered into her heart and refused to leave it. Would it be such a bad thing to wed Lord Comerfield? She had, initially, thought him nothing other than selfish and arrogant, unable to change in any way, only for him to prove her entirely mistaken. He had changed significantly. She had initially believed that he was attempting to encourage her back into society for his own sake rather than her own, but given how he had behaved these last few days, the way he had been ready and on hand to push as much of the blame onto himself as he could, had proved to her that there was far more consideration for her than before. And when he had spoken to her that afternoon, she had practically felt his desperation to prove to her that he had considered what she had said and allowed it to change him.
“Are you planning to remove yourself from the carriage or will you stay in there for the rest of the evening?”
Startled, Anna looked to her left and saw the smiling face of Lady Hayward looking back at her from the open door of the carriage. It seemed that both Lady Hayward and Lady Selina had not only climbed down from the carriage but had waited for her for some moments before evidently realizing that she was not even aware that the carriage had come to a stop.
“Oh, excuse me!” Anna exclaimed, making her way out of the carriage at once and grasping the hand of the waiting footman to help her climb down. “I was lost in thought.”
Lady Hayward said nothing, although there came a knowing look in her eye as she smiled. Anna did not want to say anything of what she had been thinking and thus continued on her way up the steps to the entrance of the townhouse, her embarrassment at being so tardy blocking any sense of anxiety that came with attending the first of her social events in some time that had not had a carefully selected guest list. Welcomed by the hosts, Anna made her way into the ballroom with Lady Selina on one side and Lady Hayward on the other. Letting out a long breath, she gave herself a slight shake and lifted her chin.
“You will do very well,” Lady Hayward murmured encouragingly. “Do not allow anyone to see should they affect you. But smile warmly, speak with spirit, and accept dances from those you choose without feeling at all inclined to accept every gentleman that approaches you.”
“I will, Lady Hayward,” Anna replied, taking in a steadying breath. “And thank you.”
* * *
“I believe it is our dance, Lady Anna.”
Anna looked up into the face of Lord Henderson, who had come to claim her for the waltz. She did not know him particularly well but, despite the advice of Lady Hayward, had found herself willing to accept any offers of dancing from any gentlemen who asked her.
“So it is, Lord Henderson,” she replied, disliking the way the gentleman leered at her, his eyes a little dark. Perhaps she had been wrong to accept him, even though she knew him to be a gentleman. “If I might, Lady Hayward?”
Lady Hayward smiled and nodded, gesturing for her to take her leave with Lord Henderson. Stepping out onto the floor, Anna made her way to the dance floor on the arm of Lord Henderson. They said nothing at present, although he continued to glance down at her as though she were some sort of prized possess
ion.
“You are doing rather well in society, it seems,” he said as they bowed and curtsied to each other as the music began. “You have recovered somewhat.”
“I have,” she answered tightly, not at all appreciating his attempt to make conversation. Did he really think that she would want him to mention such a thing?
“And the rumors about your behavior with Lord Comerfield are quite untrue?” he asked, clasping her tightly around the waist and grasping her hand with the other. “I suppose they must be, given all that Lord Comerfield has been saying.”
Anna fought down the flurry of embarrassment tinged with anger that began to burn in her heart. “There is no truth whatsoever, Lord Henderson,” she replied stiffly, stumbling just for a moment, although Lord Henderson simply dragged her along with him until she was able to regain her footing. “I am very grateful to Lord Comerfield for making certain that the ton is aware of his actions.”
Lord Henderson chuckled darkly as though such a statement was a very foolish thing indeed, as though he did not believe it to be true. Anna said nothing but continued to dance quietly, wishing that such a conversation was now quite at an end. But Lord Henderson showed no such eagerness, continuing to speak of all that had occurred with great relish and looking down at her keenly as though to surmise whether or not she herself had any enjoyment from it. Anna felt herself stiffen all the more and decided to remain utterly silent until the dance came to a close, no matter what Lord Henderson asked her. This was something of an impossible task, given just how much Lord Henderson asked, how much he demanded from her, and just how irritated he became when she would not speak of it.
“I will take from your silence, Lady Anna, that you are culpable in some way but do not wish to speak of it,” he said as the dance came to a close. “That shall not make me think any less of you, however.” He grinned at her as he bowed, his eyes holding a darkness that she did not much like. “I think a little more of you, in fact.”
“If you would return me to Lady Hayward,” she answered frostily. “I should be glad of it.” She knew now that it had been a mistake to accept Lord Henderson’s request for a dance, given all that he had said. His character was not a kind one, and she vowed silently not to be in his company again.
“This way, Lady Anna,” he murmured, offering her his arm and, out of nothing more than requirement, Anna forced herself to take it. In the melee of couples leaving the dance floor, she did not realize that he was not returning her to Lady Hayward until it was much too late. Her heart began to pound as he led her through an open door and outside into the warm night air, attempting to wrench her hand from his arm but discovering, much to her fright, that his other hand was now tight upon hers, keeping it there firmly without her permission. Her heart began to pound furiously as he pulled her down the steps that led into the garden, and she knew she could not cry out for fear of being recognized. If she cried out, if she was seen by another, then they would know immediately who she was and the rumors that swirled around about her. Everything that had been pushed away from her, everything that she and Lord Comerfield had been trying to fight, would return to her tenfold. She would never again be able to hold her head up in society. Everything would come to an end.
But what else was she to do? If she lingered with Lord Henderson, then another guest might well see her and realize that she was out walking with him without a chaperone. But if she did not remove herself from him, then she feared what he would attempt to do! Would it be worse for her to hurry back inside alone, her chaperone entirely absent? Or to be discovered walking with Lord Henderson?
She did not have any further moments to consider for Lord Henderson, chuckling quietly to himself, pulled her into a darker part of the garden where they would not be seen.
“Unhand me!” she whispered furiously, her skin crawling with fear. “How dare you treat me in such a fashion?”
He laughed and let her hand go—and Anna made to step back at once only for him to grasp her tightly around the waist and pull her close.
“I do not believe a word of what Lord Comerfield has been saying,” he grated as she fought and clawed at his hands, trying to pull herself from him, but his grip was too strong and his determination much too fierce. “I think that you are more than willing to give a few affections here and there.” Leaning closer, his breath ran across her cheek, and Anna shuddered, beginning to feel almost entirely helpless against his strength. “Or is it only to Lord Comerfield that you shall give them?”
“Let me go!” Anna cried, her voice no longer a whisper as she began to panic. “You should not have brought me here!”
Lord Henderson laughed again and made to lower his head but, just as he did so, something hard barreled into him from the side. Anna was released in an instant, staggering back as she fought to keep her balance. Her breathing was ragged, her hands pressed to her chest as she stared into the darkness, trying to work out what had just occurred. Her legs were trembling, her whole body shaking with fright until, finally, she heard a voice she recognized.
“How dare you!”
Lord Comerfield.
Anna closed her eyes, trying to breathe at a normal pace as she fought against the panic and fear that threatened to overwhelm her. She dared not move, she dared not step out into the ballroom now, not when she did not know what would be waiting for her. Had someone noticed her absence? Had they seen her being taken to the garden with Lord Henderson? If so, she dared not return, not when the guests would, once more, look at her as though she were the greatest of sinners.
“Lady Anna?”
Lord Comerfield’s voice was quiet now, gentle and pleading as she looked all about her, her breathing ragged. “Lady Anna, please.”
“I am here,” she whispered, just as a figure came closer to her, making her jump violently. “Lord Comerfield?”
“I am sorry,” he said, taking her hand and pressing it hard. “I did not think he would do such a thing and it took me some minutes to realize where you had gone.”
Without having had any intention of doing such a thing, Anna found herself leaning into Lord Comerfield, her hands pressed against his chest as her head rested on his shoulder. She shook violently again and, after a moment, felt Lord Comerfield embrace her. It was not a touch that spoke of intimacy or any affection but rather gave her a great comfort that, for the moment, she so desperately needed.
“I will go and fetch Lady Hayward,” he said gently. “Stay here, Lady Anna. Then you can return to the ballroom without any difficulty.”
She shuddered again but pushed herself from him, nodding. “Has anyone within the ballroom noticed my absence?”
“I do not think so,” he replied softly. “There are one or two others in the garden at present but, if you remain here and away from the path, then I am certain you will not be noticed.” His hand pressed hers. “I am reluctant to leave you.”
She closed her eyes and let out a long breath. “Where is Lord Henderson?”
Lord Comerfield’s hand left hers. “He will not trouble you again,” he said without giving her an answer. “I have made certain of it. I am sorry, Lady Anna.”
She shook her head. “There is no need for you to apologize, Lord Comerfield,” she whispered. “Now, if you please, might you go and fetch Lady Hayward? I am eager to return inside.”
With a murmur of encouragement and a gentle touch of his hand, Lord Comerfield took his leave of her. Anna closed her eyes and tried to control her trembling, fully aware of the danger she was in. Should anyone discover her, then her reputation would be quite ruined.
Stay here.
The reassurance in Lord Comerfield’s voice echoed back in her mind. He had been certain that she would not be discovered, that she would be kept quite safe should she only do as he asked. She had to trust him, even if it meant standing in a dark part of the gardens without any awareness of who was nearby or where Lord Henderson was.
The minutes seemed to stretch out into hours until Anna
was not at all sure just how long she had been standing there alone. Her skin was cold, her fingers clammy as they wrapped around her arms, leaving her to shudder with both fear and the chill.
The sound of soft footsteps crossing the grass caught her ears, and she caught her breath, stepping back in fright—only to hear Lord Comerfield’s voice.
“Lady Anna?”
She sagged with relief, one arm wrapped around her waist as she bent forward, dragging in air.
“Anna!” Lady Hayward was with her in a moment, her arms wrapped around Anna’s shoulders as she pulled her close. “I was so afraid for you.”
“She is safe,” Lord Comerfield murmured, coming to join them both. “But we must hurry you inside, Lady Anna, before you are missed.”
Anna dragged in air, looking into Lady Hayward’s face and only barely able to make out her features. “I am sorry.”
“There is nothing for you to apologize for,” Lady Hayward said firmly. “Lord Comerfield told me he was not certain of Lord Henderson and watched him closely. He saw him lead you away from me, rather than towards me. I am very grateful indeed that he observed you with such a close eye.”
“He would not let me go,” Anna whispered hoarsely. “Lord Henderson said that he believed the rumors, believed that I would give him affections without hesitation. When I tried to push him away, he…he would have…” Her throat constricted and she sucked in air, feeling a little faint. “Lord Comerfield, had you not been present, then I fear what would have occurred.”
“This is all entirely my doing,” he replied grimly. “But come, Lady Anna, we must have you back inside very soon. The warmth of the ballroom will aid your recovery.”
A Selfish Heart: A Regency Romance: Landon House (Book 2) Page 12
