by Rose Pearson
“There has been some severe news,” he heard Lord Swinton express as he himself struggled to find what he might say to Lady Rebecca. “Lord Richmond has only just heard it.”
“I see,” Lady Hayward replied, a tightness about her lips that had not been there only moments before. “I do hope all is well, Lord Richmond.”
Jeffery took in a long breath and forced himself to speak calmly. “You are very kind, Lady Hayward,” he said slowly, suddenly wondering which of Lady Kensington’s friends would be watching such an interaction so that she might then tell the lady thereafter. “It has been something of a shock.”
“I am sorry to hear it,” Lady Rebecca replied, her eyes searching his face as he glanced at her. “I had thought to come and converse with you this evening for a short while, but perhaps now is not the best time to do so.”
Jeffery did not answer, only for Lord Swinton to clear his throat and elbow him hard in the ribs, shifting his stance just a little so as to cover his actions. Jeffery gave himself a slight shake, looking into the concerned eyes of Lady Rebecca and trying his best to speak with both consideration and appreciation.
“Your concern is appreciated, Lady Rebecca,” he said, inclining his head. “What was it you wished to speak of?”
She looked thoroughly confused. “Whatever came to mind,” she replied as Lady Hayward and Lord Swinton began to speak quietly. “But if you are troubled, then I must make certain not to disturb you.”
Jeffery closed his eyes again, remembering the harsh words of Lady Kensington and finding himself drawing close to despair. He wanted desperately to linger in Lady Rebecca’s presence, wanted urgently to converse with her, to see her smile and to speak with an openness of heart that he had not yet had with any young lady of his acquaintance. And yet to do so would be to put her in a little more danger, given just what Lady Kensington had threatened.
“I think, Lady Rebecca, that for the moment, it might be best for you to step away from me,” he said bluntly. “I do not mean to cause you ill nor to appear ungrateful for your willingness to befriend me and to speak to me when within society, but there are matters at hand that could endanger your reputation all the more.”
“And I have told you that I am willing to take such a risk,” Lady Rebecca said firmly, but Jeffery shook his head.
“I am not,” he replied as her eyes flared for a moment, spots of color lingering on her cheeks. “Your reputation, your character, and your sweetness of heart are all much too important, of too much consequence for me to allow them to be trampled for my sake, Lady Rebecca.”
He watched as her color heightened, clearly caught between appreciation of his remark and frustration at being told she could no longer be so acquainted with him. He could not blame her for her confusion, given that only two days prior, he had been thankful and eager for her continued acquaintance and now was telling her that, instead, there ought to be nothing further between them. One moment he had been pulling her towards him, the next, pushing her away.
“Lord Richmond,” Lady Rebecca said softly, moving just a little closer and looking up into his eyes. “Something has happened, has it not?”
He looked away. “Please, Lady Rebecca.”
“Something that is deeply troubling, no doubt,” she continued, ignoring him. “You are not alone in this, Lord Richmond. You need not push me away. You know very well that I am glad to be acquainted with you.” Her eyes flickered. “Are we never to have the opportunity to know each other a little better?”
He took a deep breath, remembering with horror what Lady Kensington had threatened. “As much as I might wish to, Lady Rebecca,” he said honestly, “to give in to all that I might seek will only cause you trouble.”
“Trouble that I might be willing to accept,” she said, but Jeffery reached out and grasped her hand, squeezing it tightly. Lady Rebecca caught her breath, her eyes widening, and Jeffery found he could not speak for a moment, his own heart thundering furiously at the touch of her hand in his.
“Trouble I will refuse to place upon you, Lady Rebecca,” he said, hoarsely. “Leave me. Do not come to seek me out again, I beg you. For your own sake, you must do this.”
She did not immediately respond, her fingers shifting slightly, her thumb running over the back of his hand. Jeffery swallowed hard, aware of the way his heart was exploding in his chest, wanting desperately to pursue her, to be able to seek her out as he might do with any other lady of his acquaintance, but knowing full well he could not.
“What if I cannot, Lord Richmond?” she asked as he dropped his head. “What then?”
“You must,” he replied, reluctantly letting go of her hand. “There is no other choice for you, Lady Rebecca. Save yourself before you become all the more entangled in the web that surrounds me.”
There was a faint glow in her eyes as she looked back at him, her lips pressed hard together and a determination seeming to emanate from her. Jeffery could feel his resolve slipping away and knew that if she did not leave his presence soon, he would, most likely, tell her to forget all that he had said in favor of her remaining in his company.
“Lady Rebecca, let us take our leave.”
Jeffery turned to Lady Hayward with a start, having quite forgotten her presence. To hide his reaction, he bowed quickly towards her but did not miss the knowing gleam in her eye.
“Good evening, Lady Hayward, and I thank you for coming to speak to me,” he said honestly as Lord Swinton frowned hard behind her. “I hope you both enjoy what is left of the assembly.”
“I am sure we will,” Lady Hayward replied as Lady Rebecca bobbed a quick curtsy in farewell. “May whatever is troubling you soon be resolved, Lord Richmond.”
He gave her a brief smile before turning his gaze back towards Lady Rebecca, who was still watching him, a troubled look in her eyes. “Good evening, Lady Rebecca,” he rumbled, feeling as though he was saying a pronounced farewell. “May the remaining months of the Season be a great success.”
She said nothing, frowned hard, and then turned her head away, moving past him so that she might rejoin her sisters, who had been waiting patiently for them to finish their conversation. Jeffery sighed and ran one hand over his face before looking back to his friend.
“To Whites, Swinton?” he asked, praying that he would quickly agree. “I do not think I can linger here any longer.”
Lord Swinton nodded without hesitation. “But of course,” he replied, curiosity clear in his eyes. “At once, if you wish.”
“At once,” Jeffery repeated before turning on his heel and making his way through the crowd, suddenly desperate to remove himself from the evening assembly and find the fresh air that would allow him freedom from the trouble that had thrown itself at him, clinging to him now with such a weight that Jeffery felt as though he were being pulled down into the ground, his steps heavy and his spirits low. It seemed that he would have no other choice but to obey Lady Kensington, no matter what it cost him. To refuse would be unthinkable.
Chapter Eight
“Good afternoon, Lord Clayton.”
Rebecca smiled back at the handsome gentleman as he bent over her hand, relieved beyond expression that this was to be the final visit for this afternoon. Behind her, she could hear one of her sisters giggle—although she could guess which one it was.
“I do hope I might be permitted to call upon you again, Lady Rebecca,” Lord Clayton said, one eyebrow lifting towards the duke who sat quietly in his chair, seemingly bored with the conversation. Rebecca glanced at her father, who quickly rose to his feet and cleared his throat in a harsh manner.
“Yes, yes, of course,” he said quickly as Rebecca kept her smile fixed in place. “You would be very welcome indeed, Lord Clayton. Good afternoon.”
The two gentlemen exchanged farewells and Rebecca waited until Lord Clayton had left the room before she sat back down in her chair, albeit a little too heavily, for her father noticed at once and lifted an eyebrow in her direction.
; “Not suitable for you, then?” he queried as Rebecca smiled. “He is only an earl, I suppose.”
“A handsome earl!” Lady Selina interrupted, one hand flying to her mouth as both she and Lady Anna giggled. The duke, perhaps uncertain as to what to do with such silly creatures as his daughters, ignored them entirely.
“I did give him permission to call upon you again, however,” he continued, looking at Rebecca with one lifted brow. “I do hope that you will entertain him, although, of course, should someone with a more suitable title come to call, then you can easily make your disinterest in Lord Clayton plain.”
Rebecca smiled to herself. “Yes, Father,” she said quietly as the duke nodded, clearly satisfied with himself that he had guided his daughter so well. “I believe I have one more caller this afternoon, although I cannot be certain of when he will arrive.” She glanced towards her sisters, who were now looking at her with interest. “My sisters can sit with me, of course.”
The duke frowned. “Lady Hayward should be here,” he muttered as Rebecca remained quiet. “If only she had not that unfortunate meeting with her solicitors, I would not have to do—”
“We can sit with Rebecca, Father,” Lady Selina interrupted brightly, smiling eagerly at her father as she repeated Rebecca’s words. “That is quite proper, particularly since there are two of us who will be present.”
“More than proper,” Lady Anna agreed as Rebecca held her father’s gaze steadily. “And we will not leave the room or do anything foolish.”
“I am sure you have plenty to attend to, Father,” Rebecca said gently. “Please, there is no need to linger.”
The duke harrumphed, then nodded. “Very well,” he said, much to Rebecca’s relief. “You are to attend the fashionable hour in Hyde Park, I understand?”
Rebecca nodded. “Lady Hayward is to call for us soon, Father,” she acknowledged. “I will make sure to inform you before we depart.”
This seemed to satisfy the duke, for he exited the room without another word or even a backward glance, leaving his daughters to sit together as they had done so many times before. Rebecca let out a long breath and looked to her sisters, who were sitting quietly, although with an expectant look on their faces.
It was time to take them into her confidence.
“I am hopeful that Lord Swinton and Lord Richmond will call,” Rebecca said quickly, praying that there was nothing about that name on her lips that would affect her expression. “I do not think that father is aware of the gossip surrounding Lord Richmond, but, if he is, it would be best if he did not remain in the room when they come to call.” Her heart twisted in her chest, uncertain as to whether or not Lord Richmond would be willing to attend. He had been very clear in his decision last evening and whilst she had been required to step away from him, she had felt that same urgency to remain in his company, to speak at length with him and to find out the truth of what was now pushing him from her once more.
Lord Swinton had agreed at once, his note received by her within the hour of her first sending the invitation. Of Lord Richmond, however, she could not be certain, and it was this that made her all the more anxious.
“Lord Richmond?” Lady Selina repeated, a look of astonishment etched on her features. “But he is a rake, Rebecca!”
“He is not,” Rebecca replied firmly. “He has been mistaken for a rake. It was a mixup. There are those within society who do not believe the rumors. I will state now… I am one of them.”
“Is Lady Hayward aware of his intention to call?” Lady Anna asked, sounding a little doubtful. “I am sure she would have something to say on the matter if she were aware of it.”
“As you saw last evening,” Rebecca said primly, “she permitted me to converse with him and, I am certain, would not be against his visit this afternoon.”
She watched as her sisters looked at each other before returning their gaze to Rebecca. Both of them looked doubtful indeed, although Rebecca did not feel the need to defend herself any further. They did not need to know that it had been she who had written to both Lord Swinton and Lord Richmond and invited them to call. In fact, Rebecca considered, the less they were aware of, the better.
“I am not certain I would be glad to share company with Lord Richmond, Rebecca,” Lady Anna said slowly, her brow suddenly furrowing. “What if he—”
A scratch at the door interrupted them, and Rebecca rose to her feet at once, her heart hammering furiously as the butler came in. Had he come? Had he agreed to see her once more, even though he had spoken with such evident determination last evening?
“Lord Swinton, my lady,” the butler said, glancing at Lady Anna and Lady Selina as though making certain she was not alone. “And Lord Richmond.”
Rebecca swallowed hard, her nervousness beginning to climb up within her. “But of course,” she said quickly. “Some tea trays, if you please.”
The butler nodded, and, in a moment, both Lord Swinton and Lord Richmond were bowing towards the three ladies, with Lord Richmond looking all about the room as though he had expected Lady Hayward to be present.
“My father has had to return to his business affairs,” Rebecca said, by way of explanation. “Please, do be seated.” She gestured to two chairs, and, much to her relief, Lord Swinton stepped forward at once and took the seat closest to her two sisters. They both blushed furiously at his warm and charming smile, engaging him quickly in conversation and leaving Rebecca free to speak to Lord Richmond.
“Lord Richmond,” Rebecca murmured, seeing the way that he sat down almost gingerly in a chair, as if uncertain as to whether or not he would be welcome. “You were willing to call.”
Blue eyes reached hers. “I am still uncertain about my visit, Lady Rebecca,” he said gruffly. “But I find that the thought of refusing such an invitation is much too painful.”
Rebecca’s heart quickened. Was he trying to tell her that he too was drawn to her much in the way that she felt drawn to him? It was such an inexplicable feeling, and Rebecca could not even find the words to truly express it, but a flicker of hope burned within her heart as she looked into his eyes, seeing both misery and happiness there.
“And what of your troubles, Lord Richmond?” she asked softly. “Are they still as great as last evening?”
He nodded. “Worse, in fact,” he told her. “But I shall not bring them to your attention, Lady Rebecca. What I will say is that I do not feel I can be in your company in such a way as this very often, even if I find myself all the more eager to do so.”
Her lips curved into an immediate smile as Lord Richmond looked away, seeming a little self-conscious. “You mean to say that you wish to further our acquaintance?”
Lord Richmond sighed and raised one hand to his eyes before dropping it again. “I—I do, Lady Rebecca,” he admitted. “I find myself thinking of you often, and, even though we are not particularly well acquainted, I cannot help but...” Trailing off, he gave her a small, rueful smile. “I try my best to protect you, Lady Rebecca, and then the next moment, I do the very opposite of what I know would be best.”
“I am glad you do,” Rebecca told him, quietly, so that her sisters would not overhear—although, given the laughter that came from them, she did not think that they were even paying attention to her. “Are you able to tell me what troubles you so? I would be glad to do what I can to help.”
Immediately, Lord Richmond held up both hands. “I cannot,” he said firmly. “I will not. My troubles are not for your ears, Lady Rebecca. All I wish to do at present is converse with you as any other gentleman might.” His expression softened, and he dropped his hands. “To pretend that I have no other difficulties at present.”
Rebecca smiled back at him, for whilst this was not the resolve she had wanted, it was satisfactory to her. “Very well,” she agreed quietly. “Then let us converse, Lord Richmond. What is it you would like to speak of?”
He chuckled. “Books,” he said with a grin. “I have recalled the name of the novel I found so i
nteresting the first day we met, Lady Rebecca.”
“Oh?” Her hand reached for something tucked down the side of her chair, finding it and then quickly pulling it free. “Might it be this?” A laugh escaped her at the astonishment in his face, the way his eyes widened as she handed him the very book he had been about to mention. The conversation to her right lapsed for a moment, only to resume quickly as Lord Swinton continued the discussion with her sisters. Rebecca’s smile remained as Lord Richmond stared down at the book before lifting his eyes to hers.
“I have read it,” she confessed as Lord Richmond shook his head in evident astonishment. “I thought, mayhap, once you also have done so, we might then be able to discuss it together.”
“I see,” Lord Richmond murmured, still clearly astonished by what she had done. “That is very kind of you, Lady Rebecca. I am touched by your thoughtfulness.”
Her heart lifted. “Something to pull you from your current troubles, mayhap?” she asked gently. “A way to escape.”
Lord Richmond let out a long breath, nodded, and smiled at her again. “Indeed,” he agreed softly. “Thank you, Lady Rebecca. I am very grateful, indeed.”
The visit was over much too quickly, and Rebecca rose to her feet as the two gentlemen came to take their leave.
“Good afternoon, Lord Richmond,” she said, bobbing a quick curtsy. “I hope it will not be too long before we can speak so again.”
Lord Richmond opened his mouth as though he wanted to agree with her, only to lapse quickly into silence. Behind her, Lord Swinton was taking his leave of her sisters, and Rebecca knew she only had a few moments left with Lord Richmond.
“Perhaps you might call again,” she suggested, knowing that she was speaking much more boldly than any young lady ought. “Or we shall meet at the ball tomorrow evening?”
Sighing heavily, Lord Richmond dropped his head and then lifted it, looking back towards her. “We must be cautious, Lady Rebecca,” he said quietly. “I can make no promises to you. Society is still against me, and I fear what will happen to you should you be seen too often in my company.” A small smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “But yes, I should be glad to see you again at the ball tomorrow evening.”
