by Joyce Alec
“Pray, do not worry, Miss Smallwood.” Lord Williamson stopped, sighed heavily, and turned to face her. “Might we sit for a moment?”
“Yes, of course.” Looking behind her, she saw a small wooden bench and seated herself on it quickly, smoothing her skirts and throwing a glance to her right, seeing that they were both in sight of the carriage. “As I have said, Lord Williamson, I did not mean to pry.”
“You have not,” he answered easily. “It is quite understandable that you should have such questions, when it is your companion that is urging you away from me.” Again, another sigh issued from his lips. “There is nothing in my past nor my present that should make Miss Martin believe me to be a cad or a rogue. That truth is there for everyone to see. I have never taken advantage of a young lady, nor have I lost myself in gambling and thereafter tried to escape paying what I owe. I have not treated anyone poorly, nor have I lorded myself over those less fortunate than I.” Shaking his head, he spread his hands, looking down at her where she sat. “I do not mean to boast, Miss Smallwood, but you must understand that I seek to clear my character and my name in your eyes.”
“I do understand,” Louisa replied hastily. “I just wish to understand why she thinks so poorly of you when there is no reason for her to do so.”
Lord Williamson shook his head again, his brows low over his eyes. “And she has said nothing?”
“No, she has not,” Louisa answered truthfully. “She gives me no explanation.”
Lord Williamson nodded slowly, his brows knotting as deep grooves lined his forehead. His eyes were turned away from her, as though he were considering something of great importance and deciding what it was he should do next.
“Then I can give you no explanation either,” he stated eventually, looking at her directly. “Your companion thinks ill of me and there is no reason for it, as far as I am aware. I wish I could tell you more, Miss Smallwood, for I do not want you to think poorly of me or to have questions about my character. If I could, I would ensure that your consideration of me was entirely positive.”
Her heart quickened at the sudden yearning in his eyes. “But it is, Lord Williamson,” she found herself saying, aware of the sudden change in his demeanor as she spoke. “What I mean to say is that I do have an entirely positive consideration of your character—thus far, at least.”
He looked at her steadily for some moments, not saying a single word. She took in the sudden lightness in his hazel eyes, the tiny lift in the corner of his mouth, and felt her heart quicken suddenly. A blush graced her cheeks, a blush that spoke of her heightened awareness of him, of the intimacy that seemed to grow with every beat of her heart. Mayhap she had spoken too openly or with too much conviction. Mayhap she ought not to have said a single word.
“You are most kind, Miss Smallwood.”
She swallowed hard. “I thank you,” she replied with as much sincerity as she could. “I speak of what is in my heart, Lord Williamson, that is all. I do not want you to think that talk of rumors will influence me.”
“Then you are most unusual,” came the reply, making her brows lift in surprise. “I beg you not to take offence, however, for I mean that you are one of the few to consider rumors, gossip, and the like to be precisely that—whispers that often have no basis in truth. You are one who would, I believe, not accept a rumor just upon hearing it but would then go and seek out the truth before making a decision.” Surprising her still further, he sat down on the bench and looked into her eyes. “I do not think, Miss Smallwood, that you would give someone the cut direct without being entirely certain that they deserved it.”
Louisa pressed her lips together, aware of how her stomach tightened and her fingers laced together. Had she ever been this near to a gentleman before? Had she ever seen such a look in a gentleman’s eyes before? She did not think so, for she would have recalled feeling as overwhelmed as she did at this present moment, she was sure.
“I—I should like to call upon you again, if I may.”
“Of course,” Louisa said at once, a thrill running up her chest as she saw him smile. “I would be glad of your company, Lord Williamson.”
“Good.” He held her gaze for another moment and then rose from his seat, offering her his hand. “We should return to the carriage. Miss Martin will not be particularly pleased if I should keep you out here for much longer.”
Louisa laughed, feeling the tension begin to drain from her. “I do not think she would be pleased with any length of time, Lord Williamson.” She accepted his hand, trying to ignore the way her heart thudded furiously with the touch of his hand on hers. “Not that such a thing matters to me.”
“No,” he answered, smiling down at her and, to her surprise, placing her hand on his arm so that they might walk together. “No, I am certain it does not and I am, I admit, rather glad of your consideration, Miss Smallwood.”
Louisa made to answer as a happiness began to bubble up within her heart, only for another voice to call out Lord Williamson’s name. She turned, her hand dropping from his arm as he let out a short exclamation of surprise.
“Lady Burton,” he said at once, bowing quickly. “Good afternoon! I—”
“Did you forget, Lord Williamson?” she cooed, ignoring Louisa completely. “I thought we were to meet some twenty minutes ago and as you can see, I have been patiently waiting.” She smiled and simpered in Lord Williamson’s direction, batting her eyelashes delicately.
Louisa tensed at once, not quite certain what this lady meant by suggesting that she was to meet Lord Williamson in the park, for surely Lord Williamson had called upon only her and would not have made another arrangement with someone else. She glanced up at Lord Williamson, seeing how a line formed between his brows as he looked back at the lady.
“I—I do not know what you mean, Lady Burton,” he said firmly. “I am sorry if you have made a mistake, but I have not made a prior arrangement to meet with you.” He gestured towards Louisa. “As you can see, I am currently walking with Miss Smallwood.”
Lady Burton trilled a laugh again, her perfect pink lips stretched into a wide smile that spoke of an understanding that, apparently, Louisa did not have.
“But of course,” Lady Burton murmured, her expression now becoming rather coy. “I quite understand.” She gave Lord Williamson a long look, her lips now curved in a seductive smile. “You must return to Miss Smallwood. Never fear, I shall not hold your tardiness against you.” Laughing, she turned away from them both, still having refused to give Louisa even a single look. “I shall be waiting precisely where we arranged, Lord Williamson, have no fear. I am nothing if not patient.”
The lady walked away from them both, leaving Louisa feeling utterly foolish and completely disregarded. Lady Burton, whomever she was, clearly thought that Louisa meant very little to Lord Williamson, for he was expected just to remove Louisa from his company and thereafter return to Lady Burton.
“Miss Smallwood, I must assure you that I did not make any arrangements with Lady Burton,” Lord Williamson began, turning to her with an expression of growing panic coming over his face. “I certainly did not tell her that I had any intention of walking with her in the park this afternoon.”
Louisa tried to nod, tried to smile, but felt her confusion grow so steadily that it was almost impossible to do so. “Of course,” she murmured, still not at all certain about what had just passed between Lady Burton and Lord Williamson. “I—I understand.”
“Quite where she got the idea that I was to walk with her today, I do not know,” Lord Williamson continued to protest, not moving an inch but rather continuing to stand in front of her. “I swear to you, Miss Smallwood, I would not have treated you with such disdain as to make arrangements with another lady of quality when I am meant to be solely in your company.”
Such was the eagerness in his eyes and the sound of desperation in his voice that, despite her own confusion, Louisa felt herself inclined to believe him. Quite how there could be such a misunderstand
ing, she did not know, but for the time being, she was content to accept Lord Williamson’s promise that he had nothing whatsoever to do with what had occurred.
“Shall we return to the carriage?” she asked, not wanting to consider the matter any further for the time being. “Look, I can see Miss Martin watching us both with her usual sharp eyes.”
This, it seemed, brought a small smile to Lord Williamson’s expression, his relief all the more evident when she accepted his arm once again.
“Thank you, Miss Smallwood,” he murmured, looking at her as though she had brought his every wish to life. “You are most understanding.”
Wanting to say that she did not quite understand everything that had just occurred but was willing to accept his word for it regardless, Louisa merely smiled and fell into step with him, walking quietly and quickly back to the carriage. Opening the door for her, Lord Williamson once more bestowed a warm smile upon her, which aided her reassurance all the more.
“Was that Lady Burton I saw talking with you both?” Miss Martin asked, the moment Lord Williamson had settled himself on the seat opposite Louisa. “She is that very rich widow, is she not?” A small, triumphant smile began to play about her mouth, but Louisa frowned back at her, not allowing her to grasp a hold of whatever victory she thought she held.
“I was glad to make her acquaintance, Lord Williamson,” she stated, even though Lady Burton had not so much as said a single word to her. “Thank you for such an enjoyable afternoon. I look forward to your next visit.”
Lord Williamson gave her a grateful smile whilst Miss Martin sank back in her seat, scowling. “A walk to the bookshop, mayhap?” he suggested. “Or an ice at Gunter’s, if the weather is fine?”
“I should be glad to do either,” she told him, throwing aside the last threads of confusion and doubt that held her. It had been a mistake, that was all. Lady Burton must have made arrangements with another and somehow thought it was Lord Williamson for whom she was meant to be waiting.
“Capital,” he replied, back to the easy, warm manner that she had enjoyed so much at the first. “Shall we say tomorrow? Or the day after that?”
Aware that Miss Martin was throwing angry darts in her direction, Louisa smiled back at Lord Williamson and let happiness fill her heart once more. “Tomorrow would suit me very well, Lord Williamson,” she replied contentedly. “I shall look forward to being in your company again very soon.”
“As will I,” he assured her, warmth in both his voice and his expression. “Thank you, Miss Smallwood. I have greatly enjoyed this afternoon and that has been singularly thanks to your excellent company.”
She blushed at the compliment and looked away, now more certain than ever that Lord Williamson had been caught up in a case of mistaken identity. He was genuine in his compliments and honest in his words, no matter what Miss Martin thought. She smiled to herself and looked out of the carriage window, seeing the London streets busy with ladies and gentlemen of the ton, all on their way to Hyde Park for the fashionable hour and feeling, for the first time in her life, a good deal of hope that she might, one day soon, walk these streets as a lady courted by an eligible gentleman. A gentleman like Lord Williamson.
7
“I cannot understand it!”
Daniel shook his head as he sat down in White’s, seeing Lord Townend gesture to a footman for a drink to be brought to them both.
“I have not seen Lady Burton in some time,” he continued furiously. “Whatever gave her the impression that I was to walk with her in the park, on the very same afternoon and at the very same time that I was to walk with Miss Smallwood?” He slapped one hand down hard on the table, the brandy in his glass sloshing at the impact. “It is most ridiculous.”
“Indeed,” Lord Townend murmured, looking at Daniel thoughtfully. “You say you have not seen Lady Burton for some time? Is that the truth?”
Feeling as though Lord Townend had slapped him hard across the face, Daniel felt his jaw jut forward, his brow lowering. “I am not inclined to mistruths,” he told his friend, seeing the flush of shame that immediately crept into Lord Townend’s face. “I am well aware that Lady Burton has a decent fortune, is widowed, and is inclined to share her favors, but I am not at all inclined towards her. Surely you know me well enough to understand that, Townend!”
“I do,” Lord Townend replied at once, looking a little ashamed. “Forgive me. The question was on my mind and I merely meant—”
“I have not spoken to the lady in weeks,” Daniel interrupted firmly. “I have not made any sort of arrangement with her. She has no interest in me, as far as I am aware. Therefore, I must try to understand why she thought I was to meet her in the park.”
Lord Townend twisted his lips, nodding slowly. “Did you return to the park once you had said farewell to Miss Smallwood?” he asked, to which Daniel nodded. “Did you try to explain?”
Daniel shook his head. He had not known what to do, for seeing the look on Miss Smallwood’s face as he had said farewell to Lady Burton had thrown him into a dither. The way she had nodded and tried to smile, had tried to pretend that what Lady Burton had said had not affected her in any way, had made his heart ache with confusion and frustration. “I did go back to the park, yes,” he admitted, recalling how he had hurried his carriage back towards Hyde Park, jumping out from it and wandering through it in search of Lady Burton. “But I did not find her.” It had been the fashionable hour by the time he had returned and so the park was practically filled with ladies and gentlemen of the beau monde, which had made it almost impossible for him to single Lady Burton out, but part of him was suspicious that she would not have been there anyway, even if the park had been practically empty. Something about it had unsettled him.
“It is most peculiar, I grant you,” Lord Townend replied, throwing back the rest of his brandy and then immediately ordering another. “So you were out walking with Miss Smallwood, did you say?”
“Yes,” Daniel replied distractedly. “But that does not matter. What concerns me is—”
“I should think it matters a great deal,” Lord Townend replied with a quick grin. “You were out walking with Miss Smallwood! That is excellent news.”
Daniel rolled his eyes, feeling his frustration begin to give way to exasperation. “Miss Smallwood accepted my explanation that there must have been some sort of confusion on Lady Burton’s part,” he replied quickly. “There is nothing to concern us there.”
“And you would not want Miss Smallwood to have a poor impression of you.”
Aware of what his friend was trying to squeeze out of him, Daniel spread his hands. “I am certain she does not,” he replied, seeing Lord Townend grin. “And yes, I am to call upon her again come the morrow, since no doubt you are eagerly going to ask me about such a thing in a moment.” He sighed as Lord Townend laughed, wishing that his friend would concentrate on what Daniel considered to be the much more important matter. “And yes, I consider her excellent company and I admit to looking forward to being with her again. There. Does that satisfy you?”
“Indeed,” Lord Townend replied with a wave of his hand. “You forget, Williamson, that I have not seen you in such a state before. You have never once shown much interest in a young lady of note.”
“That is because there have been none so open and none so interesting as Miss Smallwood before,” Daniel replied honestly, not hiding anything from his friend. “Young ladies often bat their eyes at me but care nothing for what I say or what my opinions are on any given thing. They see my title and fortune and nothing else.”
Lord Townend nodded slowly. “You believe she sees more?”
“I know it,” Daniel stated firmly. “She is interested in what I have to say, as I am in hearing her thoughts also. She is vastly different from the mostly insipid, rather vacant young ladies that have so often come close to me.” Feeling his exasperation begin to die away as his thoughts centered on Miss Smallwood, Daniel let out a long breath. “Pray do not mock me for
it, old boy.”
Lord Townend looked surprised, his eyes widening and his mouth slightly ajar. Catching himself, he began to bluster, shaking his head and stuttering for a moment.
“I would do no such thing, no such thing!” he protested vehemently. “I do not think it mirthful that one should find oneself caught up with a lady, Williamson! I am surprised you think it of me.”
Daniel shrugged. “You must admit that it is a state that neither of us have discovered ourselves in before.”
Much to his surprise, Lord Townend turned his head away, looking a trifle uneasy. Daniel sat forward in his chair, astonishment seeming to push him forward. “Do not tell me that you consider yourself to have been so caught before, Lord Townend!” he exclaimed as the footman put down two fresh glasses of brandy on the table between Daniel and Lord Townend. “That cannot be!”
Lord Townend cleared his throat quickly, reaching forward for his brandy so that he would not have to look Daniel in the eye. “I would not speak of it.”
“But you must!” Daniel replied, a sudden burst of excitement rushing through him. “Who is the lady? Have you spoken to her father? Is he amenable?”
Holding up one hand in silent protest, Lord Townend turned sorrowful eyes back onto Daniel, silencing him completely. The smile fell from Daniel’s face as he took in his friend’s demeanor, a little surprised to see him so downcast. He felt as though he had come very close to something dangerous, something that, if opened completely, would bring Lord Townend a good deal of pain.
