“Damnation!” he barked, “when it rains, it pours. I shall have to attend to this. My apologies, Penhaligon, duty calls.”
“Go and attend to your business, Ralph. Perhaps I can take His Grace on a tour of the gardens. Harriet, you may join us if you can spare the time,” the Dowager Countess declared.
Ralph looked at Harriet sharply, then glanced at Jeremy so quickly that he almost doubted he had seen the look.
“Very well,” Ralph said, rising.
He beckoned to Beecham, then whispered to him before taking his leave and striding from the room.
Now what wasthatabout? Even in the company of his grandmother, he does not trust to leave Harriet in my presence. Would it be the same for any gentleman? I do not know if I should feel affronted or not.
“Shall we then, children?” the Dowager Countess stood, having not yet touched the tea that had been poured for her. “I understand we are in for a spell of inclement weather, so we would be as well to inspect the gardens sooner rather than later.”
Jeremy cast a puzzled look at the windows, which showed a blue sky, unblemished by clouds.
“I will accompany you, Your Ladyship,” Beecham said, solemnly.
“There is no need, Beecham. If I require a strong arm to support me over uneven ground, I am sure His Grace can assist.”
“I fear I must insist, Your Ladyship,” the butler pressed while having the decency to blush. “His Lordship's instructions were… very clear.”
Jeremy caught the glance that passed between Harriet and her grandmother. The Dowager Countess gave a sharptskand turned for the door.
“Very well, if you have nothing better to be doing, Beecham. Come along. And if you must, then you may as well support me.”
The butler flocked to her side, offering his arm. Jeremy turned to Harriet and did the same.
“That leaves me to escort you, Lady Harriet,” he said with a courteous smile.
“I thank you, Your Grace,” she replied, taking his arm.
Jeremy was suddenly very conscious of her touch. He held her gaze for a moment, almost losing himself in those bright,emerald eyes. The raven mask had robbed him of a delightful sight, he realized. Her face was sublimely beautiful.
How can I use her so? I would have to be the worst kind of cad.
They followed the Dowager Countess and the butler out of the house and onto a path that bordered the neatly kept lawn. A man was scything it, sweat beading on his forehead even though the sun was barely above the tree tops. The Dowager Countess was walking so quickly that she seemed on the verge of breaking into a run.
Harriet, by contrast, kept her pace sedate, pointing out items of statuary or particular flowers or shrubs.
“I think my grandmother seeks to give us some privacy,” Harriet murmured when sufficient distance separated them from the pair in front. Beecham was looking back over his shoulder frequently.
“I see that,” Jeremy muttered back. “The two of you have planned this, then?”
Harriet shook her head. “I did not expect you to be here. She is merely taking the opportunity that Ralph's unexpected business presented. She did not know that we were...betrothed, until recently, when we were informed of the rumor by a neighbor. Neither did I, until that moment.” She shot him a sharp glare.
“Ah, yes,” he grimaced, “as to that. I must apologize. I was aware of the circulating rumors and did not do enough to quash them.”
“Rumors?” she declared incredulously. “You introduced me as your betrothed...”
“Which you went along with at the time.”
Harriet stilled, planting her fists on her hips and glaring at him.
“Because you had shackled yourself to me. I could not very well deny that we were betrothed, as the next thing that would be expected of me would be to walk away from the man who had told such a lie. And walk away was the one thing I could not do.”
Jeremy had to concede that point to her. Harriet suddenly looked around. Beecham was watching like a hawk. She glanced back at the house and then took Jeremy's arm again, resuming the walk.
“We must present the appearance of an ordinary couple promenading through a garden. Not a woman arguing with the man who lied about being her fiancé,” Harriet said crossly.
