“Now?” Preston repeated as Rupert finished reading the note aloud. “The hackney is waiting now?”
“It appears to be. Whoever wrote this knew that both you and I were in Whites. They also know that my thought would be to send you after the hackney, which is why we have both been instructed to wait by the road for it to depart.”
“And if we do not?”
Rupert winced ruefully. “I think you can imagine, brother.”
Lord Preston scowled, anger burning in his eyes. “I do not like this, Finchley.”
“Nor do I, but what can we do?” With a resigned sigh, Rupert got to his feet and walked to the door, the money bag in his hand. He had taken it with him to Whites for safekeeping, having not expected to receive any sort of note! Glancing around him, helooked to his brother. “Did you see anyone looking over as I read the note?”
His brother shook his head. “No, I did not. That does not mean that there is not someone here responsible, however.”
“Indeed, it does not,” Rupert agreed, as they stepped outside. “But we are not to know them. Not today, at least.”
There she is.
Rupert could not help but sigh at the beauty that was Lady Eleanor. It was the height of the fashionable hour, and whilst he did not particularly enjoy being out in the vast crowd of people, to see Lady Eleanor present made it all worthwhile.
The two of you, alone together… is that not a wonderful future even in and of itself?
His brother’s words came back to him as he took her in, seeing the laughter in her eyes as she spoke to Lady Catherine. Could it be that he had been wrong to state that he would not come near to her until this threat had been resolved? Could it be that, even if all were to come to light, they might still be happy?
The smile on his face and the happiness in his heart both began to fade as he saw another gentleman approach her. The laughter on Lady Eleanor’s face died away also as she bobbed a quick curtsy, making it quite clear that she did not appreciate the gentleman’s presence. That in itself was a comfort to Rupert, but at the same time, he reminded himself that the gentleman now speaking with her – Lord Ashworth, if he remembered correctly – might very well be her future if he chose not to step in.
“Good afternoon, Lady Catherine, Lady Eleanor.” Rupert, having had no intention of marching forward, found himself doing that very thing as he greeted the two ladies. “And LordAshworth, is it not? Good afternoon to you also.” When Lord Ashworth bowed but then opened his mouth, Rupert continued speaking before the fellow could do so. “Might I beverybold and ask you both if you would accompany me for a stroll around the park? Lord Ashworth, you will think me very rude indeed, but a gentleman must take his opportunities as they present themselves, must he not?”
Lady Eleanor’s eyes brightened as her lips quirked. “How very forward of you, Lord Finchley.”
“Yes, indeed it is!” Lord Ashworth lifted his chin. “I do not think – ”
“But ofcourse,we shall oblige you,” she continued, taking his arm at once as Lady Catherine took the other. “Do excuse us, Lord Ashworth.”
Rupert walked quickly away from Lord Ashworth, a lady on each arm, and both of them giggling as he walked. He could not help but grin, fully aware that he had not done right but Lord Ashworth and had behaved very rudely indeed, but he did not care.
“I must hope that you are a gentleman of good character, Lord Finchley.”
Stopping short, Rupert looked over his shoulder, only to see Lady Cumbria following after them. His face grew hot as he released both Lady Eleanor and Lady Catherine’s arms, inclining his head as she drew near.
“I am always standing near to my daughter and my niece,” Lady Cumbria continued, her voice stern as if she were berating a child. “That was the height of rudeness, Lord Finchley.”
He took in a breath, set his shoulders, and looked straight back into Lady Cumbria’s eyes. “Yes, it was. I apologize for it, but I do not regret it.”
In an instant, Lady Cumbria’s expression softened.
“I strive to have an excellent character, Lady Cumbria, but there are times when that fails me,” he continued, as Lady Eleanor looked beseechingly back at her aunt. “I do hope that you will forgive me, but also that you will understand that my reasons for being as forward as that are solely because of my interest in your niece.”
Lady Cumbria smiled. “I am glad to hear it, Lord Finchley. Do you intend to speak to her father?”
A knot formed in his throat. “As soon as I am able,” he said, hoping that no explanation would be required. “I cannot do so as yet.”
For whatever reason, this seemed to satisfy Lady Cumbria. “Very well, Lord Finchley. I have been absent from society for a few days, but I have returned now and do intend to keep a close eye on my nieceandmy daughter. But if you and your brother are as good a character as has been said, then perhaps I have nothing to be concerned about.”
Lady Catherine immediately let out a yelp of embarrassment, no doubt at the mention of Rupert’s brother, but Rupert only smiled. It was quite clear to him – as it was to Lady Cumbria – that Preston was more than a little interested in Lady Catherine’s company. Soon, Rupert hoped, his brother would pursue her with a clear interest and, given what Lady Cumbria had said, there would be no unwillingness onherpart to allow that connection to continue.
“I thank you, Lady Cumbria.” With a smile to the lady, he then offered his arm again to both ladies, and they began to walk, relief and happiness settling in Rupert’s chest.
“I am glad to be able to walk with you, Eleanor,” he said, as Catherine waved hello to a nearby acquaintance. “I am sorry I cannot do more as yet.”
