She smiled up at him. “So long as I have you, I shall be very content indeed,” she murmured, as they stepped apart to bow and to curtsy. “No matter what happens, my only happiness is to be found with you.”
19
It had been easy enough for Eleanor to steal out of the house. Her father would never suspect such a thing, and her lady’s maid, trusted as she was, had promised not to say a single word to anyone, although she had warned Eleanor not to do as she intended. The air was cool, the sky still overcast as she hurried a short distance down the street, seeing Lord Preston’s waiting carriage.
“My brother will be most relieved to know you are safe,” Lord Preston said, as Eleanor climbed inside, a little surprised to see not one but three gentlemen. “Now, we must hurry. Lord Howerton, Lord Wishart, this is Lady Eleanor. Lady Eleanor, my cousins.”
“I do wish that you would explain to me what the trouble is,” Lord Howerton muttered, his head leaning back against the squabs, his eyes closed. “I do not understand what this is all about.”
Eleanor, who had not been introduced to either fellow before, could only nod and then look out of the window, her hands clasping tightly in her lap. She did not dare speak intothe situation, did not want to say anything that might upset or confuse the two gentlemen. That was for Lord Preston to share.
“As I have told you, Howerton, this is to do with an unfortunate situation,” Lord Preston said, as Lord Howerton opened his eyes and looked at his brother, who, thus far, had remained silent. “A situation that may involve your family.”
“In what way?” Lord Wishart asked, as Eleanor glanced at Lord Preston, seeing him frown. “I do not understand.”
“There is time enough for explanation,” the gentleman replied, quietly. “Please, for the moment, I must beg of you to trust me.”
Lord Wishart nodded, and Lord Howerton closed his eyes again, leaning back and groaning lightly. “I would have much preferred to go home to my bed. I am exhausted, and still you insist on taking me on this ridiculous venture without any explanation!”
“Hush, brother.” Lord Wishart, his voice gentle but firm, filled the carriage. “Do you not recall that both Lord Preston and Lord Finchley spoke to us of late, wondering whether or not we had someone near to us causing difficulty?” He looked to Lord Preston as Eleanor watched on, her stomach knotting. “It is about that, is it not?”
Lord Preston nodded. “It is.”
“And whilst I am not a part of it directly, I wish very much to marry Lord Finchley,” Eleanor said, speaking clearly and thinking it best to explain her presence here. “We cannot do so until this situation is resolved.”
Lord Wishart’s eyebrows lifted, and Lord Howerton’s eyes opened again. “Then this is more significant than a mere carriage ride at dawn,” Lord Howerton said, sitting up again and frowning at her. “Forgive me for my lack of clarity. I am overtired and – ”
“And now you must do as I ask you,” Lord Preston interrupted, rapping on the roof to stop the carriage. “Come. We must step out, and then you must follow me to the park.”
“Hyde Park?” Lord Wishart asked, sounding surprised. “Why ever are we here at such an hour of the morning?”
Eleanor opened the door of the carriage without hesitation. “We must discover the truth,” she said, without further explanation. “We mustseeit for our own eyes.” Stepping out, she pulled her coat around herself a little more tightly and looked towards the entrance of the park. As yet, Lord Finchley had not arrived, which gave them time to hide themselves away. With a nod to Lord Preston, Eleanor hurried forward, ready to find a place where she might not be seen but could see all, hoping that both Lord Howerton and Lord Wishart would soon come to understand all.
I am so cold.
Shivering from where she stood behind a large tree, Eleanor kept her eyes trained on the marble arch that served as the northern entrance of the park. Thus far, Lord Finchley had set down his bag and then returned to his carriage, which had moved away just as quickly as it had arrived. Eleanor had watched and waited, wondering if and when he might return, but all the more curious as to who it was that would come for the bag.
She glanced to her right. Lord Preston was standing opposite her, with Lord Wishart and Lord Howerton nearby. There came the occasional whisper which, Eleanor prayed, would not be overheard by whoever arrived. This was the only chance they had to secure the situation, and if Lord Howerton or LordWishart continued to speak in such a loud whisper, Eleanor was afraid it would all come to naught.
There!
She caught her breath, her hands gripping the tree trunk as she saw the arrival of a hackney. Someone stepped out and, just as the sun spread its first few rays of light over the park, they stepped forward, bent down, and reached to pick up the bag.
“Emma?”
Without warning, Lord Preston strode forward, his cousin’s name bellowed from his lips.
“Emma, whatever do you think you are doing?”
Eleanor snatched in her breath, hurrying out from behind the tree as the lady in front of them all let out a cry of fright and stumbled back, turning to make for the waiting hackney. Lord Preston called her name again and broke into a run and, much to Eleanor’s relief, caught her by the arm.
“Whatever are you doing here?” Lord Wishart cried, as he too reached his sister with Lord Preston and Eleanor not far behind. “What is the meaning of this, Emma? You are meant to be – ”
“She is meant to be at home, abed.” Lord Preston stepped forward, his brows knotting. “Emma, how could you do such a thing?”
“Do what?” Lord Preston’s eyes narrowed, first at Lord Preston and then at his sister. “Emma, explain yourself!”
“I – I cannot.” The young lady’s eyes were filled with tears, her whole body trembling, but whether or not it was from the fright of being discovered or the anger of being found out, Eleanor could not tell. “It was Lord Wigton’s doing, I assure you. I am not at fault! He should be here, he is waiting – ”
