“Safe from your brother?”
“Safe from folly of any sort. So, whereismy mother?”
There was only one public room uninvestigated, so Ariana crossed to the small reception room. Her mother was there, with the Hatchards and two gentlemen Ariana didn’t know, all in good spirits. Ariana hadn’t seen her mother so relaxed and happy since before her father had died, and she backed away. “I dislike asking her to leave.”
“Then why don’t we follow precedent?” Kynaston said. “You can write her a note to explain, and I can escort you home.” Ariana very much liked the sound of that, until he added, “With one of Peake’s maids for propriety.”
“Very well. It may lead to my mother being escorted home by one of the gentlemen. And perhaps, being of advanced years, they won’t feel the need of a chaperone.”
It came out tartly and she didn’t mind. She was feeling positively sour. She returned to the library and found paper and pen in the desk there. She wrote the note and then gave it to a footman to be handed to Lady Langton when she emerged from the room.
Soon she was on her way in a hackney with Kynaston beside her, but a middle-aged maid opposite. The woman seemed to be enjoying time away from her duties and she obligingly looked outside all the way. Ariana and Kynaston could have held hands, shared meaningful looks, and even kissed. But they sat straight, looking forward, and kept silent.
What was there to say other than piteous arguments from her that they surrender to love? Ariana was grateful to be saved from that indignity.
Chapter 14
At the house he climbed out first and handed her down; then he went with her to the door. She didn’t have a key, so she used the knocker.
“I’ll be perfectly safe now,” she said, wanting this painful time over.
He simply waited, and then the footman was opening the door. But he looked behind her. “The countess isn’t with you, milady?”
“No. Is there some problem?”
“A note came from Lord Langton, milady, to be given to Lady Langton on her return.”
Norris wasn’t home? He could have gone on to a club or various other amusements, but an unease crept through Ariana. She went into the house and said, “Give it to me.”
The door closed behind her, but Kynaston was at her side. “I’m sure it’s nothing,” she said to him, and turned to take the note. She broke the seal and opened the paper.After a moment she said to Kynaston, “Come into the library.”
He gave her that distressingly wary look, but then he told the footman to tell the hackney driver and the maid to wait a few moments, and went with her.
She gave him the note and the shocking news. “My brother and your sister have eloped.”
“What?”A rapid read told him all that she knew. “With your companion as gooseberry? Did you have any part in this?”
“No!”
“You are in urgency to have your brother married.”
“Not like this. And with your sister so young, it’s outrageous!”
“I’m glad you agree on that at least. They can’t be more than two hours on the way. I’ll overtake them.” He’d crushed the paper in his fist.
Ariana ran to be between him and the door. “If that letter tells the truth, this is your fault, not his! Dragging your sister off to a ramshackle house and forbidding her all communication!”
“Delacorte isnotramshackle. It’s Phyllis’s home and she’s too young for London, as has become clear. As for communication, I merely banned it for three months. That wouldn’t have killed them.”
“Clearly you don’t remember love.”
“I remember the insanity of it. There’s a purpose to chaperones, though I doubt your Miss Burgis will serve the purpose.” He stalked toward her. “Move.”
Ariana was instantly reminded of that time in his bedroom, when she’d commanded him out of her way, but she didn’t budge. “No. I won’t let you kill my brother.”
“I won’t kill him, but you won’t delay me to help his devilish plans.”
“I must come with you.”
