Reentered, to be precise, though he could scarce remember her from years ago except for her height. She presented a great deal better in dark colors than pastels, but perhaps the improvement also came from maturity. She’d grown into herself, as some did, men and women. Others outgrew a youthful glow to become more ordinary as they aged.
He’d been heading toward Albemarle Street, but changed direction. He must visit Ariana.
•••
Ariana felt in danger of one of her sick headaches. She’d not suffered one for months, but then despite her anxiety over Boxstall, her life had been orderly. Until now.
Her decision to wait until Kynaston arrived had not silenced anyone, and soon Lady Cawle and her mother had been joined in a chorus of disaster by a Mrs. Scottand a Lady Jerome, who were apparently bosom bows of her mother’s.
Ariana hadn’t paid close attention to her mother’s comings and goings in Town, but it seemed almost a betrayal that she now had old friends who felt entitled—obliged, even—to come to support her in her time of trial. Especially when both ladies clearly believed every word of the scandal. Tired of protesting her innocence, Ariana retreated to her room to take off her outdoor clothing and tell Ethel what was going on.
As Ethel removed the hat, she said, “So someone can print lies in a newspaper and everyone believes it?”
“So it would seem.” Ariana rubbed her aching head.
“Oh, dear,” Ethel said, and took over, massaging the base of Ariana’s skull.
“That’s wonderful, thank you.”
“It’s a long time since you’ve had one of your headaches.”
“This situation is enough to make a Stoic ill.”
“And it’ll make no difference if I tell the world I was there the whole time? Crazed, it is. You two didn’t even touch!”
“You can tell them, and some will believe it, but you know that horrible saying—there’s no smoke without fire. It’s Kynaston’s damnable reputation that’s to blame. If I’d been there with Churston or Sellerden, no one would believe it for a moment.”
“You say he’s gone to speak to the newspaper. He’ll sort it out.”
“I hope so. He might make it worse, though.”
“How?”
“Murder the editor.”
“He’s not insane.”
Is he not?Ariana managed not to voice the query,but Kynaston was unpredictable and could act wildly, and even now could be making everything worse. She wished he would come to report his actions.
At last a maid came to say that Lord Kynaston had arrived.
Ariana rose to go, but then said, “Come with me, Ethel.”
“To the drawing room?”
“Why not? You’re a witness.”
“Lady Cawle’s probably still there.”
“I need you, Ethel.”
“Very well, then.”
When they entered the room, Ariana’s first look was at Kynaston. He looked grim but not wild, and her feet took her to him, whether she willed it or not.
He took her hand. “How are you?”
“Shocked.”Especially at the magic of your touch.
