“Lancelot, come here,” she spoke harshly at the dog. The poor thing looked quite confused but did her bidding. Choosing to ignore Chance, Aubrey turned to the two elderly ladies who had created this debacle. “I’d love to chat but I’m in a dreadful hurry. I have… I’m late for an appointment. I’m so sorry…” She did not wait for a response, rather, but spun around and marched off in the direction from where she had come, dragging a reluctant and perplexed Mr. Dog behind her. But no, she’d called Mr. Dog, ‘Lancelot.’ In honor of his horse, Guinevere, perhaps? The thought gave him a smidgen of hope.
Lady Zelda and Lady Longewood stared after her in surprise. “Well, I never! What’s the matter with her, do you think?” This from Lady Zelda.
Lady Longewood had been a little more observant, however. “Youareacquainted with Mrs. Bloomington, are you not?” She asked Chance. It was rather like being chastised by a rather formidable aunt. She frowned then, looking him up and down. “And why are you dressed in rags?”
Only Chance didn’t have time to remain for their questions either. He needed to go after Aubrey. He needed to begin to explain. “Please, ladies. I’m not yet here in London officially,” he spoke from over his shoulder. “I’d appreciate it if you could keep this to yourself? I’ll make a visit later and explain everything, but for now…” He waved and took off at a run before Aubrey could get too far.
At first, he’d thought she was returning to her house, but she was nowhere to be seen in either direction along the sidewalk. Even walking briskly, she could not have gone so far as to be out of sight. Chance glanced to the left. She must have entered the path leading into the trees.
He hadn’t intended to pursue her like this but found himself taking chase anyhow. He’d wanted to explain things to her in a calm manner, in a way that she would understand he was not the monster he seemed at the moment.
Not only had his identity been exposed, but the fact that he’d been married. Despite the heat of the day, he broke into a cold sweat.
Once he entered the thick trees, he paused, and swallowed hard. If he was not mistaken, the sounds coming from behind a rather large evergreen were sobs.
He stepped off the path and gazed at her with conflicted emotions. Just seeing her, being so near, initially sent his heart soaring. But just as quickly, it splintered, and a moment later, crumbled into a million pieces.
Gone was the carefree young lady who’d strolled happily toward the park just a few minutes before. He’d done this to her.
Aubrey stood leaning against the trunk of a rather large oak, her shoulders shaking.
“Aubrey,’” he spoke softly. He’d take her into his arms if only she’d let him. But of course, he could not.She would not. He was a stranger to her now. Worse than that, a bad memory from the past.
Before he could say anything else, she’d whirled around. “Stay away from me!” Her voice broke and tears swam in her emerald eyes
Chance didn’t move, afraid that she might bolt if he took another step in her direction. “I wanted to talk to you. I needed to tell you… things.”
But she was shaking her head. “You are a duke? You did not think to tell me that? And you weremarried? Why are you here? Why did you come back, now?” Her obvious confusion and pain struck sharper than any sword. “Do you not know how hard it has been for me to forget you? Do you not realize how difficult it has been for me to move on with my life?” She raised one hand to swipe at the tears now streaming down her face.
The hurt and confusion in her voice reminded him of the night he’d lost Mr. Dog. Only on this occasion, there was no relief at seeing him. Only accusations of betrayal.
And pain.
He wished now that he’d rehearsed what he might say if she spotted him. His mind searched frantically for anything that might calm her, that might not push her to hate him even more than she already did. With nothing else in mind, he decided on the truth.
Taking a deep breath, he began, “I wanted to come and talk with you, but not like this. I simply wanted to see you… Ineededto see you. But each time I thought to approach your dandy was in tow. When you were alone today, I followed you from your House.”
Her eyes widened in horror. “Dandy?” She raised a hand to her mouth. “You have been watching me? For how long?”
“Please,Princesse, listen to me.” He stepped forward and sure enough, as a broken moan tore from her lips, she lurched to escape past him. He couldn’t help himself, he grabbed hold of her shoulders. He’d wanted to touch her but not like this. Not tophysically restrainher.
“Don’t call me that!” Wounded, she cried. “You promised me that you wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye! You promised me. And then after… After… Let go of me!” But she didn’t have a whole lot of strength to push him away. Chance hated that she trembled beneath his touch.
But he couldn’t release her yet. “Please. Please, just listen to me.” And then he couldn’t help himself as he stared into eyes. “You’re as beautiful as ever. Please, Aubrey, just let me explain.”
“After two years?” she choked on another sob—a harsh, indelicate sob. “It’s a little late for that, don’t you think? You have to let me go. If I ever meant anything to you, please just let me go now!”
What in the hell was he doing? He squeezed her shoulders in an effort to convey… what? If only he could make her understand with a touch.
“I will let you go—for now. But hear me out. I will be near. I just need to… see you. So much has happened. I couldn’t tell you before but everything has changed now.” He blinked as he realized the truth in his words. “I had reasons. And I need to tell them to you. And once I’ve done that,Princesse, I’ll leave you alone forever if that’s what you want. I promise.”
By now she had jerked free of him and suddenly looked wild-eyed and even a little frightened. “It’s too late! Stay away from me!”
“I will stay in town until we talk. I’ll never be far away. When you’re ready, I will be waiting.” He would take up residence at Chauncey House. It was only a few blocks away. Now that his presence in town was known, there was no reason for him to remain at Hyde Park Place.
“A duke!” she practically spat the word.
“Aubrey.” But she was not about to wait around a second longer. Lifting Lancelot into her arms, she turned and bolted back toward the street. He was certain she’d go home this time.
