He set down his glass and stood up. “You need have no fear, ma’am. This duke of yours must take me for as much of a rogue as he is himself, to be sending Vergette to warn me off. Honour aside, I’d not drag Apple through the mire for all the world.”
Lady Luthrie gave him one of her rare and lightning smiles. “No, my dear Alexander, I know you would not. I am very sorry for Appoline. She is a sweet and talented girl, and one with whom I would have been glad to become better acquainted.”
By which measured pronouncement, Alex understood her to dismiss Appoline Greenaway from their collective lives. He balked.
“I’ve given my word, ma’am. If this is your mind, I’ll keep her in London, suitably chaperoned, until her birthday.”
Lady Luthrie flushed, and his father was on his feet. “There is no necessity to take that tone with your mother, Alex. Nor has she said she will not welcome Appoline’s presence. I make every allowance for your lacerated feelings, my boy, but that is going too far.”
Alex set his teeth, struggling with himself. His sire had ever been able to curb him with a word, but never had he felt so inclined to rebellion. With a sense of shock, he realised that his loyalties had altered. Apple now came first with him. On her behalf, he was ready to fight all comers.
Something of his thoughts must have shown in his face, for his father’s stern countenance relaxed and his smile was rueful. “I see how it is, my boy, and I sympathise. I had not recognised how badly you’ve been hit.”
A snort escaped Alex. “Much good may it do me, sir!”
“An unfortunate choice, as it turns out. But a worthy one, Alex.”
A lump lodged in Alex’s throat and he could not speak. Turning away, he crossed to the window, struggling to master his emotion. Difficult, when the image of Apple’s piquant little face with its large candid eyes and those kissable lips persisted in his head.
The butler saved him, entering at this inauspicious moment to announce that refreshments had been laid out in the small dining parlour. The prosaic announcement served to dissipate his distress sufficiently to enable Alex to follow the rest of the family out of the morning room.
He caught up with his mother in the gallery. “Beg your pardon, ma’am. Spoke out of turn.”
Lady Luthrie gave him a measured glance. “It is of no consequence, Alexander. I am not wholly ignorant of your distresses, my son, and can only wish for your sake that matters had turned out otherwise.”
“I wish so too, Mama, but it ain’t a particle of use wishing, is it?”
She laughed at that. “You must have forgotten how my wishes for your cousin came to fruition. Wish away by all means.”
Recalling how his mother’s intervention had been instrumental, though in a roundabout way, in securing the happiness of his cousin Justin and his wife Marianne, a faint thread of optimism lightened Alex’s gloom. He knew it to be futile, but he needed something if he must somehow hold his countenance in Apple’s company.
Chapter Twenty-three
The coach lurched over a rut, throwing Apple sideways so that she almost fell against Alex beside her. He turned in his seat, at the same time catching his arm about her shoulders to steady her. He set her back in her place.
“All right, Apple?”
“Thank you, yes.”
His arm fell away, and Apple felt an immediate sense of loss. In that brief instant, his strength protecting her from harm, she’d felt a flash of the erstwhile warmth there had been between them.
The cold penetrated more deeply with realisation and she huddled into her cloak, pulling the fur rug more securely about her legs. Weary and heart-sore, she turned her gaze upon the greyness beyond the window, where the passing scenery was becoming increasingly urban. “Are we nearing London?”
“It’ll be another hour yet.”
It was that distant tone again, and Apple all but shivered. Alex was changed in a way she could scarcely define. Oh, he laughed and smiled still, but it seemed forced. He’d not teased or barked at her either in his usual fashion. In fact, from the moment of his sudden arrival at Reddy’s cottage, with the horrid intelligence about Walter and Marjorie and his promise to take her off to Bow Street, Apple had felt a difference in his manner towards her. She recalled his baffled look when Reddy had said she could not make the journey.
“I’m sorry to disoblige you, Master Alex, and if weren’t for the rheumaticks taking hold, I’d do it. I’d be more of a hindrance than a help, for I can scarce take a step outside without my old bones aching fit to lay me low for a se’ennight.”
Apple had added her mite. “She can’t possibly come, Alex, and I wouldn’t dream of asking her. Besides which, I don’t know how Reddy will manage without me at this moment.”
The nurse had tutted. “There’s no call to worrit yourself about me, dearie. I’ve got young Joyce who comes in to clean, as you know. I can easy ask her to do those tasks you’ve kindly taken on, and Master Alex has no choice but to take you, that’s clear.”
Alex sat silent for a space, staring at Reddy. His gaze did not even stray to Apple, until his brow cleared. “What’s that you were saying last time, about some widow Reddy knew who might suit for your companion?”
“Mrs Tinkler?”
He turned instantly back to Reddy. “What’s her direction? I’ll go at once to ask if she can accompany us to London.”
