It appeared to Raoul that she endured rather than enjoyed this attention. The desire to remove her from his cousin’s suffocating affections invaded his breast. Really, Angelica’s presence would drive them both into a frenzy. He made up his mind.
“All the more reason to be discovering what the devil Maskery meant by thisinterestand some shadowy trustee.”
He spoke in a bracing tone and was rewarded by light coming into Miss Temple’s features as Angelica released her. She rose from the sofa and confronted him.
“My lord, I will be glad of your escort, but pray let us go in your curricle as planned.” She turned to Angelica. “Before you say it all again, hear me out.”
“Oh, go on then. But I won’t be talked out of coming along.”
Miss Temple caught her hands. “Truly, there is no need for it. You are leaving Town in any event. If any even remember me, they will suppose I have gone with you. You may so inform the Latimers at least.”
“Well, yes, I could, I suppose.”
“Besides which,” she added, releasing Angelica, “I am not so ignorant as you suppose. Remember I have had to do with young girls for years. In an open carriage, with a groom up behind, there is no impropriety.”
“True, but you will be obliged to stay at an inn together.” Angelica’s gaze flicked to Raoul and then back again. “You cannot say there is no impropriety in that.”
“It will scarcely matter at Middenhall. Who is to know me?”
Angelica gave one of her indelicate snorts. “They may not know you, but Lynchmere is a very well-known figure. It only needs for one sighting to be reported and the fat will be in the fire.”
Raoul took a hand. “There is no need for all these heart-burnings. If necessary, I can instead take her to Ruscoe Hall, where she will be chaperoned by Miss Wimbush.”
Angelica opened her eyes at him. “To your home?”
“Why not? If I am to judge by Savernake Forest, the place is well within reach of the Hall.”
“A good fifty miles or more. You will scarcely manage it within the day.”
“Nonsense. It is nowhere near that distance to Lambourn, and the Hall is a few miles beyond that. A couple of hours’ journey only.” He read a retort in his cousin’s eye and continued smoothly, “If we must needs stay on the road, we will find an obscure village inn.”
His cousin snorted. “That is no guarantee. You’ll be on the main Bath road.”
Raoul sighed. “Very well, but you’ve said it yourself, Angelica. No one will know Miss Temple, even if they recognise me. Therefore they will have no reason to question her presence in my company.”
“Except to suppose she is something less than respectable.” She threw up her hands. “Well, do as you wish, then. But don’t blame me if you are compelled into an unlooked-for path by the consequences.”
Raoul had no difficulty in interpreting this cryptic utterance. He ignored it, hoping Miss Temple might not catch the significance. “Then it is settled. Can you be ready to leave at an early hour tomorrow morning, Miss Temple?”
Buoyed for the first couple of stages by a sense of excited anticipation, Felicity soon found doubts creeping in. Was this wise? Ought she rather to leave well alone? Although had she a choice, now that her former life was closed to her? She huddled into her cloak, forcing her attention back to the passing countryside and the gloved hands holding the reins.
“Are you cold, Miss Temple?”
She looked round at his lordship’s profile. “No, indeed. I am quite comfortable.”
“There is a thick travelling cloak under there if you should need it.” Without taking his eyes from the road, he dipped his chin towards the seat below them.
“Thank you, but the rug will suffice for the moment. My cloak is warm enough.”
She made no mention of the stuff gown she was wearing beneath it. One of her old school gowns, of a dull brown, made unfashionably high to the throat, but of kerseymere and thus warmer than any other she had. She had donned it as more suitable for the journey, in preference to those Angelica had purchased on her behalf. Or rather, Lord Lynchmere had, he having been billed for them. Both the new gowns had fortuitously arrived just before dinner last evening. Angelica had insisted on providing her with a portmanteau to replace the battered valise, despite her protests.
“Good heavens, child, we must have a dozen of them in the box room. Take it. I never wish to see it again.”
All her worldly goods were now disposed inside, including the new clothes, with the exception of Henrietta’s gown, which she had begged her hostess to return with thanks. She would not be more beholden than she need. She had bidden Angelica a somewhat tearful farewell and been chided for it.
“What, are you weeping? For heaven’s sake, why? It is not as if we will not meet again. I made Raoul promise to bring you to me at Cherry Lodge when you are done with this quest of yours.”
“But, ma’am, I cannot trespass upon your kindness any further.”
