Fanny hesitated. She wanted to lie and tell her mother that he was a rake, for if she did she knew the matter would cease, but she could not portray Jonathan in such a dark light when there was no truth to it. “No. He was a perfect gentleman.”
“Then what is the problem, Fanny? Why have you severed your association with him so abruptly?” She paused. “Are you starting to have feelings for him?”
Fanny turned away from her mother’s perceptive stare. This was the question she had been dreading, for how did she answer it? Could this mess of emotions inside of her be attributed to something deeper than guilt?
She let her head fall into her hands. “I... don’t know.”
Her mother squeezed her arm. “In that case, don’t you think you should make sure where your heart lies, instead of ignoring it entirely?”
“What good would that do?” Fanny stood abruptly and began to pace the room. “You know Lord Castleford is not suited to life in Cornwall, nor would he be content with a woman like me.”
“And what does that mean?” her mother countered. “Surely you’re not suggesting that you aren’t good enough for him?”
Fanny swallowed. “He’s the son of an earl and accustomed to the city, whereas I haven’t even been to London. I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to act in polite society.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Fanny. If Lord Castleford cares for you as much as you seem to care for him, the rest will fall into place.”
She picked at a stray string on the cuff of her dress. “It doesn’t matter any longer. I... misjudged him terribly, and I fear he won’t speak to me.”
“And he won’t,” her mother agreed. “Unless you give him a chance. Try to talk to him. It sounds as if you owe him that, at least.”
With a kind smile, her mother walked back to the stove, leaving Fanny to consider her words. Moments later, she gave a sigh and grabbed her bonnet and pelisse from a hook near the door.
***
NEARLY A QUARTER OFan hour later, as Fanny was walking the road to the manor, she heard the steady drum of hoof beats behind her. She turned around to see a gentleman reining his mount to a halt. The sun temporarily blinded her, and for a moment, her heart began to race, thinking that it might be Lord Castleford. But as the man tipped his hat to her, his identity became clear.
She stiffened as he offered a wide grin.
“Miss Grouseman, is it?”
While some might consider Mr. Robert Linneman charming, or even handsome, with his strong jaw and aristocratic features, especially her youngest sister, Agnes, Fanny had never particularly cared for him. Not only was he a revenue officer sent to patrol the area for smugglers, but he had a certain manner about him that made her uneasy.
“Indeed, sir,” she offered the briefest of curtsies. “If you’ll excuse me—”
She turned to go, but he rode up beside her. “Might I give you a lift to your destination?”
Fanny shook her head. “No, thank you. It’s a lovely day, and I prefer to walk.”
“A lady who enjoys fresh air and a bit of exercise,” he murmured. “I like that.”
She didn’t reply, just kept walking. She hoped that he might take the hint and leave. Instead, she heard the saddle creak as he dismounted.
His presence became tangible as he walked up alongside her, leading his horse. “I believe I’ll join you for a bit, if you don’t mind.”
Fanny offered him a tight smile, for she couldn’t very well refuse without appearing rude, and if there was one man whom she might do her best to distract from what would be transpiring on Saturday night, less than a week from now, it was Mr. Linneman. He was the largest danger to Polperro — and her father.
“Where might you be going on such a pleasant afternoon?” he asked politely enough, but she heard the edge to his voice. No doubt he was growing annoyed that his time in Cornwall had yielded no arrests after nearly three months.
She yearned to tell him to mind his own business, but she reluctantly admitted, “I was on my way to Killigarth Manor.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Indeed. I wasn’t aware you were on such intimate terms with Sir and Lady Marwood.”
“It’s actually Lord Castleford that I mean to call upon. He’s been giving me a few dance lessons in preparation for the ball.”
He eyes slowly raked over her form, causing Fanny to feel as if she was exposed, even though she was fully clothed. “I can’t imagine you should need any assistance with the waltz, but if you are need of tutoring, I would be more than happy to help—”
“Surely you don’t mean to imply that Lord Castleford’s abilities are lacking, Mr. Linneman,” Fanny interrupted sharply.
