Sidney nudged him with an elbow and nodded after her. But it wasn’t his friend’s none-too-subtle prompting that had his feet moving. Miss Leigh glanced over her shoulder at the throng, her brows pulled low as she scoured the faces. For the briefest moment, he saw her features tighten, but then she hid the pain away beneath a blank facade and hurried off until she was hidden away from view by a copse.
Malcolm’s feet were moving before he even realized what he was doing.
*
Where had the time gone? Rosanna let out a sharp huff and lowered her head, refusing to meet anyone’s glance as she moved with all the determination of a soldier running to meet the enemy, following the tree line to where she wouldn’t be spied. If it would do any good, Rosanna would ask Mama to send for the carriage and accept this disastrous day for what it was.
Instead, she had to content herself with hiding.
Today had been such a perfect opportunity to do some truly good work, and what had she done with it? Heat boiled in her veins, burning her through. Foolish girl! Would she never learn? Was she so determined to remain that brainless chit who put her own desires first, wasting her time chatting and gossiping?
Oh, perhaps it had started as something nobler, for Mrs. Bracegirdle was such a dear and needed a little assistance, but the lady had quickly settled in with the group Rosanna had selected for her. Despite that, she’d remained at Mrs. Bracegirdle’s side, determined to gab away the afternoon rather than accomplish something of value.
Mrs. Nott always knew such delicious rumors, and Miss Crewe was so diverting in her observations, and Rosanna hadn’t been able to tear herself away. Perhaps the young lady’s words were a tad hard at times, but Mrs. Hubberts truly looked a fright in her gaudy turban; this was a picnic, not a ball! And the lady was so wretched at times. Rosanna’s blood still boiled when she recalled the horrid things Mrs. Hubberts had said about Prudence over the years.
But good people did not laugh at others—even if they deserved a setdown—and they did not waste their time gadding about when they had something of value to do.
“Miss Leigh,” called Mr. Tate.
The sound of his voice had Rosanna pausing just long enough to close her eyes and draw in a deep breath, though that was unlikely to do anything to improve her mood at present. Then, without looking back or responding, she continued on her path.
“I know you heard me, Miss Leigh.”
His voice was drawing closer, and Rosanna longed to outstrip him, as their last interlude had proven she could, but there were too many whispers about the two of them, and she didn’t wish to add to them by running away from him. However, that didn’t mean she needed to make it easy for him. So, she continued on her way, hoping to reach the bend in the path that would hide her from the picnic.
A hand at her elbow made her stop fifteen feet short of her salvation. With a sigh, she turned to face him.
“What is it, Mr. Tate?”
The gentleman’s brows rose. “I am here to ask you that very question, Miss Leigh.”
“After spending the past few hours ignoring me, now you deign to acknowledge me?” The question emerged before Rosanna had the forethought to consider the implications. Mr. Tate’s lips quirked up on one side at that. “Not that I wished for you to acknowledge me.”
“Of course not,” he replied in a tone that held so much laughter that Rosanna couldn’t stand it.
Whirling about, she tried to flee again, but Mr. Tate grabbed her by the elbow once more.
“Please, Miss Leigh. I didn’t come over here to twit you—”
“No, that was simply an added blessing.” Rosanna thought she’d kept her tone dry and disinterested, but Mr. Tate’s brows pulled together.
“I came to see what is the matter.”
She paused and glanced over her shoulder at the gathering. Good heavens. Had she just made a fool of herself in front of everyone? Need she compound her sin even further—
“I don’t think anyone else noticed your distress,” said Mr. Tate.
Her gaze snapped to his, her brows rising. Could the gentleman read minds? Then, as though to prove his preternatural abilities, he gave her a commiserating smile.
“Most of my life, I’ve been one of society’s darlings. I don’t think many people understand what a precarious burden that can be.” Mr. Tate scuffed the grass with his boot. “So many people are eager to see you fall and crumble to pieces.”
“It is not society’s opinion that matters at present,” replied Rosanna with a shake of her head. “It is my own.”
Chapter 24
Rosanna’s shoulders fell with a sigh. “I had a task to fulfill today, but I was more fixated on socializing than doing my duty. Now, Mrs. Rushworth is gone, and so is the opportunity for me to discuss my charity concert with her.”
The whole thing rushed out under its own steam, dragging forth more than she’d intended to say.
