Perhaps she’d simply slip out to the ladies’ retiring room and stay there until it was time to leave. There was no use meeting with Algenon now. She would only humiliate herself. Before she reached the door, however, supper was announced and everyone moved toward the rooms with large tables laden with food.
Lord Hamdon took it upon himself to convince her to sit with him and Mr. Fairchild, and Cindy’s pleading eyes were the nail in Javenia’s coffin. She fought down the tears that threatened and leaned into the fire building in her chest.
Halfway through the meal, she noticed Algenon glancing her way. How could he look so pleased? Was he so insensitive?
Her anger burned almost as hot as her embarrassment. She’d still meet with him at the appointed hour. She had a lot to say before she escaped to the country, and none of it would be fit for anyone else’s ears.
Chapter 22
The unseasonably warm weather made escaping to the small garden behind the house easier. At least Javenia had not needed to ask for her cloak from one of the footmen. She wandered to the far back corner to the Fortescues’ famed water fountain. To her surprise, it was still running even though most fountains had already been prepared for the cold December days.
It was not as elaborate as many claimed, its three tiers not reaching above her head, but the basin it drained into was at least ten feet across and two feet deep. She sat on the lip, careful to keep her dress from the chilly water.
The gurgling sounds of the fountain filled her ears, and she closed her eyes, allowing the running water to wash away her irritation so she could enjoy a moment of peace and solitude. She’d held up under scrutiny during supper, faltering only once when Lord Hamdon asked if she was all right. His concerned demeanor, opposite of the person he presented to Society, made her want to blurt out the injustice of the whole situation.
Here he was, a decent man who seemed genuinely interested in her, and all she could do is think of the man who apparently was not… at least according to what Lady Plum had revealed.
Javenia scowled, the peacefulness broken by her memories. When had Lady Plum ever done her a kindness? More than likely, she’d happily have shoved Javenia in a ditch if it meant she had a story to tell to anyone who would listen.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel path, and Javenia stiffened. The time had come. What she’d hoped would be a possible relief for her burdened heart would now be the ending of an era. It was time to put Algenon in her black books forever.
The full moon crept higher in the sky, making it easy to see Algenon as he approached, a full smile in place. His delight irked her. How could he be so happy after what he’d done? She turned away.
The light from several lanterns at the back of the house reflected off the water in the fountain, glowing like streaks of fire. Javenia stared at them for a moment, gathering all the angry words she wanted to hurl at him.
“It’s a lovely fountain.” Algenon’s words were unusually hesitant.
“It is small and unimpressive,” she countered.
“Maybe to some, but things do not have to be large to bring joy.”
She stood and faced him. “You are correct. Sometimes the larger the fountain the fouler it becomes, growing green moss below the surface and smelling rank even as it fills the air with useless noise because it cannot stop running its mouth.”
Algenon’s head jerked back. “Why do I get the feeling we are no longer speaking of fountains?”
“Were we ever?” She crossed her arms and stared at him.
He sighed and his shoulders slumped. “You are angry because I did not defend you against my father.”
Javenia lifted her chin, hoping her haute demeanor would convey her contempt. “And?”
“And what?”
“What else have I to be livid about?”
“Livid is a strong word, Vee.”
“Don’t call me that. You have no right. You are not my family, and you know how much I protect that right.”
He stepped closer and she stiffened. “You are right. I am sorry. I had no right to use your nickname, and I should have done something when my father told you about his presence the day of your—” he cleared his throat. “The incident with Penwick.”
She stepped back, heart pounding in her chest so hard it echoed in her ears. “What are you talking about?”
“At the Tower of London, I should have—” he stopped. “Wait, was that not what my father said?”
Javenia turned, blindly stumbling toward the house. The pounding in her chest had moved to her head, bringing with it a bout of nausea. She gripped her skirt between two fingers and furiously rubbed the material.
His father had been there? No wonder Lord Roberts didn’t want her to marry his son. He knew she was ruined and not in theory only. While Algenon had stopped the worst of things, no one would believe that she’d not encouraged Duncan, that she’d been opposed to his advances. No one but Algenon.
