She jumped, whirling around to face me. “Arabella! Where have you been?”
I linked my arm through hers, walking as quickly as I could toward the entrance of another garden path. “I cannot do it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I cannot ensnare him tonight. We mustn’t go through with the plan.”
Kate’s delicate brows lifted. “What changed your mind?”
I bit my lip.
Her eyes darkened menacingly. “It wasn’t Clark Campbell, was it?”
“He wants to obtain a loan and repay Mr. Russell on Freddy’s behalf. He has promised me that he will try.”
Kate put a gloved hand to her forehead, squeezing her eyes shut. “How do you believe a word that man says?”
“I love him.” The truth behind the words settled deep in my heart, and I repeated it with more conviction. “I love him, Kate.I can’t ensnare Sir William tonight without knowing if Clark might succeed in obtaining the money.”
Kate’s disapproval was obvious, but something in her expression had softened. “You truly do love him.”
“I do. And I am fully aware of how stupid I am for it.”
A smile overtook her lips, but there was a sad twist to her features. “That certainly does complicate matters. Even if hedoesobtain the loan, how do you suppose he will pay it back? You will marry, and the two of you will be destitute for years.”
My spinning thoughts settled, and I realized that she was right. I had only been thinking of the immediate solution to the problem of the forged note. Two thousand pounds would take a very long time for a new solicitor to repay. The hope in my chest faded into a wisp of smoke. “I am still going to try to court Sir William. But I cannot ensnare him yet.” I shook my head fast. “If necessary, we might enact our plan a different time.”
Kate exhaled slowly, looking down at the grass. “I’m afraid I’ll be unable to assist you at any later date.” She met my gaze, her eyes heavy. “I am leaving Bath tomorrow.”
I gasped. “So soon? Why?” She had mentioned returning home to be with her husband, but I hadn’t thought she would be leaving so abruptly.
“Mr. Ollerton has called me home.” She twisted her fingers together in front of her. “I cannot refuse him this time.”
“Is something amiss?”
Kate shook her head. “He has not shared the details…only that the matter is urgent.” She took my hand. “I wish I could stay and see this all settled for you.”
My entire body felt limp and weak. How could I do this without Kate? She had been my instructor, my confidant, and my dearest friend throughout my entire stay in Bath. “I understand. Thank you for all you have done to assist me. Idaresay I have relied far too heavily on you. I must learn to manage on my own.”
Kate’s eyes glistened. “Oh, Arabella. You do far too much on your own already. But Clark Campbell is your confidant now. I hope he will lead you and Freddy to safety.” She paused. “I hope he can achieve what I could not.” Her smile was pained, but she wrapped her arms around me. I held her tight, a lump forming in my throat.
“You were wise not to fall in love,” I muttered over her shoulder. “It is quite a helpless feeling.”
Kate pulled back, a weak smile on her lips. “I believe that is why it is referred to asfalling.I should rather like to descend gracefully.”
I reflected on her words. Perhaps that was what would happen to me and Sir William. If he did propose to me and we married, I might eventually learn to love him. “Have you? With Mr. Ollerton?” I asked.
Kate hesitated. “It might be easier if he didn’t call me away from my friend so suddenly.”
I managed to laugh, even despite all the nerves in my stomach.
“But I am not leaving until tomorrow,” Kate said in a firm voice. “I can still help you find Sir William tonight.”
I thanked her with a smile, and I resolved not to look in the direction of the white bench by the hedges ever again. If I saw Clark, I might lose what little strength I had left. With Kate as my guide for the last time, she led me in a circle around the perimeter of the grass until we spotted my target.
CHAPTER 28
CLARK
