Page 29 of A Rogue to Forget

“You will go stay elsewhere or I will move in here.”

Her mouth fell open and then, to his consternation, she laughed. “Henry, do not be like this. Please go home. I am not your responsibility. You never said why you came by today?”

The question took him by surprise. Swallowing past the lump that formed, he cleared his throat. “Because I care deeply for you. How can you ask?”

She looked down, her gaze traveling then to the doors. “I need to ask that you stop coming here. There is no need for it. Not only am I not your responsibility, but also, I believe we are becoming overly attached for which the only outcome will be hurt feelings. You and I cannot continue such a close friendship.”

Obviously, she was distraught and unable to form clear thoughts. Henry let out a harsh breath. “I will speak to you tomorrow when you are more settled.”

She stopped him from walking out with a hand on his upper arm. “No. You will not speak to me unless we happen upon one another at Felicity’s. Do not return here.”

When he met her gaze, he saw that she actually meant it. There was pleading in her expression, the depth of her emotions visible by the trembling of her bottom lip and welling of tears.

“Why?” was all he could formulate.

“Because I must protect myself. People have surely noticed your regular visits. Although I am not of your social stature, the gossips notice you and are already beginning to murmur about your visits. Besides, any assignation with me and all that happens will harm any chance of you finding a proper wife.”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t until he mounted that Henry realized he’d left without the usual hug or kiss to the temple.

“Mister Campbell.” A constable approached, his gaze going to the front of Hannah’s house and then to him. “How is Miss Kerr this morning?”

“Unsettled,” he replied and then dismounted. “Were you who saw the person leaving her house yesterday?”

The young man shook his head. “No, I work during the day only. I was told it was a tall person.”

“Could it have been a woman?”

The young man shrugged. “I suppose, but we think a man.”

“Thank you.” Henry mounted again and rode away, unsure if he was prepared to face his mother and yet another unpleasant situation.

*

“The Stewarts aredemanding action on your part to repair the damage done by your actions last night,” his mother said as a way of greeting. “This must be seen to immediately. You must propose.”

Henry stood in the doorway looking into the parlor where his mother set a stack of correspondence next to her. “I will not marry a woman who purposefully attempts to entrap me. It was her who acted and kissed me.”

“You are a strong virile man, how can you possibly be accosted by a slip of a girl? Honestly, Henry.” His mother shook her head. “It is time for you to settle. We cannot hope for a better match.”

“I will speak to the Stewarts if you wish me to. I will explain to them that I will not be proposing to their daughter and offer my apologies. That is all I will do.”

“Henry.” His mother stood and walked to him, her gaze direct. “What exactly are you waiting for?”

The question was unsettling. “I will marry whom I choose and not because of circumstances that were an obvious ploy. I am not fully sure you were not involved in this plan.”

His mother rolled her eyes. “There is no malicious plan at play, just your active imagination. You will pay a visit to the young lady and set things right.”

Chapter Nine

Hannah was giddy with excitement when the man Henry had recommended finally left with a cart full of furniture. He would return for a few pieces she preferred he repair.

The amount he’d paid was decent. Thanks to Marta, who’d haggled with him and gotten almost double what he’d first offered.

“Here.” Hannah handed Marta a handful of notes. “Thank you.”

The woman’s eyes widened at the amount, her mouth falling open. “For me?”