The Rogue's Reluctant Rose (27 page)

“I see,” she said, carefully schooling her voice. “Why?”

Though she sat in her seat with calm hands and an unreadable expression on her face, Mr Davies could not help but sense a new, coiled energy about her, as if she were poised for action.

“I’m afraid I simply couldn’t say, Miss Barrington,” he replied. “The gentleman did not explain.”

“I see.” She rose to go. “Well, I thank you Mr Davies, for your help. You cannot know the favour you have done me, and I give you my word that I shall never forget it.”

Denying having done anything significant at all, Mr Davies wished the young lady good luck and escorted her personally from the offices, handing her into the waiting hansom.

“Did you find out what you wished to know, Miss Minta?” asked Kitty, sounding very disapproving.

“Oh, yes Kitty. I believe that I have.” The girl looked pensively out of the window. As she tried to decide what to do next, she suddenly found herself very conflicted. Mr Davies had told her exactly what she had expected to hear, but now that she had heard it, she was no longer quite as certain of what it meant as she had been just a half-hour ago.

She had been so eager to take it as an obvious sign of his affection. He had paid her debt and had meant for her never to find out that it had been he who had helped her. The very man she and the rest of polite society had declared nothing but a ruthless scoundrel! She wondered what had prompted him to make such a grand gesture. She felt certain that there was good in him — more good, indeed, than the man would ever believe himself to possess.

She could not believe that the money had any sinister intention behind it, for he had never meant for her to learn his identity. His secrecy had been for her own protection. He had not wanted her to feel indebted to him, not wanted to use her family’s position for his own ends.

And yet, she had no way of knowing if it had been a gesture of love at all… Had it been pity? Or guilt? He had lied to her, after all, persistently and shamelessly. Perhaps he had come to regret it. Or perhaps it had been a gesture of farewell. Or an attempt to help the unfortunate sister of a dear friend. Maybe he did not even wish to see her.

She felt a sharp stab of fear and doubt. Clenching her jaw, Araminta pushed such thoughts away.

There was only one way to find out.

It could end up ruining her.

She found that she no longer cared.

***

Susan had been about to retire into the little garden with Lord Harris when she heard the commotion which signalled Araminta’s arrival. Her cousin flew into the room where they had been talking quietly, looking very wild.

Lord Harris rose in surprise and Susan jumped up also. Sensing that something important was about, Lord Harris excused himself into the garden as soon as he had greeted Araminta.

Susan looked her cousin over, her eyebrows climbing as she took in the wild hair and the slight redness of her eyes.

“Minta, what is the matter? I can see that you have been weeping,” said Susan quickly once they were alone, rushing over to hug her restless cousin. “You have not been the same since your return, and Lady Huston is quite right — you are not at all the happy bride-to-be. Why, I have seen you many times when you thought you were alone, looking as if you might begin to cry at any moment. Is it Sir Timothy?”

Araminta looked confused for a moment, before she began pacing the room. “Sir Timothy? Oh, no. But it is such a bumblebroth! I have made a big sorry mess of things, Susan, and I have only just learned of it.”

“My dear, what has happened? Had you a disagreement with Lady Huston?”

Araminta stopped pacing and looked at her cousin contemplatively. “I suppose, Susan, now is as good a time as any to tell you — I have broken with Sir Timothy. We are no longer to be married.”

Instead of the shocked reaction Araminta was expecting, Susan took a step back and regarded her frazzled cousin with narrowed eyes.

“Broken with Sir Timothy?” she asked carefully, checking Araminta’s pacing a second time. “How very sudden. You were discussing your wedding only this morning.”

“I was.”

“I can only assume that something happened when you were at the park to change your mind so drastically. I can see by the stubborn set of your jaw that you don’t mean to change your mind a second time.” Susan’s calm voice was making Araminta uneasy.

“I don’t,” she affirmed quietly. “You are right, something did happen at the park — I had a talk with Sir Timothy, which was very long overdue. We found that we simply would not suit.”

Susan nodded at this. “How curious. Because, of course, he is a very advantageous suitor, isn’t he? With his fortune and station.”

Araminta shifted uncomfortably. She had known her cousin her whole life, and they had always been very close. Susan knew very well how to read Araminta, and she felt a sense of dread in knowing it was a matter of time before her cousin had her all figured out. Susan could be terribly perceptive.

“His eligibility is as it always was,” she began her explanation slowly. “You know my reasons for marrying him, and perhaps we would have been content, but that is all it would ever have been. Only I found that I could not condemn him to a loveless marriage with me. It turns out that he is not my benefactor, and in the end I feel certain of his relief at being released from the match.”

Susan put a hand on her cousin’s arm. “I see. I think perhaps there is more to this than you are saying, my dear. But I shan’t pry. I own I never thought you were the sort of woman to marry without affection, though you seemed pleased with Sir Timothy until recently. I presume something has changed. Well, come and sit down before you begin to pace again. It makes my head spin just watching you. Tell me everything.”

Araminta let herself be drawn to sit next to her cousin onto the sofa.

“Lord Harris?” she asked.

“Will not mind waiting in the least. He is a very patient man — one of the qualities I admire the most in him.”

“More than his charm?”

“Perhaps,” Susan chuckled softly, before turning grave again. “Now, I know there is much more to your story than you wish to say. I would venture a guess that there is another man. Oh, don’t look so surprised. I know you very well, after all, and I also know the look of thwarted love when I see it.”

Araminta looked down at her lap, frowning. “You are very sharp. It’s a tangled mess, I fear.”

“Affairs of the heart always are,” Susan told her wisely, putting an arm around Araminta’s delicate shoulders.

“The man in question is not at all the sort I would ever have expected to like, let alone ever dreamed I would grow to love. But, Susan, I know now that it is he who has helped me, and that he intended that I should never find it out.”

“Then he must be a very good, honourable, sort of man.”

Araminta startled her by laughing at that, somewhat hysterically. “You would not be saying that, believe me, if you knew his name.”

“Ah, then he has somewhat of a reputation? But his reputation does not negate the grace his has shown by his actions — he must be much more than he appears. How did you come to love him?”

“I do not know. It simply grew over time. I don’t expect anything can come of making amends now, of course. He is not the sort of man to marry. But, Susan, we did not part on good terms, and I fear I said things to him which can never be forgiven!”

“Perhaps you have, though I am certain that whatever hurtful words you spoke to him, you had your reasons. I am also certain that you cannot know his heart — the only way you will ever truly know is if you speak to him.”

Araminta’s reply was interrupted by the chiming of the clock in the hallway. She leapt to her feet. “Three o’clock! Oh, Susan, I must see him now, today, before I lose my resolve and it is already getting late.”

“Then I shall go with you,” said Susan resolutely.

“If only it were that easy — I do not know where to find him.”

Susan rose also and put her arm through Araminta’s.

“Well, there I think my Lord Harris will be able to help you. Arthur is bound to know.” She looked at Araminta for permission, and when the brunette nodded at her, Susan proceeded to pull her out of the room and into the garden, where Lord Harris was admiring Lady Worthing’s gardenias.

“My dear Arthur,” Susan said, as the tall man turned to face them. “It so transpires that we need your help.”

“Anything at all, my love.” In two quick strides he was next to them.

“Araminta needs your help to find a gentleman with whom she must speak most urgently.”

“A gentleman?” Harris looked surprised. “Who is it, Miss Barrington?”

Araminta schooled her features, and made sure her voice would be steady before she spoke, clearly and confidently.

“It is the Marquis of Chestleton.”

Araminta wanted to sink onto the garden bench with relief when Lord Harris informed her that, not only was the Marquis of Chestleton back in Town, but that he had apparently taken to sequestering himself in his house for some reason unknown to anyone at his club.

“He emerged only once, you know, to go to his club, where he got terribly foxed and nearly called Lord Lovemore out over a lost game of cards. His friend, Captain Sunderland, pulled him away and drove him home. No one has seen him since.”

Araminta’s heart twisted with distress at the thought of Chestleton hurt in a fight.

“Oh, don’t look so concerned Miss Barrington. It was only a bit of a scuffle.” She could see he wanted to ask more, but a sharp look from Susan held back his tongue. “I daresay he is at his house now.”

“Then I must go there.”

“Go there!” the gentleman exclaimed. “Miss Barrington, you can’t mean that. You must know, surely, that Chestleton’s house is not at all the sort of place it is proper for a lady to visit. There could be a scandal!”

Araminta smiled ruefully. “I know, Lord Harris, and I thank you for your concern, but I’m afraid there really is no other way. Don’t worry. Lord Chestleton won’t do me any harm. It was he, you know, who took me in when I was ill a few weeks ago.” She noticed Susan’s disbelieving expression. “He has rented Dillwood Park. And he was very much a gentleman.”

She frowned at the dubious looks that met her assurance.

“Well,” said Susan with a sigh, “If you are certain, than we must trust you. I did not expect that it would be
him
. I won’t remind you of his lordship’s reputation, cousin, as I am confident you are well aware of it. I am also aware of what I told you earlier. He has done you a kindness, and perhaps that is proof enough that there is a part of him that can yet be inclined to propriety.”

Susan enfolded Araminta into a hug, and Araminta felt warmed by the other girl’s trust in her judgment. It gave her new confidence.

“Well,” said Lord Harris, watching the exchange. “This is all very perplexing to me and certainly unorthodox, but what man has ever been able to understand the minds of women? If Miss Barrington must go, then go she will. And I will drive her.”

Susan smiled at him as she and Araminta stepped apart, and for a moment it was as if they had entirely forgotten about the rest of the world.

“Oh, I do love you, Arthur,” Susan said softly. “I am very fortunate to have you.”

“The fortune is all mine,” insisted the gentleman. “And it will certainly be better for Miss Barrington and yourself if the coach seen alighting by Chestleton’s door bears the Harris crest.”

“I shall also go,” declared the future Lady Harris. “There can be no question of impropriety if we are both present, Arthur. And Araminta shall wear a veiled hat. I think, however, that we had better not tell Mother and Father of our destination.”

Their plan decided, Araminta hurried away to procure her veiled hat. She left Susan and her fiancé alone in the little garden, murmuring something that was lost in the sound of the gently bubbling fountain. Araminta was happy for them, but their obvious love for each other left her with a bittersweet feeling. Susan stood on tiptoe to kiss Lord Harris’s cheek in thanks just as Araminta disappeared back into the Worthing townhouse.

***

Lord Harris was a very good driver and he knew exactly where to find the Chestleton house, which was every bit as grand and tasteful as Araminta had imagined it. As they came to St James square and drew within sight of the house, Araminta surreptitiously wiped her sweaty palms on the skirt of her gown. For all her bravado and determination, she felt nervous. She knew that the next few moments would decide the rest of her life. She knew that she was risking having her heart more irrevocably broken than ever. She stared out ahead and would not be drawn into conversation despite Susan’s attempts to distract her. Araminta was certain that her friends could not but be aware of the anxiety which gripped her.

As they drew within sight of the deciding moment, Araminta had to steel herself, and bit her coral lip to stop herself from blurting out a request to turn back. Her heart was pounding in her ears like an erratic drum as the coach finally stopped outside the townhouse door.

Susan worriedly scanned Araminta’s face, which was marble pale except for the two points of colour on her elegantly high cheekbones. Her crystalline eyes were huge with anxiety and she was taking quick shallow breaths.

“Your moment has come, Miss Barrington,” announced Harris with an encouraging smile as Araminta’s shaking gloved fingers adjusted her veil. He handed the reins to the groom next to him and hopped easily off his seat before moving to help the ladies descend.

Araminta expected Susan to offer to take her home and forget the whole business. For one wild moment, Araminta hoped that she would. Instead, Susan flashed her a quick smile. “Be brave, my dear,” she whispered before taking her fiancé’s hand and descending from the vehicle.

Harris took Susan’s elbow and led her towards the house, and Araminta forced her legs to carry her after them. Her head spun, and she could not think what she would say to Chestleton when she saw him.

It was a while before anyone answered the door after Lord Harris rang the bell, and every second of that time felt like an eternity to Araminta. She fought the desire to faint dead away at the thought of Chestleton’s thunderous steel grey eyes receiving the words of her heart with mocking dismissal.