Mistaken for a Rake: A Regency Romance (Landon House Book 1) Page 12

  “As would I,” Lady Hayward replied, pressing Rebecca’s arm in consolation. “But do not give up hope as yet, Lady Rebecca. There might yet be a way.”

  “I thank you,” Rebecca answered, truly appreciative. “I always believed I would wed a gentleman out of nothing more than sheer practicality. However, you showed me an entirely different way of thinking, and I am truly grateful to you for it.”

  Lady Hayward laughed. “Even though it has caused us both a good deal of difficulty?”

  Rebecca could not help but chuckle. “Yes, even then, Lady Hayward,” she answered with a smile. “I am very grateful, indeed.”

  The evening had gone very well thus far, but Rebecca had not seen any sign of Lord Richmond and had to confess that she was somewhat disappointed. He had said he would be here this evening and yet appeared to be either absent or delayed. Lord Swinton was present, of course, and whilst he had greeted her and engaged both her and her two sisters for a dance each, he had not made mention of Lord Richmond. When Rebecca had asked him if he knew where Lord Richmond was this evening, he had shaken his head and apologized that, no, he did not know. However, the way that he had not looked into her eyes made Rebecca wonder as to whether or not he spoke the truth.

  “You are not enjoying the dance, Lady Rebecca?”

  Rebecca gave herself a slight shake, realizing that she had been distracted in her dance with Lord Swinton and giving him an apologetic smile.

  “Forgive me, Lord Swinton,” she said, her words stalling for a moment as they moved away from each other in the dance before coming back together again. “It is only that I am concentrating hard on making quite certain not to make a mistake!”

  This seemed to appease Lord Swinton, for he smiled and nodded feverishly as though he wanted to both sympathize and encourage.

  “But of course,” he said as she stepped away again, ready to be turned by another gentleman. “I quite understand.”

  Rebecca made to reply, only to be suddenly pulled back as something tugged at the bottom of her skirts. With a cry, she stumbled back and practically fell into the gentleman behind her—the gentleman who had accidentally trodden on the back of her gown. An ominous sound of ripping caught her ears, and she cried out again as the gentleman caught her and helped her back to her feet, apologizing profusely for his mistake. Rebecca regained her composure as quickly as she could, her face rather pink with both embarrassment and the exertion of dancing.

  “Lady Rebecca!” Lord Swinton was beside her in a moment, their dancing set quite ruined now by what had occurred. “Let me escort you back at once to Lady Hayward.”

  Much to her relief, the music came to a close, and the remaining dance sets thanked their partners and began to step away from the floor. Taking Lord Swinton’s proffered arm, she made her way back to Lady Hayward, who was now watching her anxiously.

  “I am quite all right,” Rebecca said quickly as Lady Hayward reached for her. “Another gentleman has torn my hem, however.”

  Lady Hayward did not even look at the gown, however, quickly thanking Lord Swinton, who took his leave as though he were the one who would be blamed for such an accident. Rebecca thanked him and then turned back to Lady Hayward, a wry smile on her face.

  “I must hope there is a parlor of sorts that can help with this,” she said as Lady Hayward nodded.

  “There is, my dear,” she said, although her eyes darted back towards the dance floor. “My lady’s maid is there. Although your sisters have only just left my side to dance the cotillion.” Her brow furrowed. “Might you wait?”

  “I am sure I can make my way there and then return to you,” Rebecca replied, not wanting to linger with her embarrassment of having her gown ripped and torn. “It is not far?”

  Lady Hayward hesitated, looking from Rebecca to her sisters and then back again. “It is just there,” she said eventually, indicating a door that was only a short distance from Rebecca. “That door leads you to a hallway, and to your immediate right is the correct door.” She bit her lip. “I will have a footman accompany you, I think. You will return at once?” Beckoning to a nearby footman, she quickly explained what she required him to do.

  “Of course,” Rebecca promised, following after the footman and quickly hurrying through the guests and towards the small parlor. Pushing open the door, she was relieved to find Lady Hayward’s lady’s maid coming towards her at once. Indicating the rip to her gown, Rebecca sank down into a waiting chair and let the maid take care of her gown.

  “There you go, miss.”

  Rebecca looked down at her gown with both satisfaction and relief, glad that the maid had been able to assist her. “Well done,” she said, barely able to see where the rip had been and noting how a blush came into the lady’s cheeks as she stood with her hands clasped tightly in front of her and a small smile on her face. “You have done very well. I will make certain to tell Lady Hayward of your hard work.”

  “Thank you, my lady,” the maid replied, leaving Rebecca free to rise to her feet and make her way from the room. Stepping back into the hallway, she saw the footman waiting for her, his back towards her as he looked out at the guests. Rebecca was about to make him aware of her presence, only for something to catch her attention.

  She could not quite say what it was—a sound, perhaps, a creak or a whisper—but whatever it was, Rebecca turned her head and frowned. The sound came again, a quiet laugh that echoed down the hallway towards her, and, instantly, Rebecca knew she should not linger. She ought to tell the footman she was ready to return, ought to inform him that she needed to go back at once to Lady Hayward. After all, had she not promised that she would do so? Her heart quickened within her as she heard a low rumble of a voice come down towards her, her cheeks heating furiously as she lingered, unable to explain why she stayed so.

  “Come now, Richmond.”

  The words were a little clearer now, and Rebecca stiffened, her whole body frozen in place, her mouth a little ajar from where she had been going to speak to the footman. Lord Richmond was behind her? And just whom was he with?

  Her heart still pounding furiously in her chest, Rebecca turned on her heel and began to make her way up the hallway. She knew very well that she was not doing as Lady Hayward had asked, knew she should return at once, but the mention of Lord Richmond’s name had thrown all sense from her. The door behind her opened, admitting a few ladies into the hallway who all went into the small parlor, their voice echoing up towards her and permitting Rebecca to hurry forward without her footsteps being overheard. The hallway split to the right and to the left, and Rebecca slowed her steps, not certain where she ought to go.

  And then she heard the voice again.

  “Lady Kensington, I have done all that you asked.”

  Her eyes closed, and Rebecca pressed herself against the wall, fear and dread clutching at her heart.

  “I know, but there is still more that must be done,” she heard Lady Kensington say, her voice dripping with honey. “You cannot turn away from me now, not after all you have done for my sake.”

  Rebecca shuddered, not wanting to think about what such a thing might mean. Lord Richmond had told her he was free of guilt, that he had not done as the ton whispered, but was she wrong to believe him? From what she heard, it seemed that she had been quite mistaken. Turning blindly, she hurried down the hallway and back towards the footman, tears beginning to blind her vision.

  “Take me back,” she whispered, the footman turning around quickly, evidently surprised she was there. “Take me to Lady Hayward at once.”

  The footman nodded and made to step forward, only for Rebecca to hear someone calling her name.

  “Lady Rebecca?”

  She half-turned, only to shake her head and gesture for the footman to step forward.

  “Lady Rebecca, please!”

  Recognizing Lord Richmond’s voice, Rebecca blinked back her tears and turned around and looked at him, keeping her head high and her chin lifted.

  �
�Lord Richmond,” she said, aware of the tremor in her voice. “I thought you absent this evening.” Her eyes narrowed just a fraction. “But it seems you were otherwise engaged.” Her throat began to ache as she held his gaze, seeing how he looked at her with wide eyes, perhaps only now realizing that she had overheard something. They stood there for a long moment, with neither one of them saying a word. Tears began to flood back into Rebecca’s eyes, and she blinked them back with effort.

  “Lady Rebecca, I—”

  Behind him, Rebecca suddenly saw Lady Kensington emerge from around the corner of the hallway, moving forward slowly towards them. As she drew nearer, Rebecca saw that there was a small, cruel smile cross her face. Her stomach dropped, her heart twisted painfully, and she turned away from Lord Richmond, no longer able to look at him.

  “Please, Lady Rebecca!”

  His hand caught hers, but she did not even look back at him. Instead, she wrenched away and walked back towards the footman, who quickly led her towards Lady Hayward. Rebecca did not look back, her heart aching and her eyes burning with tears. She had been wrong. She had been entirely mistaken. Lord Richmond was not who she believed him to be, was not the sort of gentleman she ought to have given her heart to. Lady Hayward had been correct to pull her away from him, and yet she had been the one to insist upon it.

  Little wonder that Lord Swinton would not look at me earlier when I asked him about Lord Richmond’s presence, she thought to herself as the footman presented her back to Lady Hayward, who was now standing with Lady Anna and Lady Selina. He must have known that he was with Lady Kensington.

  “Your gown looks quite perfect,” Lady Hayward said with delight as Rebecca blinked rapidly, trying to recall why she had left Lady Hayward’s company in the first place. “My maid has done very well.”

  “Yes, yes,” Rebecca murmured, her mind feeling dull and heavy as she saw Lady Hayward frown. “I said I would inform you that she had done such an excellent fix, Lady Hayward. I am very pleased with it.”

  “Lady Anna?”

  A gentleman came to join Lady Anna, bowing and requesting her hand for this dance. Another came for Lady Selina, and Lady Hayward smiled and nodded, gesturing for them to take their places on the floor.

  “You are not engaged for this dance, Lady Rebecca?” Lady Hayward asked as Rebecca looked back at her, her thoughts still muddled and her heart still painful. “Your card?”

  It took a moment for Rebecca to lift her arm and pick up her dance card. “No,” she said, a little relieved that she would not have to pretend that all was well to another gentleman. “No, I am not.”

  Lady Hayward stepped closer and put her hand on Rebecca’s arm. “Lady Rebecca, what is wrong?” she asked gently, looking into Rebecca’s face. “Something has happened, has it not?”

  A single tear fell from Rebecca’s eye, and she brushed it away quickly, not wanting Lady Hayward to see it—but it was much too late.

  “Oh, my dear,” Lady Hayward said softly. “Might you be able to keep your composure until this dance is completed? We can return to your father’s house at once.”

  Rebecca shook her head, knowing just how disappointed her sisters would be. “There is no need,” she said hoarsely. “I will be myself in a moment.”

  Lady Hayward eyes continued to search Rebecca’s face. “I do not think you will be recovered in a moment,” she said gently. “But if you wish to stay, then I cannot prevent you. Although I do think we should return home if you are upset, Lady Rebecca. To remain here could bring difficulties with it.”

  “You speak of the ton,” Rebecca said, dropping her head and forcing her tears back with an effort. “You think they will notice my upset.”

  With a small nod, Lady Hayward took in a deep breath and let go of Rebecca ‘s arm. “Your sisters will understand, Lady Rebecca. The gentlemen on your card will accept the notion that you have a headache or some such thing. There is truly no need to remain.”

  But Rebecca shook her head again, quite determined that she would remain. Lord Richmond would not chase her from this place, would not be able to see her hurrying from the assembly because of his actions. No, rather, he would see her dancing and enjoying the remainder of the evening, even though it would be nothing other than a pretense.

  “It is Lord Richmond,” she said, managing to speak without too much difficulty. “I saw—overheard him speaking with Lady…” She could not speak her name. “Lady...”

  “I know who you refer to,” Lady Hayward interrupted, her face now tight with anger that Rebecca had not expected. “Then it appears that he is not as we both believed.”

  Rebecca swallowed hard and looked away, feeling the ache return to her throat as she fought desperately to keep herself entirely composed. “It appears so, Lady Hayward.”

  The lady closed her eyes and let out a long, slow breath. “Then it is little wonder you are upset,” she said softly. “My dear Lady Rebecca, I am truly sorry to hear such news. Are you sure you will not return home?”

  Taking in a steadying breath, Rebecca set her shoulders and nodded. “I will remain,” she said with as much firmness as she could. “And from this moment shall do my utmost to forget entirely about the Marquess of Richmond.”

  Lady Hayward made to say something, only for Lord Swinton to suddenly appear, bowing his head before he fixed his gaze to her face.

  “Lady Rebecca,” he said hastily as Lady Hayward began to frown. “There is something I must tell you. Something that Lord Richmond has kept from you.”

  “With all due respect, Lord Swinton, now is not the time to be speaking to Lady Rebecca of Lord Richmond,” Lady Hayward interrupted, but Lord Swinton shook his head, his jaw working for a moment. Rebecca did not know what to think, a little surprised at the fervent look in his eyes.

  “It is not as you think, Lady Rebecca,” he said urgently. “Please. Just spare me a moment of your time and I will explain all.”

  Rebecca took in a deep breath and saw Lady Hayward’s dark frown, aware that everything in her wanted to refuse, wanted to tell Lord Swinton that she did not want to know anything more about him. But a tiny flicker of hope ignited in her heart, and, despite herself, she gave him a small nod.

  “Go on, Lord Swinton,” she said, her voice a little hoarse. “Say what you must, but do not expect me to believe it.”

  Lord Swinton’s relief was palpable. “Thank you, Lady Rebecca,” he said quietly. “I hope that, by the time I have finished, you will find yourself considering Lord Richmond in an entirely new light. In fact, I am quite certain of it.”

  Chapter Eleven

  A shudder ran through Jeffery as he saw Lady Rebecca hurrying from him. Lady Kensington had demanded his company almost the moment he had arrived, showing her husband a small hole in her gown that she had to have repaired almost at once. Without any other choice, Jeffery had made his way after her, only to hear yet more demands of his time and the efforts that had filled him with such anger, it had burned at his heart.

  Only for him to hear footsteps scurrying away from where he and Lady Kensington stood. His eyes had caught sight of a lady with red curls tumbling down her back as she hurried back towards the door, and in his heart, Jeffery knew who it was.

  Lady Rebecca.

  “What a shame!” Lady Kensington exclaimed, sounding quite distraught even though Jeffery knew that such sentiment was entirely devoid of her character. “Although it seems as though I will no longer be able to hold her over you as a threat.” A small smile curled about her lips. “Even though I can tell that you care for her.”

  Jeffery could not reply to her, his words sticking in his throat as he saw Lady Rebecca hurry back into the crowd. He wanted to explain, wanted to have the opportunity to tell her what had been discussed between himself and Lady Kensington, but knew she would not accept him. He had seen the look in her eyes, had seen the pain ripple across her face as he had caught her hand. There was no simple way to tell her the truth about it.

  “That doe
s not matter, however,” Lady Kensington cooed, turning around to face him and ignoring the other ladies who were coming in and out from the small parlor to his left. “You have only one more thing to do for me, and then it shall all be at an end!”

  “I will do nothing more for you,” Jeffery bit out, his eyes slowly traveling towards Lady Kensington’s face and finding that his anger was burning with such fury that it was difficult for him to contain it. “You have done enough, Lady Kensington.”

  “I have done very little!” she protested, smiling at him as though they were great friends. “You have been very willing thus far, Lord Richmond, and such willingness must continue. There is, as I have said, only one small matter remaining. And I will inform you of it tomorrow morning, by letter.”

  “I will not read it.”

  “You will.” Leaning a little closer, she set her cold, hard gaze to his. “Just because Lady Rebecca has seen us conversing does not mean that I cannot have her thrown from society for good. Do you really wish to allow that to happen?”

  Jeffery dropped his head, his resistance gone. Lady Kensington laughed softly, clearly aware of her victory. She reached out and squeezed his hand before making her way into the parlor herself without so much as a glance back towards him. Jeffery remained precisely where he was, his whole body tight with fury, his anger burning hotter than it had ever done before, although his heart pounded and ached with pain. He wanted to rush in after Lady Kensington, to grasp her arms and shake her until she realized that he was not going to go about her bidding any longer.

  But he could not.

  There was one last thing for him to do. One last request that Lady Kensington was to put to him. And then, it seemed, it would be at an end. He could not quite understand why it would be so, what had changed for her to decide that he would be free of her grip on his life, but Jeffery did not care. It was too late. Lady Rebecca had already seen him conversing with Lady Kensington and had come to the worst possible conclusion.