Lady Be Good: Lord Love a Lady Series, Book 5 Page 26

  Only she’d been a lady, alone, and possibly injured. Rome’s urgent stride turned into a sprint and the houses and trees passed in a blur until he slowed for a hackney that was just turning out of the short block that was Culross Street.

  Desperate to see her, to know she wasn’t broken or terrified, or wallowing in despair, he pounded on the door of Lady Asherton’s townhouse.

  Mr. Chadwick opened the door promptly but appeared less than his unflappable self.

  “Miss Waring. Is she here?” Rome pushed his way inside but the butler was shaking his head.

  “You just missed her, My Lord. She left in a hackney not five minutes ago.”

  “Where was she going?”

  “She wouldn’t say, but she took a small valise and asked me to thank the countess for her hospitality. She also asked me to give this to you.” He withdrew a folded piece of foolscap from inside his jacket.

  Rome’s heart raced as he took the missive from the servant.

  “I tried to persuade her to await her ladyship’s return, but Miss Waring was most adamant.”

  The coach carrying Lady Asherton rolled up just then. If Rome had any idea as to where Rose was headed, he could go after her.

  Not taking the time to acknowledge the widow’s return, Rome stared at the handwriting on the outside of the missive. It was flowery and elegant, as one would expect any lady’s penmanship to be.

  Darlington.

  The handwriting continued, neat and even inside.

  My dear Lord Darlington,

  By now you must realize that I was right to refuse your proposal. I had begun to hope but… I don’t have time to go into that. I have set matters straight regarding your reputation here in London and in doing so left no doubt as to my lack of standing as a gentlewoman, or companion, or any such respectable person, now or in the distant future. It was all I could think to do when I overheard that you could possibly be hanged and I pray it is enough! I could never allow that to happen to you!

  Rome wished she was here so that he could shake her. He’d never been in any danger.

  I thank you for your kindness and your friendship. Please do not worry about me. Be happy.

  Yours most affectionately,

  Rose

  P.S. I believe Mr. Pierce is the person behind the rumors. Best to have a word with him!

  “Chadwick says she’s left.” Lady Asherton had entered and was studying him from across the foyer. “I’ll never forgive myself. Do you have any idea where she might have gone?” Her question echoed the one swirling around in his head.

  She could be anywhere, Land’s End, her parents. She might even have gone to her horrible aunt up north. Then again, it was possible she’d choose to remain in London.

  But where?

  Lady Asherton might as well be reading his mind. “You could chase around England searching for her, or we can send out inquiries. You’ll hate yourself if you’ve traveled all the way to Land’s End only to discover that she’s somewhere else.”

  It was sound advice, but he had to do something.

  “Wait in London a few days, and then go to your son at Raven’s Park,” the widow suggested. And then more tentatively, “Is it true she consented to marry you?”

  Lying wasn’t something Rome was accustomed to. He’d do what he could to protect her, though, and it was also his greatest wish.

  “She will.”

  “You love her?”

  “Yes.” All he could do was tip back his head and stare at the ceiling. “I shouldn’t have left Summers Park without her. Fool that I was, I thought I had all the time in the world.”

  “She will be found. She must be. Meanwhile, I’ll see what I can do about… her claim.” The widow winced as she spoke the words that were meant to encourage him. “We will find her.”

  “I’ll send messengers out tonight.” He nodded and turned to go. “You’ll tell me if you hear anything?”

  “Of course.”

  With one last glance up the staircase, remembering how she’d appeared only a few hours earlier, full of hope, looking like a princess… his princess, he made a vow to himself.

  He would discover where she’d gone. He no longer doubted that she loved him. Her actions, misguided as they were, had more than proven that.

  He’d kiss her senseless, lock her in a bed chamber if necessary, and then he would propose again. And this time, he’d not take no for an answer.

  But he had to find her first.

  Rose wriggled in the crowded seat, but it was not enough to deter the lady to her left from resting her head upon Rose’s shoulder. The gentleman on her right had his head tipped backward and was snoring loudly. If she were to guess, he’d eaten something spicy for his evening meal and hadn’t bathed in… weeks. She hugged her small valise to her chest and tried not to breathe too deeply.

  Tickets to travel on the mail coach to Bath had all been sold, but Rose had been lucky when one of the passengers failed to show.

  She would get off in Bath and travel the remainder of the journey to her father’s estate on foot. Once she’d made up some sort of excuse for not returning to Land’s End, she would make arrangements to travel north and hope that her aunt was still willing to take her on.

  Rose had run out of choices.

  She’d miss Penelope dearly. And Margaret.

  She dared not allow herself to think about Rome.

  When she’d arrived at Margaret’s townhouse, limping, Mr. Chadwick had wanted to call for a physician. She’d scraped her hands and knees when she’d landed in the dirt, and blood, along with mud, had stained the skirt of her gown.

  She’d begged him not to but asked that he call a hackney instead. She’d then rushed to her chamber and Beth quietly had assisted her out of her ruined gown and into a dress she could travel in. Rose appreciated the maid’s discretion but wondered if the woman was of the same mind as the Willoughbys’ housekeeper.

  She wondered if Beth, a lady’s maid herself, thought Rose presumptuous to dress up and pretend to be something she was not. Although Margaret and Rose had done their best to keep the deception under wraps, Rose was not so naïve as to think the servants were unaware. Domestics knew more about their employer’s personal details than they’d ever guess.

  After packing a few of the gowns Penelope had sent with her, Rose took one last look around her chamber but refused to allow herself to reconsider her decision. Margaret would return soon. She hadn’t any time to be sentimental or maudlin.

  It was over.

  She’d thanked Beth and then hobbled down the stairs. Distraught but determined, she rushed out the door, and climbed into the hackney Mr. Chadwick had summoned. The driver had merely nodded when she’d asked him to take her to the nearest posting inn.

  Only then did she allow herself to feel some relief.

  Her initial instinct had been to make the journey all the way to Land’s End, but she could not do that to Penelope. Penelope’s own reputation would be harmed if she were put in a position of defending Rose’s actions. Rose couldn’t allow that to happen. Penelope had children now. She had a family to consider.

  Rose would go to her parents and hope they wouldn’t turn her away.

  Staring out the nearest window, she could barely make out any passing scenery. Night had fallen long ago, and the moon was waxing.

  She’d met a woman once, who told her that a waxing moon was the time to let go of dreams, a time to rethink one’s failures, the direction of one’s life. How very appropriate.

  Rome had been a dream.

  Rose closed her eyes, knowing she would not sleep. Not amongst strangers.

  She wasn’t even tired. She nearly laughed out loud to think that she’d slept the day away in preparation for a night of dancing.

  Ultimately, Rose had been unable to go without leaving some explanation for Rome. She hoped he would be safe now. She’d left him a note explaining what she’d done. He would understand and hopefully not be angry with her.

/>   She’d made it so he could no longer consider marrying her. She wasn’t only an imposter but a fallen woman.

  The man beside her snorted and turned his head so that he breathed in her direction.

  The drive to Bath would be a long one. They would travel through the night and into the next day, leaving Rose with nothing but her thoughts to torment her.

  From the beginning, she’d known theirs could only be a passing affair.

  At Raven’s Park, she’d seen him with his family, with his son.

  It was in London where hope for more had taken root.

  Rose pinched the bridge of her nose. She’d allowed herself to imagine a future with him.

  That was the most painful of all. The fact that she’d allowed herself to believe she could have more.

  * * *

  The coach stopped twice throughout the night, once in Reading and then again at some inn in some unknown town. Passengers were barely given enough time to relieve themselves at either stop as the coach maintained a tight schedule. By morning Rose felt as though every bone in her body had been shaken loose. Her knee throbbed from when she’d landed on the ballroom dance floor, her eyes stung from lack of sleep, and her head pounded as though she’d spent the previous night imbibing lethal spirits.

  When they finally rambled into the bustling town of Bath, Rose wondered how it was possible that her physical discomfort had not failed to overcome the ache in her heart. Perhaps, she reminded herself, it would do so during the course of the long hike she’d make on her way to her parents’ home.

  Familiar landmarks had the unfortunate effect of reminding her of the bittersweet memories she’d made in this small town just a few weeks ago. She’d been befriended by a countess, frequented many of the shops, and even sat in the magnificent opera house to enjoy a world-class performance.

  Passengers adjusted their coats and bags and other belongings when the carriage jerked to a halt. Rose allowed the woman beside her to push her way out first and didn’t even complain when her toes were squashed in the process. She did not have the will to care.

  When the doorway was finally empty, she raised herself off the bench but then gasped. Her left knee nearly gave out beneath her when she’d put her weight on it.

  Gingerly, gripping the coach tightly, she barely managed to lower herself to the ground.

  No gentleman stepped up to assist her, rather the opposite, in fact. Posting inns kept busy all day and all night. A few of the fellows glanced at her curiously but more out of annoyance than anything else.

  She swallowed hard, limped a few steps, and thought of the small amount of money she carried in her reticule. After purchasing her ticket, she didn’t quite have enough to secure a room in one of the inns. If she was to avoid sleeping outside, in the open, she needed to make her way to her father’s house right away.

  After only a few steps, however, her eyes began to sting. This was not happening! A wave of nausea swept over her at the fearful idea of going without shelter overnight. She’d had complaints as a maid, but she’d always had a roof over her head. How was she supposed to run away from her troubles when she could barely walk?

  Then she glanced up and believed that at last, she’d completely lost her mind. Her lack of sleep must have impaired her eyesight. For standing near one of the coaches preparing to load was a man she didn’t think she’d ever see again.

  Viscount Darlington.

  Rome.

  Chapter 28

  Change of plans

  The man turned his head and Rose’s heart began to beat again. It was not Rome after all. This man was younger. She blinked her eyes a few times. It was Wesley! Moving with the same cautious swagger of his father, holding his head in that certain way that was so very… Rome.

  Just as others in the line in front of him began to board, he glanced up and caught her gaze. He tilted his head and winced. Perhaps he experienced the same mixture of sheepishness and disbelief that she did.

  But what was he doing? He was leaving?

  “Wesley!” She lifted her hand and, forgetting her knee for the moment, made to step toward him and would have collapsed if he hadn’t rushed along the walk to assist her. She felt awkward, embarrassed, and a number of other unpleasant emotions. None of those mattered so much, however, more than the sad realization that Rome’s son had been waiting to board a public coach to leave town.

  He, too, was running away.

  “Miss Waring.” He’d caught her with one arm and practically carried her to a nearby bench. “What are you doing here? You are injured? My grandmother told me you went to London.” His confusion warred with his concern. And then, most surprising of all… “You cut your hair.”

  He’d been leaving his new family. She was certain of it.

  She wasn’t sure what to tell him. “I hurt my knee.” He must have noticed that she carried a valise with her. He himself, had a pack slung over one shoulder.

  “Where is Lady Asherton?” He craned his neck around. But of course, any proper lady would not have traveled alone!

  Oh, bother. She hadn’t the energy to make anything up.

  “I’m ruined, Wesley. It’s a long story but… I couldn’t remain in London any longer.” She wasn’t sure why she would tell him any of this, and yet somehow, she felt he might understand. “Were you leaving them, Wesley?” The coach he’d been about to board was pulling out into the road just then. “Where were you going?”

  Something in her honesty apparently spurred him to answer in kind. “I’m not like you, Miss Waring. With your fancy manners, and clothing. Not to mention the rules... And Mr. Pierce assured me it was only the beginning. All of it is just… too much.”

  Rose frowned and shook her head. “But they love you! All of this must be very difficult, but you must know that the Spencers are not like other titled families. There is something special about them.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Why didn’t my father want me before then?” Rose could hardly bear the pain in his voice, he looked so very much like Rome.

  “But he did.” She must convince him. “He wanted you the moment he knew of your existence. But your grandparents had already been raising you and they convinced him it would be better that you remain with them.”

  She knew he heard what she told him. He didn’t look at her though, he merely sat looking forward, in that same sightless way his father did on occasion. “I am his mistake, his bastard.”

  “You are his son. The circumstances of your birth matter only to him in that he wishes he could give you more. This torments him! He told me at Christmastime that he intends to do everything in his power to make up for it.” She could not help but add, “He loves you and nothing will ever change that. He will be so very sad if you leave, Wesley. You must believe me when I tell you this.”

  The young man’s throat moved, as though swallowing unwanted emotion. And she quite understood. She found herself nearly in tears as she tried convincing Wesley to have faith in the only man she would ever love.

  As she willed the boy to believe in Rome’s goodness.

  As she considered that Rome truly did not care what Society thought.

  He did not care what society thought…

  If this was true, then why would she leave him? Rose blinked away the confusion her thoughts evoked. What mattered right now was convincing Wesley to return to Raven’s Park.

  “It appears that you have missed your coach. Surely, you didn’t walk all the way from your grandparent’s home?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “I hitched a ride with Mr. and Mrs. Winston. Does my grandmother, her ladyship, know you are coming?” At Rose’s expression, his eyes widened. “She does not, does she? I do hope that you were not planning on walking all the way to Raven’s Park. You’ll not get far on that leg.”

  He thought she was on her way to Raven’s Park!

  “I…”

  “Did you say you were ruined?” He’d suddenly pinned his scrutiny upon her. “Did they find
out that you’d pretended to be Lady Danbury’s maid?”

  She wished to hug him at that moment. “Oh, Wesley, I am Lady Danbury’s maid––her lady’s maid. It’s the other way around. I pretended to be… a gentlewoman.” She not so much smiled as she winced.

  He narrowed his eyes at her, and she realized that this young man saw far more than he let on. With a somewhat regretful look in the direction his coach had disappeared, and then a glance at his pack, Wesley exhaled loudly. “Well, if you and I don’t want to walk all the way back, we’d best locate the Winstons before they finish with their shopping.”

  He was going to return to Raven’s Park.

  “You will not abandon Lord Darlington just yet, then? You will give him a chance?”

  He dropped his gaze at her question. “Ever since I can remember, my grandmother told me… I’m not sure what to think any more… I’ve always believed he didn’t want anything to do with me.” His brows furrowed and he tilted his head. “He told you about me at Christmas?”

  Rose nodded reassuringly. “He was anxious to go to Wales. He was determined to bring you home with him.”

  “My Aunt Natalie said no one knew I even existed until I arrived from Wales.” A light dawned in his eyes. “You’re the one who wouldn’t marry him. He told me about a lady he loved who wouldn’t marry him and I thought that was Lady Asherton, but it was you, wasn’t it?”

  “He cannot have meant it,” Rose protested before realizing that she was confirming his suspicions.

  “Just like he didn’t want me?” His eyes narrowed at her.

  Rose pushed herself off the bench, ignoring the pain. “Let’s locate the Winstons, shall we?” Apparently, she would not be seeing her parents and brother that evening. She was going to have to explain everything to Josephine.

  “Do you love my father, Miss Waring?” he persisted.

  “It’s not that simple.” How was it she was having this conversation with Wesley Creighton, of all people?

  “If you married him, would I have to call you Ma?” He laughed at his own joke, and Rose couldn’t help but smile at such absurdity.