Page 50 of A Courtesan Countess Worth the Scandal
Liam smiled. “I have thought of that, also. All you need do is discreetly change carriages in the Strand, where it is always crowded. Whoever is following you will continue to watch the carriage theythinkyou are in, while the other carriage takes you and your family out of London.”
He clearlyhadthought a great deal about it, which surprised her somewhat. After they had parted ways five days ago, she had assumed he would soon give up on his daily visits and eventually forget about her, but it appeared there was a sense of duty and responsibility within him that was stronger than she had realized.
“Won’t it be suspicious if you arrive at your Manor with a trio of strangers?” Nora could not pass for nobility, thanks to the faint note of an accent in her voice. These country individuals would surely realize she was not of their ilk, and that something was amiss, the moment they met her.
Liam shuffled further forward in the armchair. “I have thought of everything, Nora. For the sake of maintaining your anonymity, you may pose as my new wife. We can conjure a story on the way that will not be too hard to keep consistent. You could still be Nora, but you would be referred to as Lady Keswick by those at the ball, and I know that putting on a performance is well within your realm of expertise.”
Nora did not know what that was supposed to mean, but she did not believe he was intending to be insulting. After all, he had seen her switch from “Nora” to “Miss Black” in the blink of an eye, when his friends had interrupted their kiss.
“And my Sister and Mother?” She could hardly believe she was contemplating this insane idea, but the more she thought of Lily’s safety, the more tempting it became.
Liam smiled wider. “They can be as they are, though we will have to alter their surnames. Your mother will be introduced as your mother, and the same will be true of your sister.” He lowered his gaze slightly. “And I am certain that your Sister would find the countryside pleasant, with so many new sounds and smells and textures to revel in.”
“That is rather devious.” Nora eyed him with a half smirk of amusement. “You would use my darling, blind Sister in order to coerce me into agreeing to this outlandish plan?”
Liam blanched. “That was not my intention! I truly thought it might be a pleasant distraction for her. I meant no offense.” He paused, his eyes narrowing. “Are you… teasing me again?”
“You are beginning to learn.” She laughed brightly. “I know my Sister would scream with glee if she discovered she was being allowed to leave the city, though my Mother will take more convincing. She loathes the countryside, though I don’t believe she’s ever actually been outside London in all her life. She just has this idea that she will hate it.”
Liam gave a pensive nod. “The ball will take place in a fortnight, so you have ample time to discuss it with your Mother. In the meantime, I shall make arrangements for your departure, with the hope that you and your family will take this opportunity.”
“May I ask something?” Nora sat up straighter in her chair.
“Of course.”
“Why are you doing this for me?” she replied.
Liam frowned, as though he did not quite know. “It is a debt I owe to you, Nora, for saving me when those highwaymen turned particularly nasty. I am also indebted to you for your quick thinking, that kept us from freezing to death.” He scratched his temple. “And I would see your memoirs continue to be read by all because I believe it is righteous, but you cannot do that if someone destroys you first.”
He did not mention the kiss they had shared. Its omission prompted relief and disappointment to vie for attention in her mind, though she supposed it was for the best that they pretended it had never occurred. He was an upstanding gentleman who believed in the sanctity of marriage, and she was a jaded courtesan whose virginity had been stolen from her and she did not believe any man would ever want to wed her.
“I don’t know how I would feel about taking on the role of your wife. Would I not be robbing the pleasure of being your first bride from some unknown lady that you have yet to meet?” Nora’s cheeks flushed with warmth, but one look at Liam’s face cooled them. He seemed suddenly on edge, his eyes taking on a wild appearance.
“I would not trouble yourself with that, Nora. It will only be an act,” he said, a touch brusquely. “Nor do I intend to marry again.”
Nora tilted her head to one side. “Again?”
“Uh… after our pretense, I mean.” He would not meet her eyes. A sure sign that there was something he was not being honest about. Throughout her years accompanying gentlemen, that was one of the first telltale signs she had learned.
“You’ve had your heart broken, haven’t you?” she blurted out.
He reeled back in surprise. “Me? Why would you think such a thing?” He patted his face as though the truth were somehow written there.
“I’ve seen it before,” she said. “I know what a wounded person looks like.”
He stood sharply. “I did not realize the time. I really must be going, but I hope that you will consider my propo—uh, my suggestion.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “The sooner we can leave, the better it will be for you and your family. Thank you for agreeing to speak with me, and… uh… please do write your reply, or send for me, when you have made your decision.”
He hurried toward the door as if he could not get away fast enough, leaving Nora with the absolute certainty that a broken heart lay hidden in that athletic chest of his. She did not blame him for wanting to evade her question, for her own broken heart was something she never spoke of to anyone.
We are so different, you and I, and yet… it seems we are the same.
And, perhaps, one day, he would tell her his story, and she might finally find the courage to tell hers.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Returning home in his carriage, Liam simmered upon the velvet squabs, furious with himself for leaving in so childish a manner. When it came to memories or thoughts of Élodie, a side of him that he despised seemed to unlock, reducing him to the disbelieving, heartbroken, despairing man that he had once been.
“I should have simply told her the truth!” He banged his hand against the carriage door, startling a young woman who stood on the street beyond. “It is no great secret, after all. If she were to ask any of theton, they would inform her, most salaciously, of my past woes. Now, I am ensnared in a useless lie that serves no purpose whatsoever!”
