Page 62 of The Rogue's Runaway Bride
“Mrs. Gilroy, Belle and I have matters to discuss,” Mrs. Johnstone said directly. “Matters not suitable for a child’s ears.”
“I figured ye might,” the housekeeper said with a knowing nod. “Carrie, will ye show me yer new doll, the one Mr. Jon brought ye?”
“She’s very pretty,” the child said. “I know you’ll think so, too.”
“Ye can be sure of that,” Mrs. Gilroy took the girl by the hand and walked a bit gingerly from the room.
As the door closed, Mrs. Johnstone took a sip of tea and sent Ellie another glance. “I know it must all seem a bit odd, with Ellie’s talk of unique skills and such. But I’m here to assist with the matter of yer security. I understand ye’ve good reason to be cautious, given the situation.”
“I take it he’s informed you of my circumstances.”
Mrs. Johnstone nodded. “As soon as I heard the name of the man who is looking for ye, I knew the danger ye’d faced.”
“You’ve heard of him?”
She gave a somber nod. “A few years ago, I was involved in an investigation as an agent performing services for a certain detective bureau. It was all rather hush-hush, and discretion does not permit me to divulge the details of that particular case. But suffice it to say that Gideon Kentsworth is a very dangerous man. Ye would not be the first young woman of means who became entangled with the scoundrel, only to regret it.”
“Thank heaven you trusted your instincts,” Ellie said.
“If I’d had any doubt that you were in danger, the information Miss Blake has learned only confirms my suspicions,” Mrs. Johnstone said.
Tension gripped Belle’s insides. “What is it, Ellie?”
“Since he arrived in London, Kentsworth has portrayed himself as Scottish nobility. But Belle, the man is a fraud.”
Belle had already seen how very unscrupulous Gideon truly was. But this information still plowed into her with the force of a blow. “My, he did make a complete fool of me, didn’t he?”
Ellie slowly shook her head. “He’s been deceiving people for a long time. Most everyone he came across in the city believed him. After all, very few would feel inclined to research and verify one’s title.”
“Indeed,” Mrs. Johnstone said. “Kentsworth has honed a talent for being a chameleon. He blends into an environment and characterizes himself in a way that does him the most good.”
“He didn’t have to try hard to convince me. I truly didn’t care if he possessed a title or not.” Belle reflected on the seamless manner in which he’d blended into her life, sharing her interests and dedication to aiding the poor. Why, he’d even made a show of sharing her love of poetry, even going so far as to recite verses of Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
It had all been an act. Every last bit of it had been a bitter charade.
“In my heart, I think I knew all along. I saw through him, deep down. Even when I wanted to view him through a rosy lens.”
“Ye can be thankful ye followed yer instincts.” Mrs. Johnstone took a sip of tea and faced Belle directly. “Do ye care to tell me more of what happened the night ye ran from him?”
Belle gulped a swallow of tea and composed her thoughts. “It’s rather simple, really. I’d already realized I could not go through it... I could not marry him. I had been staying with my aunt, Lady Vera Willsbury. You may have heard of her.”
“I have,” Mrs. Johnstone said without elaboration.
“I see clearly now that she’d done everything in her power to bring me and Gideon together. At the time, I truly believed she was hopeful that I would find the right man for me, especially after—”After Jon took a piece of my heart when he returned to London.But she certainly couldn’t say that now, could she? “After I’d happily put myself on the shelf.”
“She stood to benefit from your relationship,” Ellie said as Mrs. Johnstone nodded her understanding.
“Yes, though I’d believed her efforts were sincere. Until I heard the two of them quarreling when she did not realize I was in the residence. Aunt Vera had flown into a rage. I don’t ever recall hearing her voice so very shrill. So filled with anger.” Belle took another sip of tea, collecting herself. The echo of her aunt’s harsh tone in her thoughts still left her shaken.
“Belle, I know this is hard for you,” Ellie said gently.
“For years, I trusted her as a dear friend. The truth was so bitter. That night, when I heard them, Gideon was much calmer than she was. He wasn’t shouting, and it seemed he was trying to reassure her. But Aunt Vera was utterly furious.”
She’s having second thoughts, you fool. If Belle leaves... we’ll be left with nothing.Aunt Vera’s harsh tones echoed in her mind.If she will not publicly speak her vows... I’ve found another way. But her father is a powerful man. We must ensure there is no way that he can challenge the documents. I don’t care if you use persuasion. Or force. You cannot let her leave.
Belle pulled in a low breath. “In Vera’s eyes, he was letting the prey slip away.”
The women’s eyes went wide. “Good heavens,” Mrs. Johnstone said.
