Page 58 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
“Tomorrow may be too soon.”
“Why?”
She darted a glance toward the guests again. “I should consult with Bella. She’s inquired for me with a milliner and modiste in Knightsbridge. We don’t yet know when they could accommodate a fitting.”
“Very well.” Rhys focused on Bella too. She was smiling, but it was a tight uncomfortable smile. “We shall consult her first.”
“I’ll go and rescue her,” Meg said, echoing his thoughts.
“She’s my fiancée. I rather think that’s my job.”
His sister giggled. “Oh it is. But in this case, I’llhave an easier time getting her away and distracting the others while you two have a moment on your own.”
“Very well.” He glanced behind him at the hedgerows and his stomach clenched at the memory of what had happened there. “Tell her I’ll be waiting at the temple.”
Lord Yardley had indulged his love of ancient architecture by having a Grecian-style folly constructed on the grounds of Hillcrest. Rhys recalled every moment he and Bella spent playing in and around the circular temple with fondness.
Meg nodded and headed into the gathering of women. Rhys started off toward the folly. Before he’d even made it halfway, Bella called to him.
He turned to find her a few feet away, her cheeks flushed and her pale yellow gown flecked with bits of grass. She looked so much like the girl who he’d romped through the fields with barefoot that he couldn’t help but grin.
“Did you run to catch up?”
“Mother would never approve of running.” She glanced over her shoulder to where her mother mingled with guests on Hillcrest’s veranda, and then turned back to him. “But I did sprint a bit when I felt certain I was out of sight.”
Her voice was playful, full of relief, and suddenly he felt lighter too.
“The party seemed to go well.” He hadn’t participated as much as he should have, but Bella had spoken to nearly every guest.
“Extremely well. I’ve rarely seen Mama so happy. Papa withdrew to his study soon after it started, but I think he’s pleased too.” She came a step closer. “Why did you retreat?”
“I didn’tretreat.I was friendly for quite a long time. The conversation waned and I stepped away,” Rhys protested. “I don’t think I gave anyone cause to suspect—”
“That we’re lying to everyone we know?”
Rhys clenched his teeth. Guilt gnawed at him. He didn’t want to tell her that he’d stepped away to avoid the whispers and looks of disdain. He’d expected them. By reputation, he’d earned them, and normally that didn’t warrant his notice. But he wasn’t Bella’s fiancé then.
“You have a very good reason for this scheme. It’s born out of love for your parents, and this plan won’t harm them. We’ve already agreed on all of that.”
“Yes, I know.”
Her doubts were understandable. He didn’t like the deception either and he still worried for her reputation. But most of all he hated that she no longer seemed at ease.
“Shall we make our way to the folly?” He began walking backward, keeping his gaze on her, offering her a smile to entice her to join him. He was prepared to do anything to make her forget her worries and guilt. “I haven’t been there in years.”
She hadn’t budged from where she stood near the entrance to the hedge garden. “We could just find a bench here if you wish to talk.”
Rhys swallowed down his own dose of guilt. There was challenge in her gaze. As much as he wanted to avoid reliving that day, she seemed to want to do so in equal measure.
“As you wish.” Stalking past her, he headed down one row and turned. When he spotted the bench where she’d confronted him years before, he turned back and waited.
He wasn’t a terribly honorable man. He’d wagered recklessly, poured most of his energy into revelry, and sought and found pleasure more often than any man should. Looking back on the last five years, he had little but his involvement with the Duke’s Den to be proud of, but that particular instance of thoughtlessness haunted him like nothing else he’d ever done.
Because no one in his life had ever thought so highly of him as Bella.
When she turned the corner to join him, it wasn’t the confident mature Bella he saw standing in front of him now. He saw a girl, young and sweet and innocent. A girl who’d trusted him entirely and idealized him too much.
“This is where I found you,” she said matter-of-factly. “Why did you do it?”
