Page 46 of The Truth about the Earl
“He would never have wanted you to do such a thing as this!” Lady Maude’s face was white and she took a step backward. Throwing a glance to Lord Huntsford, James was relieved when he came to stand by Lady Maude. As much as he did not like the lady, it appeared she had done nothing wrong and was just as shocked as they. He did not want to see her fall or injure herself and was glad when she accepted Lord Huntsford’s arm.
Miss Patterson shook her head but tears began to drip onto her cheeks all the faster. “I am desperate. Imustdo all I can to assist Lady Maude! If I do not, then I shall be a spinster!”
“And thus, when you saw Lady Maude was displeased with the attention I showed to Lady Essington over her, you thought to injure Lady Essington by adding that postscript.” James walked toward Lady Essington but kept his shoulders down and his voice low, not wanting to appear at all intimidating. “But she was able to prevent you from doing so again.”
Miss Patterson nodded miserably. “Lady Maude was most displeased you continued to favor Lady Essington. Indeed, she even mentioned it in front of her father and I knew I had to do something! Something that would make Lady Maude glad that you had removed your attention from her.” She threw out one limp hand toward Lady Essington. “But I could not intercept your letters any longer given the changes you had made, so I had to come up with another idea.”
“And the letters and the threats were what you decided to do.” James wrapped one arm around Lady Essington’s shoulders, seeing the sadness in the depths of her eyes. “You injured Lady Adlay because Lady Essington did not do as you had asked.”
“No!” Miss Patterson’s eyes flew wide and she began to gesticulate wildly. “I did no such thing! That was an accident I was then able to use to my advantage. The truth is, I had very little idea as to what I was to do should Lady Essington refuse to write what I had demanded.”
Lady Essington let out another long breath, rubbing her forehead with one hand. “And Miss Geraldine Pottinger?”
“She and Lord Umbridge were both very rude to Lady Maude in front of her mother. But given that Lord Yardley was the only one she spoke of, I then concentrated my efforts on…on you, Lord Yardley.” Miss Patterson dropped her head, unable to lookat anyone in the room. “I have to do such things if I am to gain a suitable match.”
James shook his head. “I am in agreement with Lady Maude and Lady Essington, Miss Patterson. I do not think that such things as you have done would ever have been required of you. You have gone much too far and injured a great many people.”
Lady Essington’s hand on his arm prevented him from saying anything further.
“I shall not remain angry with you, Miss Patterson.” Her quiet words astonished James and he looked down at her sharply, only to feel her fingers tightening gently. “You are afraid. You are scared. I quite understand those feelings. Pray, understand that this is not what was asked of you, however. I beg of you to desist.”
Miss Patterson pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped at her cheeks. “I will not continue.”
“I shall leave you and Lady Maude to speak but one thing I shall say before I depart.” Turning, she looked directly at Lady Maude. “Pray do not remove your friendship from Miss Patterson. You have never been and never shall be in her current circumstances. You lap up praise and adulation from practically everyone around you and complain about the few who do not – or who decide to pursue someone else.” A glance toward him made James smile, relieved beyond all measure that he had given his heart to Lady Essington rather than to Lady Maude.
“In short, Lady Maude, please attempt to show some sort of understanding and compassion to Miss Patterson. Treat her as your friend rather than an underling who must do as you bid.”
Lady Maude blinked but she did not speak. Her lips were flat, her face quite pale but she gave the tiniest of nods as she looked to Miss Patterson. James turned away from them both, following after Lady Essington as she made her way to the door. Lord Huntsford murmured something to Lady Maude andthen stepped away also, followed by Lady Adlay. James stepped to one side, waiting until they had all stepped from the room before closing it behind himself, leaving Lady Maude and Miss Patterson alone.
A great rush of breath escaped him as he walked to join the other three who were standing a little away from the door. Shaking his head, James raked one hand through his hair, blowing out a long breath as he did so.
“I certainly did not expect that particular outcome,” he murmured, as Lady Essington took his proffered hand. “But it is over, at least.”
“Indeed.” Lady Essington did not look as pleased as James had expected. “I am glad on that count, certainly.”
“But you are not pleased.”
“I am sad,” Lady Essington replied, as Lady Adlay murmured she, too, felt the same. “Miss Patterson is clearly in a very difficult situation, scared for her future and thus, determined to go to extreme measures to make certain she fulfills what is expected of her. I am sorry for her for that.”
Lord Huntsford cleared his throat. “I shall make certain Miss Patterson is within my sphere of acquaintances,” he said quietly, surprising James with such consideration. “I too feel the same sympathy.”
“I confess I lack the compassion you all share,” James told them, deciding to be honest. “But I am certain it will come, in time. For the moment, I am only relieved this matter is at an end and we are all quite safe. Especially thatyouare safe, Norah.” He smiled at her, seeing the light return to her eyes. Her smile, he considered, was the most beautiful he had ever seen as though this circumstance had brought with it a freedom that had finally released her from any bonds of tension and fear. “We have much to discuss, my dear.”
“Although mayhap here and now is not the best situation to discuss such particulars,” she murmured, making him laugh. “Might you call on me tomorrow?”
“I shall, of course.” Taking her hand, he brushed a kiss over the back of it, feeling his heart tremble with excitement. “Tomorrow, my dear Norah. I can wait for one more day.”
Epilogue
The moment Lord Yardley stepped into the room, Norah was on her feet, her hands outstretched, ready to greet him. She had barely slept the previous night, having been both overwhelmed with relief and lingering sorrow for Miss Patterson’s situation, whilst the anticipation and excitement of Lord Yardley’s arrival had grown steadily with every passing hour.
“My dear Norah.”
Her heart lifted as he took both of her hands in hers, only to then step even closer and lower his head. She had no time to think, no time to speak even a word before his lips caught hers in a kiss.
Her hands released from his, finding their way up over his shoulders so she might clasp them about his neck. His hands went about her waist, pulling her close to him as he angled his head, so their kiss might deepen all the more. Fire began to lick its way up Norah’s core, her breathing quickened, and her heart filled with more affection and love than ever before.
When he finally pulled back, Norah could not open her eyes for some moments, hearing only their ragged breathing. Herheart still pounding furiously, she opened her eyes and looked up into his face.
