Page 101 of Rescued from Betrayal
The tick of the clock in the room marked the seconds while he waited for Al’s answer. He needed his friends to help him stop Lady Edith’s assault on the fine women of London. It would take their type of cunning to execute the plan they’d laid out in order to trap the woman into a confession. Without either one of them, it might not work.
“I can stay,” Javenia said. “Is there anyone you trust that could take Algenon’s place?”
“No one. Eddie would be a dead giveaway and the Duke of Bedford is already promised. It needs to be a single man.”
Al sighed. “One day, Nate. I will stay one more day, but then I will be on my way home even if I must go by post.”
“I understand.”
“Now about the letter John sent. Was there any mention of when the funeral procession will be held?”
“No, but I am certain they have already done so by now. With the weather growing warmer by the day it would be necessary to take care of things quickly.”
Javenia’s face scrunched up in disgust. “Might you wait to speak of the specifics of decay until there are no ladies present?”
“There are ladies present?” Al crossed his arms. “Could have fooled me. The only people I see here are you and Nate.”
“That is flattering and yet largely insulting at the same time. So thank you and curse your wicked sharp tongue.” She stood and dipped her head toward Nathaniel in farewell. “I think I will go in search of Melior. At least she will be better company than this bear.”
Nathaniel smiled at Al’s faux affronted expression, knowing full well he reveled in the insult.
Javenia stopped with her hand on the door. “Oh, and Nathaniel, tell the bear he is in my black books again, and I shall not be speaking to him.”
He gave her a salute. “Will do.” A chuckle escaped him as she walked away. “Well, you heard the lady; your friendship rights have been revoked for the day.”
“Yes, but how are we to carry out this plan if I cannot speak to one of the main participants?” Al grumbled.
Nathaniel shrugged. “Pantomime?”
Al rolled his eyes and slumped back into his chair. “Why did this have to be the time she got her petticoats in a bunch? Could she not wait until tomorrow?”
“I suppose there is only one thing left for you to do.”
“And what is that?”
“Grovel.”
“Not on your life. I would rather pantomime.”
Chapter 34
Melior smoothed her favorite white and blue ballgown with her gloved hands. That she had done so nearly a dozen times since they had left Stanford House must not have escaped Javenia’s notice for she placed a hand over hers and gave a tight smile.
“You are going to wear a hole in your dress if keep rubbing it like that,” Javenia said in hushed tones.
Melior grasped her hand. “I cannot do this.”
“Of course you can,” Nathaniel said.
Her gaze darted to the occupants of the other bench. Their voices must have carried a lot farther than she realized as both men were looking at her. The attention made her already racing heart jump into a full gallop. If her guilt had choked her before, it now had her in a full stranglehold.
She’d meant to speak with Nathaniel, to get him alone and confess, but after the morning’s revelation she could not bring herself to do it. It was strange to realize his distance was not because he had little interest, but because he had too much.
Part of her had filled with triumph at his confession. It was incredible to think she had affected him for so long. And yet, another part hurt. He had cared for her, perhaps even loved her, and what had she given in return? A saucy attitude and coarse remarks. How had he ever held onto any tender feelings after so many years? She might never know, but he had, and she had never been more grateful.
For all the heartache that her actions had brought, she could not bring herself to regret the mishap that had thrown them together. It had brought her a mother who cared, friends who would do battle for her, and a man she could not imagine her life without.
And that was the crux of it.
