Page 39 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
Chapter Seventeen
“So you are soon to be engaged, I am sure.”
Rachel’s heart slammed against her ribs and she looked at Miss Renfrew with wide eyes. “Engaged? No, I certainly do not believe so. The Duke of Longford is only courting me at present and –”
“The gentleman has been absent from London for some years,” her friend interrupted. “He has returned to London and in only a short while, seeks to court you! There must be something of significance in that, I am sure.”
Rachel hesitated, remembering how the Duke had asked her not to tell anyone about the true reason behind their courtship and yet finding herself eager to share something with her friend. “It may not be as you think,” she said, slowly. “The Duke has a reason for courting me and it is not because of interest.”
Miss Renfrew frowned. “No?”
Rachel shook her head but said nothing more.
“Your father and mother must be delighted, however, “Miss Renfrew continued, as Rachel offered her a small smile. “Though I cannot imagine that your sister is delighted?”
Wincing, Rachel permitted herself a small, wry laugh. “Bettina has been throwing things for the last three days,” she admitted, seeing Miss Renfrew scowl. “My courtship was announced only four days ago and in that time, though Bettina has behaved perfectly at every social occasion, she has been like a whirlwind back at home. The maids duck every time they step into the room and even our father has been unable to calm her!”
“Goodness, that does sound rather serious.”
“The Duke of Longford does not know of it, however, though I am sure he will be able to guess at her response to ourcourtship. Though I dread to think of her dark words to me when the courtship comes to an end!”
“What?”
Too late did Rachel realize that she had spoken without thinking. Her eyes closed briefly and she stammered an explanation, but nothing made sense.
“Tell me the truth,” Miss Renfrew demanded, her hand going out to grasp Rachel’s as they stood in the middle of the London street, passersby going here and there. “What are you talking about? Why should your engagement come to an end?”
Rachel swallowed the lies she had been about to offer as explanation, knowing that she could not easily lie to her friend. Miss Renfrew had been nothing but generous to her and Rachel did not want to tell untruths. “I cannot tell you everything but only to state that the Duke requires my help. There is someone who is seeking to injure him and given that my status has been rather lowly in society, I thought I might be able to aid him by watching him and seeing what takes place.”
Miss Renfrew’s eyes rounded though she said nothing.
“I understand that this will come as a great astonishment to you,” Rachel continued, slowly, “but I must beg of you to keep it all to yourself for the moment. I dare not have it shared with anyone.”
“But of course, of course!” Miss Renfrew exclaimed, staring at Rachel as though she had never seen her before. “But why should he then seek to court you? I do not understand.”
Quickly, Rachel explained all, seeing Miss Renfrew never blink even once as she listened to everything Rachel said. “Thus,” she said, finishing, “once this person is unmasked, there will be no need for such things as our courtship. Though,” she admitted, a little ruefully, “this has not worked as I thought. I believed that the courtship was simply to permit us to have conversations and the like without anyone noticing.”
“Except all of thetonhas become very excited to hear such news and everyone is talking about it,” Miss Renfrew finished, shaking her head. “That is because the Duke was rather beastly and then, all of a sudden, he declares that he is courting you? Of course it would be a great surprise! Little wonder that everyone is speaking of it.”
“Indeed,” Rachel sighed, smiling as she slipped her arm through Miss Renfrew’s and continued to walk. “Though I must beg of you again not to say a word of this to anyone. It has been of great concern to me that the Duke has avoided disaster on two occasions for they have both been entirely unexpected and come as a great shock to him.”
“And because you care for him,” Miss Renfrew said, practically. “You may have given me this prolonged explanation, Rachel, but I quite believe that you will be engaged to him regardless of what happens. I only hope that he will live long enough to see that!”
Rachel closed her eyes briefly and then shook her head, choosing not to respond to her friend. In truth, she did not know what to say, for there was such a confusion within her own heart that she dared not even think of it for fear of what it would bring to her mind.
“Shall we go the bookshop?” Miss Renfrew’s tone was light, as though she was pleased that Rachel had said nothing in response, perhaps aware that Rachel was struggling with her own feelings. “I think that – ”
“Is that not Lord Chiddick?” Rachel stopped suddenly, looking at the gentleman as he climbed down from his carriage. “He spoke to me at the ball and congratulated me on the courtship though he did not smile a great deal. I think he is a very amiable gentleman, do you not?”
Miss Renfrew nodded. “I suppose so, though I do not know him particularly well.” She tilted her head and looked sidelong atRachel. “Did he not call on you? Mayhap that is why he did not smile so much, for perhaps he hoped to court you instead of the Duke!”
Rachel laughed and made to move forward, only to see Lord Chiddick enter into the apothecary. At the very same time, the thought which had struck her once before came back to her again – and she snatched in a breath.
“Rachel?” Miss Renfrew frowned, looking at her strangely. “Whatever is the matter? You have gone rather pale and – ”
“Grace, you must do something for me.” Turning to her, Rachel grasped her friend’s hands, staring straight into her eyes. “Please, do not ask me for an explanation for there is not time. I will tell you all thereafter.”
Miss Renfrew blinked but nodded. “Very well. What can I do?”
