Page 81 of Nothing But a Rakehell
“But you didn’t?” She couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. Angry, too, because no matter what had happened, she knew he’d been hurt by it.
“No. But Father cornered her somewhere. He was typically rough in his address and it frightened her. I think she would have ended it right then, but her father had got his back up. He felt for me, for my situation, I know he did. But I think he also liked the idea of his daughter becoming a countess one day. He decided to speak to my father himself. He told him to stop interfering and to allow us to be happy.”
She grimaced. “I don’t imagine that went over well.”
“About as well as you’d expect,” he sighed.
“What did your father do?”
“What he usually does. He won. I don’t know what the information was, but he dug up something embarrassing or incriminating, and he used it. It must have been bad enough, for it silenced her father instantly. And my father, who likes to do things thoroughly, combined the stick with a carrot—he offered not to expose his dirty information, if the family took his generous offer of a stay in Bath, where their daughter could be sure to find another suitor, more appropriate for her station.”
“Good heavens,” she said faintly. “He is diabolical.”
“He is—and he will aim it all at you, if he thinks you are a threat. And if you persevere, he will turn on your family. Is that what you want?”
“Of course not, but it is better than the alternative. You told me I must fight tyranny. And so I shall.”
“You shall not. I won’t have you hurt.”
She was awash with emotion, each a wave crashing against her. Defiance. Both a thrill and a sense of tender gratitude for his fierce protectiveness. Pain, thinking of all that he’d suffered. And utter determination that there would be no more.
Hope.
She felt hope. Truly. For the first time.
She knew what she faced now. Both Keswick’s father and his own fears. She wouldn’t fail him, not even if it meant giving up her own dream.
“I’ll go. Immediately,” he continued. “Back to London.”
“But won’t that prove to your father that you do care for me? He’ll expect you to do just that—as a gambit to draw his attention away. He’ll see it for a protective move.”
“That’s what it is. I don’t want him near you.”
“But if you want to convince him of your disinterest, you should stay. Spend time with Tensford and pay no attention to me or to Miss Vernon.”
He groaned and knocked his head against the stall door. “Damn. Why are you so often right? You likely are, in this case, too.”
“I’m afraid you are just going to have to get used to it.” She rolled her head against the door and looked over at him. “Besides which, Tensford will have a fit if you go. He has that man from the British Museum coming tomorrow, to see the fossil and attend the ball. Apparently he’s already requested to speak to you, me, and Miss Munroe. He wants to ask questions about how we found it.”
His head fell in his hands. “It sounds dreadful. I’ll have to avoid you, and keep myself occupied while doubtless both my father and Miss Vernon try to plague me.” He peeked at her. “And the worst part? I’ll have to endure the damned ball, without a dance with you.”
“Well, that was always going to be the case.” She grinned at him while an idea bloomed in her head. He’d suffered enough. He’d fought alone, long enough. He deserved a bit of support. He deserved a bit of a win.
And it was going to start with her.
Chapter 18
Keswick came down early to breakfast the next morning, determined to be done with it and in hiding before his father could show up from the village.
He sat down with a plate from the sideboard and nodded a good morning to Hope.
“Good morning, Kes,” she said warmly. “Here’s fresh tea for you.”
He smiled his thanks as a footman entered with a fresh pot—but the expression died away as Miss Vernon followed on the servant’s heels.
“Miss Vernon!” The countess appeared to be surprised. “Were we expecting you so early, today?”
“Is Miss Parscate not down yet?” the girl asked innocently. She carried a stack of ladies magazines in her arm. “We were going to go over new hairstyles for the ball this evening.”
