Page 67 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
As the coach pulled away, Cornelius spied Leah in her second-story window, watching him. He waved her goodbye with a devilish grin, and then sat back in the seat for the uncomfortable ride.
“Everything will settle just fine.” he breathed to himself, and shut his eyes for a nap.
* * *
Kenneth was sorely disappointed to see his Uncle leave in such a hurry, yet he could not put that over his concern for Leah. He felt shocked and ashamed for not realizing the state of her condition earlier.I should have been far more attentive.
“He's gone already.” his mother exclaimed, rounding the corner. “What's to be done when you invite a man to supper, and he leaves within the second hour?”
“Mother, I haven't the time.” Kenneth tried to move around her.
“And that woman, Miss Benson. When is she leaving, Kenneth? She is unbearable. Uncultured, and ill-mannered.”
“Mother, would you cease for yet a moment?” Kenneth could bear it no longer.
“How dare you!” she pushed back.
“I am the law of this house, and I will not be questioned at every turn!”
“And yet the law must beware corrupting influences.”
“I cannot hear this, I must care for Leah.” Kenneth moved past his mother.
“Is it Leah? Or Miss Benson?” his mother called after him. He could see her shaking her head as he rounded the banister.
Kenneth sprang up the staircase. He was worried for Leah. Confirming their mutual affection that day had brought him a sense of completion that he did not know he lacked. It was not as though he was missing part of him before; it was more like a piece of him had been added atop everything else, binding it together.
Now, with her suffering, no matter how slight, he felt as if his entire being was in jeopardy. He had to ensure she was well.
Kenneth reached her door and gave it a gentle knock.
“Leah, are you well?”
“Go away, Kenneth.” she said through the door.
“I mean to help.” he offered. “What can I bring you?”
“I do not wish to see you, Kenneth.” she called back.
“Go on Your Grace, shoo on, go.” Mrs. Redford hurried up to the door, waving his away. “I'll handle this, Your Grace, go on.”
“Of course.” Kenneth ducked away, growing hot and red in the face. He felt terribly embarrassed. It was certainly not his place, at least not as they currently stood. Had anybody else been present, it would have been the next point of gossip about London.
Unable to settle as the night progressed, Kenneth withdrew to his office. He slouched low in the tall chair and poured himself several drinks. His mind rambled away while his heart interjected, and in his worrisome state he fell asleep sitting up.
* * *
Leah was in distress. She paced back and forth in the small room which she hated, moving her hands from her sides to her head absentmindedly.
She was in a complete panic. Everything had gone wrong. She had thought that she had bought perhaps a week or two to slink off into London and make her way to France, despite how heavy it would make her heart. That was just another sacrifice she would have to make to survive.
Now, everything had exploded at once. The mystery man that Riphook reported to – the only person Riphook reported to – knew who and where she was.
Leah was smart enough to know that he was going to send some thugs after her. There was no way she would ever be able to outrun his influence. Her only chance was to get as far from the Worthington estate as humanly possible.
Suddenly France didn't seem nearly far enough. She began to formulate a plan to stow aboard an Indian merchant and start anew in Ceylon, or some other obscure and foreign place. Perhaps Australia?That would be ironic. Somehow, she still managed to make herself pause for a moment and smile.Australia. A continent of criminals.Suddenly it didn't sound half bad.
“Leah, are you well?” She could hear Kenneth through the door. No doubt that old snake had told him some lie about indigestion, or worse, 'woman's discomfort.'
