Page 16 of Assisting Lord Richmond
“It’s not the only one, but I am certain that it is the best one.”
“Explain to me what you get out of this. I understand you think I am now in danger because this Spanish woman thinks I might be your replacement as a spy. So our betrothal will explain away our association as being of the romantic sort, not the spyish sort. And this will keep them from trying to eliminate me, I suppose. I can see your logic. But what good does it do for you?”
Hugh frowned. “I would never be able to live with myself if something were to happen to you as a result of your association with me. None of this was your fault. I wasn’t thinking clearly and jumped to a conclusion, and now here we are. Something that has never in all my days happened to me, I might point out. So I must ensure you are protected.”
Ellen nodded but continued to look at him expectantly.
“I need this mission to succeed, Ellen.” Hugh could hear the slight desperation in his voice, but he didn’t try to cover it up. He needed to convince her. “It is my last one. I need it to not be a failure. OrIwill feel like a failure.”
Ellen’s ever empathetic inclinations quickly jumped to the fore and she made as though to come toward him with comfort to offer, but Hugh held up his hand to prevent her approach. He should have known she would turn soft.
“Don’t misplace your sympathy on me. It won’t fail. But I cannot worry about your safety and the mission’s success all at once. I need you to be safe. And the men will look after themselves.”
“Have you warned them?”
He nodded. She nibbled her thumb as she paced about the receiving room a little bit more. Finally she sighed and nodded.
“We cannot allow it to go on overlong, though, Hugh. I truly do not want to remain in the Marriage Mart for too long. And we’ll have to come up with a good reason why we have decided we would not suit. Something people will believe but that shan’t compromise me.”
“Of course.”
She sighed again. “Very well, then, I suppose you have a betrothed.” She didn’t sound the least bit happy about the prospect but then, in almost the blink of an eye, her face brightened and she laughed. “Would you take me to Vauxhall? It is considered far too racy for a debutante, but now that I have a fiancé to accompany me, surely it wouldn’t be beyond the pale.”
Hugh laughed. “You are going to be the death of me, aren’t you?”
Chapter Nine
Ellen waited anxiously in her bedroom, not wanting anyone else to witness her fidgets and pacing. Hugh was speaking with her father about their betrothal. It made her feel ill in her stomach. How could they deceive her family in this way? It seemed the most underhanded of starts. And how was she to keep her heart out of the business?
To her surprise, her father and brother had arrived in Town on the heels of the courier Hugh had sent to ensure all was well at Hanley. As it turned out, there really had been a problem with the flock, but it had quickly been dealt with. Lord Hanley had grumbled quite heartily about missing the opening of Parliament, but Ellen was nearly certain the government had managed without him. Ellen wasn’t certain how Jeffrey would react to Hugh’s proposing to his sister, though. She only hoped it wouldn’t damage their friendship when Ellen’s betrothal came to an end. She chewed on her thumb in her distress as she paced the room in order to contain it.
They had agreed, when they had worked out this ridiculous scheme, to wait until today for Hugh to speak with Ellen’s parents. First, they had put on quite a spectacle at the ball Ellen had been promised to that night.
Not that they went beyond the bounds of acceptable behaviour. They had only danced two times together. But one of them was the super dance. So they had spent a great deal of the evening in each other’s company. This way, Hugh had explained, it would come as no surprise to anyone when they announced their betrothal. And even Ellen’s parents shouldn’t be surprised by his appearance seeking an audience that afternoon.
But still Ellen paced. And nibbled on her thumb. And straightened out all the little items on her dressing table before flinging herself onto her bed with a muffled screech.
How was she to get through the coming weeks? That was the worst part of the entire mess. Hugh couldn’t tell her conclusively how long it would take to ensure their safety. He needed to ensure all the gentlemen he had spoken to were safe without telling them anything about his assignment. That in itself would be a feat of some accomplishment. Ellen’s admiration for him would know no bounds if he managed to pull that off without stirring up a great deal of gossip.
And when had she developed admiration for Viscount Richmond, she demanded of herself as she climbed back off her bed and resumed her pacing. Considering he had broken her youthful heart, she was only doing this to keep her family safe, she reminded herself with a flounce even as she listened attentively for anyone sending for her. Surely he wouldn’t leave without speaking to her. That would certainly belie their sham betrothal.
Suddenly, without her noticing the approach of feet, there was a scratch at her door, and Margery stuck her head into the room.
“Oh, my lady, there’s excitement afoot.” She nearly did a dance of joy as she sidled into the room. “A viscountess – how thrilling.”
“Oh, Margery, don’t get too excited just yet. I haven’t told you everything I promised to. Are you here to collect me?”
“Not just yet. I’m sure one of the footmen will be along in good time. I just heard the whispers through the house and had to come see to you. Knowing you as I do, I thought you’ve probably messed with your hair or spilled something on your gown in all your agitation.”
Ellen had to laugh over this. Her dear maid wasn’t wrong. She glanced down her person. “I think I’ve managed not to make too much of a mess of myself, but perhaps you could tidy my hair.”
“Sit yourself down and tell me what’s troubling you.”
Ellen quickly obeyed, anxious to unburden herself.
“You have to keep this confidence, though Margery, promise me.”
Looking offended, Margery scoffed. “When have I broken your confidence?”
