Page 20 of Assisting Lord Richmond
“Do you have news?”
Hugh turned quickly toward the open doorway, sucking in a breath at the pretty picture his faux betrothed made. Colour was high in her cheeks as though she had hurried to meet him or she was furious. He hoped it was the former.
“I do, in fact.” He strode toward her, hoping to grasp one of her hands, but she put them behind her back and stood stiffly staring at him. “Can we sit?” he finally asked.
“We have solved the matter. Everyone has been dispatched with suitable stories to explain their absences if they were to be noticed. And my mystery caller has apparently left the country. You are no longer in danger, and I am officially no longer an operative.” He said the last on a lowered voice, still keeping his secrets even though he had left his much loved work behind.
“Are you terribly sad?” she asked with a slight choke, making Hugh realize that she sympathized with him despite her anger.
“Not as much as I would have expected, to be honest. I think our conversations about Richmond helped. I’m excited about the improvements I can make there, both for myself and my tenants. And I’m eager to learn about Parliament. Also—” He again glanced at the open door and lowered his voice. “The Home Office said they might be able to give me an assignment here and there that would not put me much at risk but still keep me sharp.”
“Oh, that must give you mixed feelings,” Ellen exclaimed, softening her stiff posture.
“You are certainly correct. But I appreciated them allowing me to not abandon my post completely,” Hugh dismissed.
“It is not an abandonment of your post, and well you know it. Your circumstances changed. They must understand that.”
“You are right, and it seems that they do.”
Silence descended between them for a moment.
“So I suppose our betrothal is no longer required, then, in that case. What shall we say is the reason? I haven’t been able to come up with a good explanation, especially for my family.”
Hugh held his breath, surprised and relieved that she wasn’t ready to tell her family she had a disgust for him.
“Would you be terribly opposed to remaining betrothed?” His voice was slightly shaken, and he fidgeted in his seat.
“For how long?” Ellen seemed puzzled. “I thought our ruse would end as soon as the Spanish situation was sorted.”
“Until we meet at the altar?”
Silence fell between them once again, and Ellen did nothing but stare at him in shock.
“You would go through with the marriage? But what about your mourning?”
To her surprise, Hugh shrugged. “As it turns out, no one, not even my mother, was much put out by our betrothal. There’s really no reason not to go through with it.”
She stared at him a bit longer, making Hugh highly uncomfortable. He knew his declaration was lukewarm at best. He knew she had enjoyed his company until he had kissed her in the Gardens. She hadn’t wanted to listen to his apologies at the time; he would have to try again.
“Ellen, my dear girl, please say you’ll forgive me for my forward behavior of the past and accept my suit.”
Again, silence fell between them as she stared at him. He was relieved to see she was not repulsed, merely shocked.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” She sounded reluctant as she answered.
“Why not? I swear I’ll be an excellent husband.”
Now her stare turned speculative.
“What does that mean to you?” she asked softly.
Heat tinged his cheeks, but he didn’t back down.
“I will do everything in my power to make sure you’re happy.”
“But what exactly will you do to ensure that?” she persisted.
“Haven’t you been happy these past two weeks?”
