Bernadette turned on the stairway.
“Do you need to fetch something?” Nicholas asked her, guessing her intention. She nodded.
“My things.”
“I’ll fetch them,” Nicholas said quickly. He pulled out a shilling and passed it to Mrs. Brookham, then bowed again. “I will fetch the lady’s things. I assure you, all is above board.”
“I should hope so,” Mrs. Brookham muttered, but she tucked the shilling into her apron and stood where she was, seeming dazed.
Bernadette heard Nicholas following her on the stairs. Her heart thudded. In her home, it had never felt so intimate. Here, nobody even knew where they were. She walked swiftly upstairs and paused in the doorway to the bedroom, feeling her cheeks flush shyly.
“It’s there,” she said, pointing to where the suitcase lay. Henodded.
“I’ll fetch it, then,” he said, ducking in and lifting it easily with one hand. Bernadette felt her eyes widen. She was glad the women were not on the landing where they had been—she would have felt terribly self-conscious if they saw her going down the stairs with Nicholas behind her, carrying her things to his coach.
“Thank you,” Nicholas said again solemnly to Mrs. Brookham at the door.
Bernadette smiled and inclined her head politely. “You helped me a great deal,” she said sincerely. She would have protected Bernadette against anyone, that much was clear. She truly felt thankful to her.
They went outside into the street.
Bernadette almost let out a sigh of relief as she saw the coach standing there. Nicholas had paid a Hackney coach he had found on his way there to make sure he would immediately take Bernadette safe home. He helped her up into it, then swung her bag in and swung up himself, settling lightly on the seat opposite her. He also arranged for his horse to be sent back to his grandparents’ house.
“Rothendale House, please,” he called up to the driver, but Bernadette shook her head swiftly.
“Please,” she whispered. “I don’t think I can see them tonight.”
Nicholas inclined his head. “My sweet,” he said gently. “Icannot take you to my home. It would be improper. But I swear to you, I will not allow them to speak badly to you. Trust me.”
“Yes, my lo—yes, Nicholas.”
Bernadette felt her cheeks redden. Nicholas beamed at her, and the coachman set off. She was still thinking about how bold and foolish she was to be talking to him, to be here, when he gazed across at her. He held her stare with his.
“What is it?” he asked gently.
“I...” She stammered. “I don’t know if I’m being a fool.” She looked at him directly, deciding it was best to be honest.
“Bernadette,” he said softly. “I am sorry. What you saw was an accident—in fact, I believe my grandmother planned it. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I swear to you that it is true. You don’t need to accept that, but I swear to you that I tell only the truth in this.”
Bernadette gaped as, suddenly, it made sense. His grandmother’s undermining of her. Her insistence on balls and parties. Her inclusion of the woman and her daughter on the guest list. She was trying to take matters into her hands, steering Nicholas in the direction she wished him to go.
“You mean your grandmother sent her...? Told her to go and find you?” she whispered. It wasn’t possible. But the more she thought about it, the more it seemed as though he had to be telling the truth, because it was suddenly so clear.
“Yes. Yes. I confronted her, Grandmother, that is, and shetold me.” Nicholas let out a long sigh. “I am sorry, Bernadette. I truly am. And you don’t need to believe me. But I swear it is the truth. And I swear I will never allow such a thing to happen again.”
Bernadette looked into his eyes. She could see pain there, and an intensity that stopped her breathing for a moment. She nodded.
“I trust you, Nicholas,” she said softly.
She saw him slump in his seat and for a moment she felt a stab of concern. He was cold and weary and it was very late at night. He had to be exhausted.
She was about to call to the coach driver when he lifted up his head. He looked at her and sat up, taking a deep breath.
“Thank you,” he murmured. His voice was low.
She smiled a little exasperatedly. “Whatever for?” she asked gently.
“For trusting me. You are kind and wise. I don’t deserve it.”
