“There will be no scandal,” he said stiffly. “And I wouldthank you for caring more for your daughter than for the opinion of society. Society is fickle, but her care for you is true.”
Lord Rothendale stammered, eyes wide with shock and anger, but Lady Rothendale spoke into the quiet.
“We do care, Lord Blackburne. I assure you that we do.” Her expression when she looked at Bernadette was hurt and sorrowful, and Nicholas thought that perhaps at least she had come to her senses. Perhaps she had learned that there were more important things in life than caring about what everyone else thought. He let out a sigh, relieved.
“Good. Well, then,” he added, looking around. “I would like to ask permission to take Bernadette for a walk in the park later.”
“Of course, you may,” Lord Rothendale replied instantly.
“If Bernadette is not feeling sick today,” Lady Rothendale spoke up swiftly. “It was very cold last night.”
“Bernadette?” Nicholas asked, gazing warmly at her. She blushed and held his gaze, a smile lifting her mouth, defying her efforts to keep her face neutral.
“I would like that,” she said softly.
Nicholas beamed. “Good,” he replied.
They sat and ate their breakfast in comfortable quiet.
Later, when the sun was already high and close to its midday position, Nicholas escorted Bernadette to the park. Herchaperone accompanied them, beaming at Bernadette each time she caught her eye as though she was elated to see her. Nicholas breathed in the cool air and turned to Bernadette, who took his hand shyly.
“Shall we?” he asked gently as they reached the gate.
“Yes,” she replied in a soft voice. “Let’s go in.”
They walked through the big, wrought iron gate together.
Nicholas looked around. The park was not crowded, but nor was it empty, with people sitting on the benches enjoying the mid-morning warmth, and children playing noisily on the lawns, watched by their nannies from the benches nearby. He looked at Bernadette, smiling. She was wearing a white dress decorated with blue flowers, a simple dress that suited her well. She had a white bonnet with blue ribbons, the ends fluttering prettily in the breeze. Her gentle face was lit with a big smile.
“This is pleasant,” Nicholas said softly. He was thinking of the first time they had been to the park together; how stiff and formal it felt, how tense he was. She nodded.
“It’s different,” she answered in a quiet tone.
“Yes, it is,” Nicholas agreed, delighted that she had understood him so exactly. They walked along the path towards the fountain. When they reached it, they settled on one of the benches. The water sprayed up high into the air, the hiss of the fountain soft, the moisture seeming to reach them where they sat. It fell in thin arcs of jewel-like drops, making a soft pattering as they fell into the pond again. Nicholas watched it, lost inthought.
“Thank you for staying,” Bernadette murmured. Nicholas smiled, resting his hand on hers. He had long since ceased to worry about her noticing the scars on his hands, and, if she did, she had not reacted to them at all.
“I wanted to,” he said softly. He paused. “I need to return and speak to my grandparents, though.” He swallowed hard. He was not looking forward to that.
“I can come too,” Bernadette offered, her brown eyes eager and gentle. He shook his head.
“It’s all right, sweetling. Best if I go by myself,” he said quickly. He knew his grandparents—there was no limit to their entitlement and high-handedness, and he didn’t want her to hear them saying anything bad. “I would like to see you later too, though,” he added longingly.
She smiled. “Perhaps we could go to a tea-house,” she offered in a warm tone. “We never did that.”
“You’re right!” Nicholas beamed at her. “Let’s do that, then. I’ll come with the coach to fetch you at tea-time.” His soul soared.
Bernadette giggled and he felt his heart thump. She was right—they had known each other for weeks now, and yet the simple things like taking tea together, they’d never really done. There was a world of experiences they had not had, and he couldn’t wait to start embarking on them together.
“I’ll see you at tea, then,” she said warmly.
“You will,” he insisted, grinning.
She giggled again and he took her hand, and they sat on the bench together and watched the crystal drops of water kiss the surface of the pond.
Nicholas escorted her back home after walking through the park and felt his stomach tie in a knot at the thought of confronting his grandparents. First, he stopped off at his home, changing into a suitable set of day clothes, and then took his coach with the Blackburne coat of arms on the side across town to Lockwood House.
“Good morning, my lord.” The butler sounded uncomfortable, and Nicholas breathed in deeply. His grandparents' displeasure must be affecting everybody. “Lady Lockwood is in the drawing room.”
