Page 57 of The Courtship Trap
Richard had defended Harriet last night at dinner, trying to smooth the tensions. He had done his best to lighten the mood, carrying conversations when the duke refused to speak, when Lily was too nervous to do anything but prattle. At the time, Sebastian had thought it was just Richard’s usual charm at play. That, despite his past as a notorious rake, he had softened after his marriage to Sophia.
But now, watching him ride up to Harriet’s carriage in a quiet corner of Hyde Park, a sickening thought took root.
Had Richard been defending her not out of familial courtesy, but because he was involved with her? Was he one of her many secrets?
Sebastian’s jaw clenched so hard it ached. It would explain too much. Why Harriet had lied about her outings. Why Richard had acted the peacemaker. And most of all, why the duke had been so cold. Was that why Philip had been trying to warn him away? Because he knew their own cousin had been carrying on with Harriet behind closed doors?
The possibility sent a fresh wave of fury surging through Sebastian. He had spent the morning tormented by what had happened between him and Harriet. He had been prepared to fight for her. To make sense of the tangled mess between them.
And yet, here she was. Meeting another man in secret. His cousin, no less.
Sebastian’s vision narrowed, his blood hammering as he shoved open the carriage door.
“Wait here,” he snapped at his driver, already striding toward the pair across the discreet distance where his carriage had stopped, his boots crunching against the frozen ground.
His fury propelled him forward, each step matching the pound of his heart in his chest. Whatever lies Harriet had woven,whatever deception Richard had entangled himself in, Sebastian would have his answers. And he would have them now.
CHAPTER 12
Nay: if ’tis a crime to love thee,
Then no lot’s so hard as mine.
The New Ladies’ Valentine Writer (1821)
Harriet’s hands trembled in her lap as she sat rigidly in the carriage. This time it was not passion that made them shake, but deep regret. She had ruined everything.
Sebastian had looked at her this morning as though she had shattered whatever fragile bonds had begun to form between them. And now, she was certain she had lost him forever. The burden of her poor choices pressed down upon her, suffocating and inescapable.
When Lord Saunton rode up alongside her carriage, his expression shifted immediately from casual curiosity to concern. He reined in his horse and dismounted with fluid ease before striding toward the carriage door. She barely waited for him toassist her before stepping out onto the cold ground, the air biting at her skin even beneath her gloves.
“Lady Slight?” Lord Saunton’s voice was low and careful, but the keen perception in his gaze told her he had already deduced that something was amiss.
She swallowed, wrapping her arms around herself, seeking comfort where none was to be found. “I have made a terrible mistake.”
Lord Saunton frowned, his gloved hands settling on his hips. “That much is clear. But which mistake in particular are we discussing?”
Harriet laughed, a sharp and humorless sound. “I trapped Sebastian into a courtship in exchange for a painting he once gave me. I told him I no longer had it, and that I would tell him who did if he pretended to court me until Christmas. But I did have it, and now he knows and I … I spoiled everything.”
The earl’s brows shot up in unmistakable dismay. “You what?”
She nodded miserably. “I … I know it was wrong. I knew it when I did it. But I thought … I thought if I had time, I could make him see—” Her voice broke.
“That you belonged together?” he guessed, his expression sympathetic.
“Yes.” The admission scorched her throat.
He ran a hand down his face, frustration plain. “And instead, he has discovered the truth, and now you are standing here like a lost child, trembling over the consequences of your choices.”
She flinched. “I did not mean to hurt him.”
“No, I imagine you meant to secure your own happiness first and foremost,” Lord Saunton said, his voice firm.
Harriet turned away, squeezing her eyes shut. “I know I have done wrong. But you have been my Mentor these many months. Advised me on making amends for my past behavior. Until now,I did everything you told me to do, and I am terribly sorry I did not tell you what I was about. But, please, tell me how to fix this?”
The earl was silent for a long moment before he spoke again. “Lady Slight … once one starts on the path of honesty, it is imperative not to stray from it. You cannot simply confess one truth and expect all else to be forgiven if you continue down the road of deception. I am afraid you have not heeded my advice in this regard.”
She turned back to him, desperation clawing at her chest. “Tell me what I can do. You are the only one I know who managed to find your way back. You … and Perry, whom I cannot ask to help for obvious reasons.” She could hardly ask her former lover to advise her on redemption, which was why she had sought out not him, but Perry’s brother back in August when she had made her decision to change her circumstances.
