Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
P atience smiled at the shopkeeper, thinking her very amiable indeed.
“I thank you. I think that I shall look at the ribbons, as I should very much like a new one for an upcoming ball.”
“But of course. I am more than able to help you, should you require it.”
With a nod of thanks, Patience made her way across the shop to where the ribbons were all laid out, only to spy another person standing within that area. It was, to her surprise, a gentleman - and this immediately made her a little ill at ease. It would not be right to be in this space without any chaperone, though her mother was immediately outside, standing in conversation with Lady Pearson and Eleanor. She went to pull her gaze away, only for the gentleman to look a little to the right – and Patience’s breath hitched. Before she could even think about what to do, she found her legs carrying her towards him, her relief palpable.
“Lord Hastings, thank goodness I have been able to find you!”
The gentleman did not look in the least bit pleased to see her, however. He turned, his lip curling a little as he looked into her eyes.
“Lady Patience, I do not think that we have anything more to say to each other. Good afternoon.”
“No, no, please!” Without meaning to, Patience reached out and managed to catch his hand with hers. Knowing that it was more than a little inappropriate to do so, she held onto it regardless, her breathing growing quick and fast as he looked into her face in evident surprise at her actions. She did not dare let him go for fear that he would stride away from her, and her opportunity to explain herself leave with him. “I must speak with you. Please, I beg of you to listen for only a moment.”
Lord Hastings went suddenly very still, her fingers pressing his as her heart pounded in her chest. He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing as he gazed into her eyes, seeming to soften directly in front of her.
“I suppose I am able to trust that you, at the very least, have nothing to do with Lord Newforth.”
Confused, Patience blinked but said nothing, not understanding in the least what he meant. A few more moments of silence came, only for Lord Hastings to shrug.
“Very well, Lady Patience. What is it that you have to say?”
Relief made her suddenly a little weak.
“I thank you,” she breathed, still holding his hand. “Lord Hastings, you cannot know just how much I regret sending in the drawing to The London Chronicle. Had I known that someone else would have added to my drawing by writing those few lines, then I would never have consented for my work to be printed!” Lord Hastings’s lips flattened, nothing else in his expression changing. Patience could not tell whether or not he believed her, nor even whether or not he understood a single thing she was saying. “I did not want to put my work into The London Chronicle at first, I assure you,” she continued, coming a little closer to him. “It was suggested to me by another, and the first one I offered was of your sister and Lord Milthorpe.”
“That had nothing written beneath it,” Lord Hastings interrupted, as Patience nodded quickly. “Why did you choose not to write anything there?”
A frustrated breath rushed out of her.
“As I have said, I did not write anything, Lord Hastings. If you wish, you can write to The London Chronicle and ask who it was that wrote those sentences about you! I promise you, with every truth of my heart, that I did not write a single word. I would not do such a thing, for I can see that those words have caused you pain and upset, and I have no cause to want those things to injure you.” A slight catch came into her voice, such was her determination to speak the truth and have him believe her. “I can understand that you have no other reason to believe me, aside from my telling you this, but my desperation to inform you of it must mean something, I assure you.”
Blinking quickly, and a little embarrassed that her eyes were now growing damp, Patience could do nothing but gaze into his eyes and silently pray that what she had said would have an effect. Lord Hastings stood stock still, his dark green eyes flickering with questions, perhaps questions that he was asking, and Patience held her breath, waiting for him to finally respond.
Eventually – and much to her surprise – he put his other hand on top of their joined ones and let out a long, steady breath before dropping his head. Then, with another breath, he lifted his gaze and set his shoulders straight before, finally, his lips curved just a little.
“I believe you, Lady Patience.”
“You do?” Patience, her relief overwhelming, took another step forward before stepping back again, mortified at the thought that had thrown itself at her – which was to fling her arms around his neck and hug him tightly. “I cannot tell you how much I am grateful for your trust in me, Lord Hastings.”
“I believe you because of your fervor, Lady Patience.”
Lord Hastings squeezed her hand and Patience, a flush on her face, smiled and then, after a moment, pulled her hand away. She had not really thought about what she was doing in holding Lord Hastings’ hand, and certainly had not intended to hold it for so long! In her fervor, as Lord Hastings had called it, she had not even noticed it. Now, she could only pray that he did not think her improper!
“I am sorry that I rushed towards you in such a way,” she said, only for Lord Hastings to chuckle.
“Given the way I rushed towards you at the ball, Lady Patience, you have no reason to apologize. I am the one who ought to apologize to you, which I shall do at this very moment.” Putting one hand to his heart, he bowed towards her. “Forgive me for how I demanded to speak with you at the ball, Lady Patience. I was upset and, truth be told, quite angry at what had been said.” He winced, looking away. “Not because there was no truth in it, as Lord Milthorpe has reminded me, but because I have found myself a little… less than pleased with society of late. I felt as though this was yet another way for them to whisper about me, reminding me of all that I have come to dislike about the ton . Though I am glad to hear that you had nothing to do with it, Lady Patience.” He smiled, a brightness coming into his eyes which Patience had never seen before, making her heart jump in her chest. “Your work is quite remarkable. I know that my sister and Lord Milthorpe were both quite taken with your drawing of them. You captured something there that has given them a lot of hope.”
Patience did not understand why hope was something that was needed in the seemingly happy betrothal between Lord Milthorpe and Miss Spearton but, all the same, she smiled at Lord Hastings, glad to hear the kindness in his voice.
“Thank you for your trust in me, Lord Hastings. It means a good deal to me to have you believe what I have said. You cannot know of the strain that bore down upon me when I realized what you thought! It is not at all as you believed, and I am greatly relieved to know that you can see that now.”
“I can.” With a smile, Lord Hastings gestured to the door. “Are you here with your mother and sister?”
“And Eleanor, my cousin,” Patience answered, her heart beginning to slow from what had been a very frantic rhythm indeed. “And you? Are you here with your sister?”
He shook his head.
“No, I came alone.”
“Ah.” Her smile grew as she realized his reason for stepping into such an establishment. “Then you must be seeking out a gift for her.”
Lord Hastings laughed softly, confusing Patience for a moment, only for him to nod. “Yes, yes, that is my only reason for being in such a place as this. For my mother too, mayhap, for the betrothal ball is soon to be upon us and I now think it would be very fitting for them to both receive a gift from me.”
“I am sure that they would very much appreciate any sort of kindness from you in that regard, yes.”
With a small tilt of his head, Lord Hastings seemed to consider for a moment before, with a slight lift of his shoulders – as though he had not been certain about something – he smiled.
“Might you be willing to advise me, Lady Patience? I confess to knowing very little about such things as this.”
With a grand sweep of his hand across the shop, he looked back at her, a hopeful glint in his eye.
“But of course!” Delighted to have been asked and seeing it as his way of assuring her that he took every word that she had said as truth, Patience turned to look at the many ribbons, buttons, lace, and more within the shop. “I would be more than delighted to help you. I am sure that we will be able to find something quite lovely that both your mother and your sister will adore.”