Chapter Two #2
“A variety of things.” Tears welled in her eyes, making them soft and luminous.
One of her hands fluttered between her bodice and her stomach.
“People in society assume the worst then they speak those words into being. Those stories are manipulated into the truth, and that’s what everyone believes.
” Her breath became labored, while she clenched the fingers of her other hand into his sleeve.
“No one wants to hear the real story, for then what would there be to talk about?”
Was her reaction merely due to the after-effects of the attack, or was she more worried about the rumors or the doubt cast on her reputation?
Perhaps it didn’t matter. Once he located her people and handed her off, his responsibility to her would end.
“This is exactly why I avoid society every chance I have.”
“You are wise to do that.” She gave in to a whole-body shiver. “I’ve been away from the public eye for a few years, only back tonight because my cousin said it was best, yet…” A half-stifled sob escaped her throat. “I have a feeling it’s worse than I thought.”
“It usually is.” Despite the fact he would leave imminently, Gregory attempted to keep his body between her and the worst of the gawking guests.
“…how dare he bring a lightskirt here…”
“…no manners the pair of them…”
“…the state of her! Has she no pride…”
“Dear God.” Obviously, she’d heard the not so subtle whispers as well.
She stopped moving and seemed to shrink against the nearest wall.
“The night I decide to return to society and my reputation is already being shredded.” All color drained from her face.
“This is a nightmare,” she admitted in a barely audible whisper as the din in the corridor grew louder.
Bloody hell.
“Try not to think about them. They don’t matter in the grand scheme.
” The pause gave him an opportunity to study her.
In the gown of light blue with the glittering beadwork and the ivory satin wrap, coupled with her large brown eyes, she could have stepped out of storybook.
Except in the candlelight, stains, streaks of dirt, and a few tears and snags on her skirting were far too evident.
Not to mention the smudge of blood on his right glove from where he busted the attacker’s nose.
Oddly, a wave of protection welled for her even though he knew her not at all. “Let us find your cousin.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start.” When her chin trembled and she looked a bit green about the mouth, he feared she might cast up her accounts.
“Perhaps the drawing room—”
“Connie!”
Both her head and his turned toward the stairs where a woman around her age rushed down with her skirts held in her hands.
“Or we’ll rely on fate,” he added beneath his breath, for clearly that woman knew her.
“Good heavens, Connie, is the gossip that’s buzzing about true?
” The other woman bounced her gaze between them.
She had the same eyes as the woman he rescued but other than that, they didn’t resemble each other.
A gasp escaped her. “Did you and this man engage in scandal right there in the shrubberies of this house?”
If possible, the woman he currently shielded from prying eyes paled even more. “No, of course not!” When she stumbled, he put a hand around her upper arm for support. “That isn’t what happened.”
“You said your hem was torn.”
“It was!” The shivers racking her body transferred to him, and another wave of protection smacked into him.
“Yet look at you, mussed as if you’ve…” She cleared her throat as a blush stained her rounded cheeks.
“Well, you know.” The cousin roved her gaze over her.
“Your gown is torn and stained, and your hair is mussed. Additionally, your clothes are clinging scandalously. I suppose it’s true what they say about widows, hmm? ”
The woman who he only knew as “Connie” gawked at her cousin. “Do hush, Lydia. I was attacked after I untangled my hem from my slipper heel, and if you haven’t noticed, it’s raining. After I was dragged into the bushes, the rain seeped into my clothes.”
“Perhaps I can help.” He couldn’t listen to any more of this nonsense.
“I am Mr. Hamilton. Since I saw the attack from my carriage window, I jumped out then beat the bounder bloody before he rain off. Then I brought your cousin into the house to meet you.” It didn’t matter that he had no idea who either of them were, the truth needed spoken
“Seems a convenient, and quickly thought up story.” The cousin, clearly doubtful, crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “From what I heard, several people saw the two of you locked in an embrace in the shadows.”
“Bloody, bloody hell.” He shoved a hand through his hair, and only then did he realize he either left his top hat in the carriage, or it had fallen off during the scuffle.
Heat rose up the back of his neck as everyone in their immediate area stared.
“I did hold her in my arms, but for support because she was upset and was having trouble breathing properly.”
A bit of the confusion and irritation faded from the cousin’s expression. “Well, she does have terrible bouts of anxiety…”
“There you go.” The longer they conversed, the more he felt the weight of every pair of eyes on him.
Anger rose in his chest, hot and swift. “Perhaps I should take your cousin home. My carriage is waiting outside, which means you needn’t be inconvenienced.
” Heaven forbid this woman bother herself to tend to her cousin, who’d been assaulted and hurt just moments ago.
“Constance does look worse for wear.” The cousin glanced at the woman Gregory held upright as trembles racked her person.
She came forward and put a hand on the woman’s shoulder while peering into her eyes.
“Dearest, do you trust this man to carry you home? I rather doubt you’ve been introduced, and he certainly hasn’t done the same to me.
” She sent him a glance brimming with ill-will. “If you don’t, I’ll fetch my husband—”
“Don’t bother. You’ve looked forward to the rout for weeks.
” With a huff of annoyance, she nodded, and he admired the streak of strength she exhibited.
“Considering Mr. Hamilton?—” when she peered up at him, he nodded, “—is the only person who believes my story of what happened tonight, and since he was the one who defended me against the attacker, yes, I trust him.”
That small victory sent the warmth of satisfaction into his chest. Gregory nodded.
“Please call on your cousin tomorrow,” he told the curvaceous woman, then he removed his greatcoat.
“I’ll see her home in good time.” Seconds later, and with more annoyance than he should have for the scene they’d caused, he put the garment around the woman’s shoulders.
“Come with me. Society might not care what transpired tonight, but I do.” Which was odd, for he knew her not at all.
The evening he’d planned of relaxing at home suddenly seemed a million miles away.
Neither of them spoke again until they reached the pavement outside the townhouse where his carriage waited. As soon as Peter saw them, he was down from his perch in a thrice to open the door and put down the steps.
Only then did she glance upward and meet his gaze. “Thank you. I couldn’t bear one more moment of that horror.”
“I know how you feel.” It took no time at all to usher her to his vehicle then hand her inside. Once she settled on a bench, he asked, “What is your direction?”
Silence met his inquiry. The young woman closed her eyes and leaned back against the squabs, occasionally sniffling.
After handing her his handkerchief, he turned to his driver. “I have no idea where she lives or even who she is. Take us to my home. We’ll sort everything from there.” It was the height of scandal, of course, but it wasn’t as if they weren’t already in the fire.
“Of course, Mr. Hamilton.”
As soon as Gregory joined her in the carriage and settled onto the opposite bench, Peter closed the door behind him.
With a sigh, he peered at her through the gloom.
When it didn’t appear she wished to talk, he kept the silence with her.
The evening’s drama had further exhausted him, and at least for the ride through Mayfair, he would have the peace he craved.
I still need that drink, perhaps now more than before.