Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
With quiet steps, Honora crept to the servant’s entrance of the Stantons’ townhome. She wore the darkest gown she owned, one of low quality in case she needed to blend in with her surroundings. To complete her disguise, she wore a bonnet over her hair to hide the style beneath.
A familiar thrill ran up her spine as she pressed her shoulder to the door, listening to the happenings on the other side. It seemed quiet, so she turned the handle. It was supposed to be left unlocked for her, and just as Leonard had said it would be, the handle turned beneath her grasp.
Leonard had said in his letter that he would do his best to keep as many of the servants occupied while she snuck Samuel out.
In truth, she wasn’t sure why she was needed other than helping Samuel down the stairs if he seemed to be struggling.
It was suppertime, so most kitchen hands should be downstairs at work.
Leonard had said Samuel would claim fatigue and go to his room early while Leonard kept his parents busy in the front room.
The only one they knew to be leaving for the evening was Leonard.
Honora slipped inside and immediately made for the back stairs.
In the letter, Leonard had drawn a quick sketch showing the floor plan of the townhouse, and she had committed it to memory.
Once she made it up the stairs, she hurried down the hall to the second door on the left and gave three gentle raps.
Within seconds, the door opened, and a smiling Samuel greeted her.
“Are you ready?” she asked, looking over her shoulder.
With a smile of determination, he nodded and joined her in the hall, holding a walking cane in his right hand.
“You can’t use that just yet,” Honora said, offering her arm. “It will be much too loud on the stairs.”
“That is what you are here for, isn’t it?” He linked his arm through hers, and she held some of his weight as they made for the stairs.
She took his cane in her free hand before they descended so he could hold the rail for further stability. They took their time, and when they made it to the bottom, he was breathing slightly heavier.
“Are you ready to get to the back door and out to my carriage? Or do you need a moment?”
He took a deep breath, then looked at her for a moment before nodding. “I’m ready.”
Honora glanced around the corner, and when she saw the corridor was empty, she led them forward toward the door. Samuel grabbed a jacket which had been left on a peg by the rear entrance, and then they made their way outside.
“Here.” Honora handed him his cane, and he immediately put it to work as they did their best to hurry to her awaiting carriage.
“This is ridiculous,” he said, laughing. “It’s like we are criminals.”
She could not help her laugh. He hardly knew the half of it.
Honora’s coachman opened the door for them, and Samuel held his hand out to help her in. Samuel took a seat across from her. His breathing seemed a bit quicker, but as Honora studied him, he shook his head.
“I’m fine. And I will get a rest while we wait for Leonard.”
“Speaking of which.” She knocked a hand on the roof, and it jerked into action. They ambled down the road to where she had agreed to meet Leonard to switch conveyances.
Honora watched Samuel, her eyes trailing over him and taking note. His hands were clasped tightly over his stomach, and he stared out the window with a clenched jaw.
“Nervous?” she asked.
His head jerked toward her, but he didn’t answer right away. “I am.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but he cut in.
“But mostly excited.” And then his smile returned, and she was momentarily stunned by just how handsome he was.
Yes, there was a sallowness beneath his eyes that bespoke of ill health, but his eyes themselves were quite catching, as was his bright smile.
And while she could see a faint similarity to Leonard, his coloring was overall lighter.
“You will have to pace yourself tonight,” she said. “Looking as handsome as you are, you are sure to draw a lot of attention. We don’t need you overexerting yourself.”
He dipped his head with a bashful grin. “I doubt that will be a problem.”
The carriage rolled to a stop, and shortly after, the door opened, letting in a cold breeze. Leonard stood in the opening, his face lit with a mischievous smile. He wore his black evening attire, and she had to unstick her tongue from the roof of her mouth.
Her heart didn’t stand a chance with that man. Being the one to bring out those rare smiles was an experience she now seemed to chase.
Then his smile fell, and his eyes widened. “Let’s go!”
“Oh, right.” She cleared her throat, then stepped out. They made their way to the Stantons’ carriage, and Honora spun back and grabbed a satchel from the trunk of her own conveyance.
“Can’t forget this,” she said, lifting it in the air. Leonard took it from her, then helped them all in.
The ride was quiet. Leonard’s leg tapped away, and she nearly put her hand on it to keep it from bouncing so much. But that seemed a bit too far, even for her.
“It will be all right,” Honora said. “The worst of it is over.”
“No, the worst of it will be getting Samuel home without my parents catching wind. And,” he continued, crossing his arms, “you aren’t even invited. I don’t even dare to imagine how you plan to get in there.”
“Don’t worry about me,” she said. “I will manage just fine.”
“But I do worry about you.” His dark brown eyes flicked over to her.
She huffed. “What’s the worst they can do? Throw me out?”
“Perhaps.”
When they neared the estate, the carriage slowed to a stop. Honora went to open the door, and Leonard clasped his hand over hers. “Be smart, Honora.”
“When have you ever known me not to be?” With that, she pushed the door open and stepped out into the dark. She reached back into the carriage and took the bag Leonard held out to her.
Once she shut the door, the coachman snapped the reins—and they were off.
Honora made for the back of the home, which stood with stately windows, each with its own candle lighting them for its guests.
She acted for all intents and purposes as if she had every right to be there.
That’s what most people didn’t realize. Half the battle was simply giving off the air that you were exactly where you were supposed to be.
After a moment, she was safely in the home, having entered through the servants’ quarters.
She wove through a hall until she came upon an unoccupied room, then slipped inside and into the gown she had stowed in her bag.
It was specifically designed for such a cause, having a ribbon that she only had to pull to cinch the back herself.
After tucking her bonnet and modest dress inside her bag, she tucked her belongings under a sofa.
Now dressed as a lady attending a ball, she made her way toward the main quarters of the home.
The room was outfitted in grandeur—chandeliers lit with hundreds of candles, casting everyone in a flattering glow.
Leonard had said he would be situated by the doors to the terrace.
Her eyes trailed over the room until her gaze caught on the large glass windows on the opposite side.
And there, just in front of them, stood Leonard and Samuel.
She pulled her shoulders back and strode over. When she drew close enough, Leonard’s eyes skimmed past her, only to jerk back and rivet upon her. As she came closer, his eyes trailed over her.
“Good evening,” Leonard said, his voice low. “You’ve made quite the appearance.”
“Oh?” She looked over to Samuel, who was gazing over her shoulder. “Is something amiss?” Twisting her head to look at the back of her gown, she tried to see if anything was out of place after her hurried change.
“No,” Samuel said, smiling. “You’ve only caught a bit of attention.”
“That is less than ideal,” she continued. “My presence here cannot be found out. I was not invited.”
“Then perhaps you should have worn something less becoming,” Leonard said. “Though even then I’m sure you would have drawn attention.”
“Are you teasing me?” she asked.
He raised a brow. “Not in the least.”
Running a self-conscious hand over her dress, she did her best not to look around—something that was incredibly difficult for her, since she always wanted to know what her surroundings were and to look for a quick escape if need be.
But she needed to look as if she belonged there, and nervously glancing about would not help her cause.
“Perhaps we should switch places then. I will stand by the windows and you can cover me with your body.”
His eyebrows hitched further.
Doing her best to be discreet, she gently took his arm and spun him around as she walked to the door and turned to face him. It was so smooth, almost like a dance. His hand slid down her forearm just before he released her.
“Now, what would you like to do, Samuel,” Honora said, strangely out of breath. Goodness, what was wrong with her? “This is your night, after all.”
His brown eyes flitted about the room, his mouth forming a small smile, almost as if it were ever present on his face. It was a natural look for him.
“Just watching, honestly. It’s been ages since I’ve attended a ball.”
“How long?” Honora asked, keeping an eye out in case someone decided to approach them, and she needed to busy herself with something.
Samuel took a slow breath. “Probably six years.”
“Well,” she said, looking at a young woman approaching with her mother. “It seems you have already gained some attention.”
Brow scrunching, Samuel looked toward them. “That’s Mrs. Birks, and, presumably, one of her daughters.”
Leonard looked behind him, observing their approach. “One of their recently available daughters,” Leonard mumbled.
“Let us see who they are here for,” Honora said with a grin.