Chapter Seven #2
“Uncle George, I imagine. He visited us in Paris.”
“Do you think he might know something?”
“He and Father were closeted in the bookroom for hours. Within days, we returned to England. Father went to see someone in the British government before we left London.”
“Did he say who it was?”
“No.” She sagged against him.
He slipped an arm around her waist and stood to help her to her feet. “You’re exhausted. You must go to bed. There’s nothing more we can do about this now.”
“Yes, you’re right, Jack. I only hope Uncle George is safe.”
“There’s a good chance he is,” Jack said. He didn’t believe Lord Caindale was at risk. Whatever his involvement, Jack hoped for a chance to speak to him.
*
Perhaps it was the freedom of leaving home and beginning a new chapter in her life.
Perhaps it was Harry’s amusing company. Although careening from trepidation one minute to wild enthusiasm the next, Erina remained glad of her decision.
She was pleased too that she’d not been tempted to bring Tilly along.
The maid was a timid soul who could create a fuss, and without her, Erina slipped from the house unimpeded before the servants were up and was greatly relieved to find Harry waiting with the curricle at the end of the lane.
The journey proceeded without mishap, and three hours later, they had left the city far behind. Now, Harry slowed his pair of grays and threaded his curricle through the gates of Ivywood Hall. “You haven’t changed your mind?” he asked. “Not too late to await me at a hostelry.”
“No.”
As the pair drove down the avenue, the grand mansion appeared, twice the size of Erina’s home, which wasn’t small. A flotilla of gardeners labored among aged trees in leafy splendor.
She watched them working as they drove past. “The marquess and marchioness’s gardeners must lop off an unwanted leaf as soon as it grows.”
“Mm. Impressive.”
A footman in puce-and-gold livery came out the front door, followed by the butler. Behind them, Captain Ryder appeared.
He came forward as the footman assisted her down from the curricle. “Lady Erina. What a pleasant surprise. Am I to offer my felicitations?”
“Good day to you, Jack. No, we are not wed. Erina and I are on our way to Holyhead,” Harry explained. “She is traveling as my cousin, as she wishes to visit her family in Ireland.”
The captain’s dark brows rose sharply. “Your cousin and you’re traveling alone?”
“Er…yes. It is important to Erina, who is concerned about an Irish relative.”
“Perhaps we can discuss this later. I’m sure you’re both in need of a libation,” the captain said as he ushered them along the drive.
Harry jerked his head toward the mansion. “Not exactly what you had in mind when you set off on your adventure, is it?”
“Not precisely.” The captain grinned and shook Harry’s hand. He was so handsome that for a moment, she could only stare. The width of his shoulders, his height, and his eyes, like sunlight on a deep lake.
“Thank you for making a detour to provide me with evening clothes,” he said. “I was planning to stay another few days, but as the magistrate has nothing new to tell Lady Butterstone, I cannot be of any help.” He smiled. “I’ll be extremely pleased to wear these this evening, however.”
The footman unloaded their luggage, and a groom appeared from the stables to see to the curricle and horses.
Captain Ryder introduced them to the butler, who led them through the two-story entry hall into a dazzling blue and gold reception room.
“Would you send word to Lady Althea that my guests have arrived, Billings?”
When they were seated, Captain Ryder turned to Erina, startling her while she surreptitiously studied him. “So, you have family in Ireland?”
“Yes, Mr. Feather has kindly offered to drive me to Holyhead.”
The captain looked at Harry. “Remarkable.”
Harry shrugged. “Isn’t it?”
Captain Ryder rested his big hands on his knees. “I must say I’m intrigued to learn why a judicious fellow like Harry has been persuaded to take you, Lady Erina.”
She stiffened, disliking his tone. “Because he did not wish me to go alone.”
Captain Ryder turned to Harry, who was busy smoothing his cravat.
“Remarkable,” the captain said again. “Not an elopement? You travel in the wrong direction for Gretna Green.”
“I can understand your surprise,” Harry said. “I wonder at it myself.”
“But I suspect Lady Erina could be quite persuasive,” Captain Ryder said with a faint grin.
“Precisely,” Harry said.
Erina frowned. “Please do not speak as if I were not in the room. My father and Harry’s were about to announce our engagement, but neither of us wished to marry… so I decided to remove myself from London before it could be announced.”
Captain Ryder’s dark eyebrows peaked. “You two don’t wish to marry?”
She reddened. “We both abhor arranged marriages. We wish to marry for love.”
A faint gleam brightened the captain’s eyes. The door opened, and a woman entered. She was probably the most beautiful woman Erina had set eyes on.
The men stood as she crossed the pink-and-blue Axminster carpet. Captain Ryder introduced her as Harry’s cousin.
“I’m delighted to meet you both,” said the marquess’s daughter. “You’ll spend the night, of course? I’ll ring for tea, or would you prefer wine?”
“I’d be most grateful for tea, thank you,” Erina replied.
“I know the captain prefers coffee.” Lady Althea’s smile warmed her beautiful, pale-blue eyes. For a moment, she and Captain Ryder gazed at each other.
So, this is what keeps him here, Erina thought.
He obviously didn’t like to find she and Harry traveling unescorted.
Did he think she would damage his friend’s reputation?
It made her even more guilty to see the censure in his eyes.
The captain was so very different to Harry.
A man accustomed to ordering his men about, he towered over one and when his black eyebrows snapped together, Erina suffered the need to explain herself.
But there was nothing she could say in her defense.
She looked across at Harry, whom she never wanted to hurt.
He was so different to his friend Captain Ryder.
They were chalk and cheese. Harry was calm, reasonable, and kind.
Why had he agreed to take her? He could have refused.
Most men would have. Erina felt heat rise up her neck, admitting to herself that she had asked too much of him.
She must tell him the truth about Cathleen despite her fear that he might turn against her.
And just when she’d welcomed the change in their relationship.
She hadn’t just come to depend on him, she enjoyed being with him and detected a hint of thawing in his attitude toward this escape, which he had so heartily disapproved of.
It thrilled her to think Harry might come to approve of her sense of adventure.