Chapter 15
Estelle
Ashort history lesson while walking the perimeter of the garden had been the perfect way to pass the time. Augusta seemed to enjoy the stories I told of past kings and queens and the various wars that shaped our country. Her attention did not wander the entire walk.
“I suppose that can be enough for today,” I finished, as we weaved around the many rose bushes. Rosemont gardens were full of their namesake, and I could see why Augusta could spend hours out of doors here.
“I am almost sorry for the lesson to end,” Augusta said, smoothing the white fur of her pet rabbit in her arms. “You must know, that does not happen often. You have an excellent storytelling voice. There is something lyrical about the tone.”
“Oh?” I teased. “Such flattery will get you everywhere with me.”
Augusta laughed. “I am in earnest. I cannot help but listen to every word. Mother will be delighted to hear you managed to teach me something after all.”
I raised one brow. “Many somethings, I hope.” We reached the side yard in time to see a carriage pull away from the front of the house. I followed its course with my eyes. “I did not realize your family had guests.”
Augusta shrugged. “Is he really a guest when he comes so often?”
“Who is he?” I asked, continuing our leisurely pace toward the back of the house.
“Our solicitor, Mr. Briggs. Atlas spends long hours in his office with him. I cannot imagine what they could possibly have to talk about for so long.”
“Could it be the secret business your mother referred to?” I should not have voiced my speculations, but Augusta was such easy company that sometimes I forgot my place.
Augusta smirked. “You have been here a week and already you are intrigued by my brother. Are you dishonoring the memory of the other man you daydream about?”
I wrinkled my nose. “I am intrigued by your brother’s business . . . whatever it is.”
Augusta gave me a wry look. “I cannot say anything about that, but if you want to talk about Atlas himself, I do know a few points on that topic.”
I scoffed. “Why would you assume I fancy him?”
Augusta met my glare with a pointed one of her own. “I noticed he flusters you.”
“Me?” My hand flew to my hip. I did not think she could be as vexing as her brother, despite the stories stating otherwise. I hoped she did not make me change my good opinion of her.
“Yes, you,” she reiterated, smoothing the rabbit’s ears and smiling like a mischievous cat.
“And if you were to like him, I would not mind. Only, I must warn you. He is a charming man, and you will be one of hundreds who have fallen for him. Not to mention he set his eyes on Miss Klein years ago. She is the daughter of Lord Hurst, a baron whose estate is not ten miles from here.”
“Are they engaged?” The question fell from my lips, but I found I did not want to take it back. I wanted to know. For curiosity alone, of course.
“Not yet.” Augusta raised the rabbit in her hands, pushing her face into the soft fur. “Nothing has been the same since his accident. Indeed, I have not seen him renew his affection these past six months. He’s changed in other ways too. I worry for him.”
“Perhaps he needs more time.” I felt the same way about my own struggles. Six months had only been long enough to magnify my cowardice and doubt my decisions.
Augusta shrugged, tucking the rabbit back into the crook of her arm. “He rarely smiles. Or at least that was the truth until you arrived. I think he finds you amusing.”
I groaned. “I thought we were speaking of Miss Klein.”
“Oh yes. I wonder if his limp keeps him from asking for her hand.”
“But it is so slight.” I had noticed it a few times in passing, but he hid it well.
Augusta agreed. “It has improved much in recent months, and I hope he will lose it altogether someday. When that happens, I imagine he will race to Miss Klein’s side.
Unless, of course, you capture his attention first. But it will take effort, mind you.
Those two have been sweet on each other since they were children. ”
I smoothed the fabric of my skirt, suddenly wishing I had a rabbit to hold. “Everyone assumes they will marry?”
“Naturally.”
I was sorry for his injury and that it held him back from pursuing love.
But I also had an intense and irrational longing to meet this Miss Klein.
Who was the woman who had captivated Lord Camden’s attention for all these years?
I had sensed the man’s easy charm. If my rescue was any evidence, he was a gentleman by nature.
Dinner last night had proved him to be a tease too, but since I was not the one marrying him, there was no reason to examine his qualities.
Augusta set her hand on my arm, snapping me out of my ridiculous chain of thoughts.
“Don’t let what I said keep you from your attraction toward my brother.
I am not around men much, thanks to my mother’s fierce guard, but I imagine there is no harm in fancying a dozen different men until you find the perfect one.
Besides, I never liked Miss Klein. She cares more about herself than anyone else. The opposite of you.”
I gave a sharp laugh. “Miss Augusta Wilde, you are a romantic.” I had not noticed this quality in her before, but now it was clear as blue sky. Linking my arms through hers, I conceded to her silly argument the only way I knew how. “I admit your brother is very . . . handsome.”
“Don’t I know it. The lucky man did not inherit these obnoxious freckles.” Augusta had a smattering on her face, but no more than others I knew.
“Your freckles are charming. As for your brother, handsome or not, I feel no attraction toward him beyond that at present. However, I appreciate your generous permission should I change my mind.”
Which I would not.
There was nothing that killed romantic inclinations more than thoroughly humiliating yourself in front of a gentleman. And I had done it thrice.
“Change your mind about what?”
I whirled around and came face-to-face with Lord Camden. “Where did you come from?” I blurted, my cheeks burning.
He shrugged. “The front door. I needed to stretch my legs.”
My eyes darted to the corner of the house we had walked by only minutes ago. How had we not heard him? After he had snuck up on us last night, I should have paid more attention.
“So what are you changing your mind about?” he repeated.
That cheeky smile should have been off-putting, and it was—mostly. It also made Lord Camden’s face light up as I had not seen it before. Why was it that handsome men were so hard to converse with? As it was, I could not think of a single excuse.
“We were thinking,” Augusta interjected, “about insisting you come to tea with us tomorrow.”
“Yes, tea.” My stilted words were as smooth as the gravel path beneath our feet. I would thank Augusta later for sparing me further humiliation.
“Ah, tea,” he repeated, eyeing me. Why did he stare at me so? Like he knew he had caught me in a lie? Wait. He couldn’t have heard me call him handsome . . . or had he?
He plucked a leaf off the rose bush beside us. “Tea sounds refreshing. I will join you.”
“You will?” Augusta’s surprise matched my own. “I thought you were leaving town again.”
He casually glanced around the grounds. “I had a few plans get moved around, which means I will need a different view by the morrow.”
“But you never join us,” Augusta hedged.
Good, Augusta! I silently cheered. Remind him why it would be silly for him to join the women for tea. I, for one, did not need his imposing presence.
Lord Camden was not a mind reader it seemed. “I am trying to amend my ways,” he said. “I should make myself more available to my family as Mother requested. An outing together would please her.”
My shoulders drooped.
“That is, of course, if it pleases the two of you as well.” Lord Camden looked from Augusta to me.
“You will be bored out of your mind,” Augusta said, “but it does not bother me one way or another.”
His eyes settled on mine. “What about you, Miss Lewis?”
I forced a smile. He was just a man. I would be married to one eventually—I hoped—so I could certainly handle spending an afternoon with one. “We would be happy to have you join us, Lord Camden.”
He studied me again. That unnerving stare of his seemed to analyze my answer, deciphering once more the truth from the lie.
“Excellent. Shall we walk together?” Lord Camden held out his arm to his sister, and I followed behind them.
“Excellent would not be my word for it,” I muttered under my breath.
Lord Camden turned and looked over his shoulder. “Did you say something, Miss Lewis?”
I gulped. “Nothing.”
“It was the bees buzzing,” Augusta said, covering for me once again. “They sound like voices, don’t they?” She shot me a look that told me to be more careful with my wayward habit.
But I soon forgot my embarrassment when I noticed Lord Camden’s gait and the barely perceptible limp.
I could not help but wonder about his horse accident, how long ago it had happened, and the pain he must have endured.
It reminded me of my stranger. Indeed, he almost had the look of him.
Lord Camden’s hair was a shade darker and at least two inches shorter.
And while he was over six feet tall, he might have surpassed Mr. Long.
I believed him to be leaner too. If I squinted, I could almost imagine them to be the same.
I quickly blinked away the image. I did not plan to mistake Lord Camden as I had our carriage driver and so many other men.
He was not one I should innocently daydream about, especially while I resided in his house.
If I was to think on anyone, it would be Mr. Long alone.
It was his leg I should be concerned for.
Indeed, I often wondered if it had fully recovered.
I believe the doctor thought it had broken in two places.
Did he limp now? Was he blind? Had his injuries kept him from confessing to a childhood love?
My stomach involuntarily tightened. I yearned to feel the connection between us again, but it was not right of me to pine for someone I would never see again. Yet, I could not help myself.
Why could I not let this man out of my heart?