The Matter of a Marquess - Jess Michaels Page 0,72
for a private party. Now we’ve exchanged information and you and your friend might help bring this to a conclusion.”
Suddenly she felt a warm hand on her back and jumped. While she’d been so engrossed in the terror of what Imogen might have involved herself in, Nicholas, Selina and Derrick had arrived. And while her anxiety had begun to ratchet up as Barber and the Willowbys talked, now she felt calm seep into her. Nicholas’s touch did that. That safe and warm feeling that no one could ever hurt her because he would always be there.
She found herself leaning into the strength of his palm, seeking the support she perhaps hadn’t earned, didn’t deserve. But she needed it.
There were introductions all around and the others repeated what they’d already told her about Imogen and the monsters who had been pursuing her.
When they were finished, Aurora sighed. “Imogen’s letter said that she was coming back to Town from wherever she’s been sequestering herself by Friday. She’ll tell me then where to meet with her. So we have a day or two to prepare.”
“Excellent,” Willowby said with a glance for his wife. “That gives us a few more days to finalize preparations. Mr. and Mrs. Huntington and Mr. Barber will make good partners in that.”
Aurora bent her head as the facts of this horrible thing hit her all at once. As if he sensed that, Nicholas caught her elbow, shoring her up before she collapsed under the weight.
“I think if you don’t need Lady Lovell anymore, I shall escort her back to her home since her maid was sent ahead,” he said.
“Of course,” Katherine said, shooting a look to the others before anyone could argue. She moved toward Aurora and bussed her cheek, whispering, “You’re exhausted. You can trust these people to work for your friend. Go rest.”
Aurora nodded, because it was all she could do in that moment. “Please contact me with anything I can do to help.”
“We’ll reach out to you tomorrow with more details of the plan,” Huntington said.
Nicholas said his goodbyes and then helped her back into her carriage. They turned onto the street and began the trip back to her little home. She flinched at the idea that he would see it and how far she’d fallen.
“You don’t have to see me home,” she said. “I’m sure you have a great deal to do now that you’re back in London. You have meetings to take, I think, regarding the matter of the title.”
“This takes precedence.” His voice was low and rough.
She turned her face away. So he would sacrifice his dream for her. Exactly what she didn’t want.
“Aurora,” he said softly. “It’s been three days of this. Please, won’t you tell me what changed? Why you’ve been pulling away, putting up the walls that kept us apart for so long? Haven’t I earned that trust after everything?”
She glanced at him, her lips parting. “It isn’t about a lack of trust,” she promised him.
He arched a brow and just looked at her. Waiting, patient and expectant, for her to do the one thing he’d asked of her and she’d avoided.
She cleared her throat and glanced out the window. They had at least a quarter of an hour before they’d reach her home. Perhaps this was best. She could tell him the truth, he’d understand, then he could just drop her off at her home and go on his way.
“You asked me for honesty a few days ago,” she said. “And I suppose I have been avoiding it because it might cause us both heartache.”
“I’d rather have the truth and suffer the consequences than live a lie,” he said. “I’ve learned that.”
She nodded. “Yes. I just hate to be the one that causes the anguish.”
He straightened his shoulders and his expression went blank and hard, like he was steeling himself for something horrible. “Out with it then. I can take pain.”
“I…overheard what Derrick said to you in his office a few days ago,” she admitted. When Nicholas’s brow wrinkled, she continued, “When he said that if you chose me, you might not be given the title. That my…scandal…might preclude you from the future you’ve wanted since your injuries.”
His lips parted. “Aurora. Bloody hell. I had no idea you heard that, I’m sorry.”
She held up a hand. “He wasn’t being unkind, I know that. I like him a great deal, I know he likes me.”
“He does,” Nicholas agreed.
“But he also wasn’t…wrong,” she whispered. “That was what stung me so harshly.