He smiled down at her and she returned the expression even as her cheeks became pink.
“I came out here to determine if you were well, you know,” he said, stepping away so that she wouldn’t feel too much pressure.
She laughed. “I’m certainly better now. But I do appreciate it. I must have looked like quite the fool to the rest by rushing out as if I’m the only one to be affected by this news.”
He wrinkled his brow. “You are not responsible for anyone else’s feelings. And I doubt anyone begrudges you yours. This is a very difficult situation.”
“But Abigail and Pippa don’t want to see me fall apart, not when they have their own feelings and reactions to manage,” she insisted.
He cocked his head. “Then tell me. Pour it out on me and I promise you it won’t break me.”
Her lips parted. “That’s asking too much of a stranger.”
He swallowed, trying not to feel the sting of the truth. “What about a friend?”
“You would be my friend?” she asked after a hesitation that seemed to fill a lifetime.
“I would.”
She bent her head, and it was as if he could see every bit of the weight that bore down on her slender shoulders. See that she had carried it all for almost her entire life. That she couldn’t let even a small portion of it go, for fear it would misbalance everything.
“I had…hopes,” she said at last. “That I could stay here. That I could build a life. I was foolish to think that the facts of Erasmus’s actions wouldn’t circulate through Society, through everything. I was foolish to think I wouldn’t burn on the pyre of that scandal.”
He pressed his lips together. “We don’t know the future, Celeste. You do not yet burn, so let’s not plan for your social funeral just yet.”
“But—”
He shook his head. “Let us take the time to try to work it out. There are a dozen paths before us now. We’ll narrow them down.”
She sighed. “When you say it, I can almost believe it.”
“Good.”
She held his gaze a moment and then blushed again. “I told you before that I had information for you. Is now a good time to share it?”
“You are singular,” he teased, and loved how her lips fluttered in that smile. “But I still don’t think now is a good time. Why don’t we get out? Air will do you good. We can see a bit of London and you can tell me everything you know after your night with Phillipa and Abigail.”
Her eyes went wide. “Truly?”
He blinked at her utter disbelief, and ached for the life that must have caused so much of it. “Yes. Celeste, I promised you I’d show you the sights of the city. I don’t lie. Now come, we’ll tell the others.”
She caught his arm and followed him back into the house. And he tried not to think too hard about why it meant so much to make her happy. Why he wanted to keep doing it, over and over, until she smiled more than frowned.
Chapter 9
Celeste had felt the curious stares of her new friends when Owen announced that they were going to escape for a turn about Town. She had seen the slight exchange of a look between the duke and the earl, as well. A knowing stare that she might have been offended by if she hadn’t been kissing Owen passionately just a short time before.
But now she stood on the drive alone with Owen, waiting for his rig to be brought around, and she pushed all that from her mind. What did it matter what anyone thought? She was going to see London at last.
The phaeton that was brought to the step made her eyes go wide. It was a fine model of the rig, probably very expensive. The top was pushed back so the riders could enjoy the summer sunshine that almost seemed a gift from the gods. The two matching chestnut horses seemed to vibrate with as much excitement that they would be allowed to draw such a thing as she felt in being able to ride in it.
“You brought a phaeton?” she gasped as Owen took her hand and helped her up into the high vehicle.
He came around to the driver’s side and clambered up himself. Once he had taken his seat, he turned to look at her. “Yes. I promised we would do this. Even before we…talked on the terrace, I thought today might be a good day