have yet another thing besmirching her name and bringing her fear and anxiety. It simply isn’t fair to her. She deserves so much, and yet the public gives her so little.”
“No offence is taken,” he said. “Anyone who cares for Margaret is worthy of my respect.”
“And do you?” she asked abruptly.
“Do I…?” he countered, confused by her meaning.
“Do you care for Lady Margaret?” she asked, as calmly as if she were enquiring after his thoughts on politics, or the latest fashion in France.
He was taken off-guard and felt heat rush into his face. He brought himself under control and answered quietly, “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
“I think you know exactly what I mean. I think you are only being coy,” she said. “I am wanting to know your feelings towards Lady Margaret, my dear friend. Do you hold her in romantic regard, or is there some other reason for your blind attempt to defend her honour?”
“It was not a blind attempt,” he said quietly. “It was calculated.”
“Yes, and I’m sure I would have been grateful to you if you’d taken Lord Waddington down a peg or two,” she said dismissively. “But do not think I have overlooked my original question. I am enquiring about your feelings towards my friend, and you are choosing to focus on the part of my question that related to a battle. It is a sly sidestep, but it will not work with me.”
“I am reluctant to answer a question that is so particular to matters of the heart,” he said. “You must know that it is the woman’s right to describe the degree of acquaintance, and I am not one to presume.”
“I did not ask what your mutual understanding was,” she said, clearly growing exasperated. “I asked what you felt towards her.”
He stared at her in silence, unsure how to answer without betraying his true feelings. “Pardon me, my lady,” he said quietly. “I do not wish to be disrespectful, but I am not as acquainted with you as you seem to think you are with me. I am not comfortable sharing the thing about which you are asking.”
She was clearly unused to being denied in matters of enquiry, and she blanched for a second. Then she smiled and leaned forward, nearly out of the window of the carriage. “Do you know what I think?” she asked. “I think you’re in love with her.”
He stayed silent, his heart beating a quicker beat.
Lady Hayton-Smythe sighed and sank back into her seat. “I see from your face and manner that I am right. I almost wish that I was not – I confess that I had hoped I was wrong. You see, Captain Bateson, if you really love Margaret then you must let her go.”
“I am not holding onto her,” he said drily. “I don’t know that anyone could keep Lady Margaret where she does not wish to be.”
“No need to get smart with me now. I am not playing any games,” the lady said quickly. “I am speaking facts that are true, and if you are to step away from yourself for a moment and think – really think – about the future, then you will know it to be true yourself. Lady Margaret is a fine woman and deserving of everything the world has to offer her, but she is a romantic at heart. Look at what she did with that little one, taking in a child that ruined her reputation and refusing to relinquish rights of the little one’s welfare even when the community turns against her. Whatever is proper and pragmatic, Margaret will always choose what is romantic.”
“I would say she chooses what is right,” Nigel said quietly.
“Perhaps, and there is further evidence of why you ought to listen to the perspective of someone who knows that what is right is not always what is best.” The woman in the carriage looked quite serious now, all trace of teasing and laughter gone from her face.
“I believe that my friend cares for you, and that is a great discredit to her. If you do not put distance between yourselves, she never will. She will remain loyal as she has remained loyal to the girl, even when it becomes apparent that the marriage is not in her best interest. Pursuing her will lower her position, Captain Bateson.”
Nigel took a deep breath. “You are speaking about a possibility as though it was an eventuality.”
“I know the way these things work, Captain,” she answered