back to his wife. Jeffery felt as though he were walking along a knife’s edge, waiting for judgment to fall upon him. Aware that Lord Millerton was watching this interaction and that, no doubt, the rumors about him would soon spread through all of society, Jeffery closed his eyes and prayed that it would not ruin his reputation. He could not have such a thing occur, not when the Season itself had only just begun!
“My dear little wife,” he heard Lord Kensington say, his voice soft with a tenderness Jeffery had not expected. “The wife I believed cared for me in the same way that I cared for her. The wife who has chosen to throw her affections towards any gentleman she chooses. The wife who has become the person I now begin to despise.” He shook his head and looked back at Jeffery. “I do not know what to believe, Lord Richmond,” he continued, speaking slowly so that every word had the impression of being carefully chosen. “My wife is inclined towards such things and has lied to me so many times before. But you, however, are an upstanding gentleman who, I expect, would be more inclined towards speaking the truth than falsehoods.” Pressing his lips together, he considered things a little longer with sweat breaking out on Jeffery’s brow. He wanted to speak up, wanted to defend himself a little more but could find nothing to say. Lord Kensington was clearly uncertain as to what to do or what to believe, and Jeffery, for the moment, could only wait.
“I think, Lord Richmond, that I must ask you to leave my house.”
Jeffery’s mouth fell open. “But I—I have not done—”
“Whether or not you have done anything, I cannot have a gentleman who was alone with my wife for a time continue to linger under my roof.” Lord Kensington’s voice was hard, his obvious upset now beginning to show. “I will ask you to depart at once, Lord Richmond.”
“My dear husband!” Lady Kensington’s voice was quietly pleading, her voice soft and her eyes turned towards her husband’s. “Lord Richmond has done nothing to deserve your wrath.”
“You would both have me believe that, but I, for one, am not at all certain,” came the harsh reply. “You have lied to me too many times, Cordelia. Lord Richmond may have a good character, but that does not mean he will not fall where other gentlemen have fallen also.” Clearing his throat, he turned his attention back to Jeffery. “If you please, Lord Richmond. I will have your carriage brought immediately. Good evening to you.”
Jeffery could find nothing to say. He wanted to protest, wanted to beg Lord Kensington to reconsider for fear that his reputation would be affected by what had occurred this night. But Lord Kensington was already walking away, his wife trailing alongside him and Lord Millerton walking only a few steps behind.
Closing his eyes, Jeffery dragged in a shaky breath, cursing himself and his foolishness. He ought never to have given in to his own compassionate nature. Had he not done so, he would now be sitting with the other guests, listening to some music and singing without a care in all of the world. Now, he found himself thrown from Lord Kensington’s house, asked to depart when he had done nothing worthy of such disgrace—but disgrace it was, and it would linger around his neck for some time to come. No doubt Lord Millerton would tell all and sundry of what he had heard, of what he had seen—if not adding a few extra details that would make things all the worse. Jeffery would barely be able to lift his head, such would be his shame!
But there was nothing to be done. The decision had been made. Jeffery now had nothing further to do but to depart from the house knowing that, by the time he awoke in the morning, everything would be very different indeed.
Chapter Four
Rebecca looked at herself doubtfully in the full-length mirror, whilst Lady Hayward watched closely, admiring the new gown and considering it from every angle.
“What do you think, Lady Rebecca?” the seamstress asked, clearly a little anxious. “Does it fit well?”
“Very well,” Rebecca admitted, considering it carefully. “It is only the color that I am a little unsure of.”
Lady Hayward smiled but said nothing, leaving Rebecca to continue to look at herself in the lovely gown. It was a very gentle green, which was an unusual color for those who were stepping out