Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,24

and a blaggard, whereas Lady Rebecca, the daughter of a Duke, seemed to believe him to be entirely innocent. It was both refreshing to hear and astonishing to consider, although a warning began to ring as he inclined his head towards her. There was an urge to speak to her further, to agree with her that yes, it was unfair and to express his willingness to try to find a solution to prove his innocence to all and sundry, but in doing so, Jeffery knew that he would be prolonging her time with him, which would, no doubt, soon attract the attention of others.

He had to bring this conversation to a swift end, for her sake.

“I will confess myself quite delighted with the fact that you believe me to be stating the truth when I say that I am not at all what the ton considers me to be, Lady Rebecca,” he said swiftly, “but there is, I am afraid, nothing that can be done. I must endure, that is all. I must show the beau monde that I am unafraid of their hard words, of their whispers and their rumors. Instead, I shall remain here with my head held high in the hope that, one day soon, the gossip will begin to fade away.” Shrugging, he gave her a wry smile. “That is all I can hope for, Lady Rebecca, although I thank you for your concern. It is very refreshing in the midst of my difficulties.”

She smiled, and Jeffery felt his heart squeeze gently as though he had found something that he wanted desperately to pursue but was being denied from doing so. Looking away from her, he cleared his throat and turned to Lord Swinton. “I believe I should excuse myself, Lord Swinton,” he said as his friend lifted one eyebrow. “It would be best, I think. If you could remain to ensure that Lady Rebecca is not—”

“Pray, do not trouble yourself, Lord Richmond.” Lady Rebecca’s voice was calm and clear, but when he turned to look at her, there was a glint of steel in her eye—although whether or not it was directed towards him for his eagerness to end their conversation, Jeffery could not say.

“I do not wish to trouble you further,” Lady Rebecca continued, “and I can see that you also are eager to protect my reputation, which, I suppose, I should be grateful for.”

Jeffery frowned, a question on the tip of his tongue as to why she might be displeased about his desire rather than being glad of it, but he restrained himself with effort. Now was not the time to continue speaking to the lady. Not when he was attempting to remove himself from her.

“I do hope we might speak again, Lord Richmond,” Lady Rebecca continued, her words astonishing him all the more. “Whilst the ton might believe you to be guilty of this particular crime, I find myself believing that you are not as they say.”

“You do not even know me, Lady Rebecca,” Jeffery stated, unable to keep silent. “How can you make such a judgment?”

Lady Rebecca considered for some moments, tilting her head just a little as she studied him. Jeffery swallowed hard, instantly regretting his question given just how intensely she was now studying him. There was something about her gaze that both unsettled and interested him, as if he were desperate to know what she thought and yet less than willing to ask.

“I do not know what it is, Lord Richmond,” came the quiet reply. “But there is something about you that speaks of guiltlessness.” One shoulder lifted. “But then again, mayhap I am entirely naïve and will be proven so.”

“You are not naïve,” Jeffery rumbled, a little overwhelmed by her words. “But all the same, Lady Rebecca, for your own sake—”

“Yes, yes,” she said, waving a hand. “Good evening, Lord Richmond. Lord Swinton.”

Lord Swinton inclined his head. “Good evening,” he murmured as she took her leave, turning back towards her father without a momentary glance back towards Jeffery. Shaking his head, Jeffery looked back at his friend, who was still watching after Lady Rebecca with a slightly astonished look on his face as though he could not believe what he had heard.

“If you were not in such a circumstance, Richmond, I would tell you to pursue that young lady with everything you possessed,” he remarked, turning his head to look at Jeffery. “She is quite remarkable!”

“Or very naïve, as she herself stated,” Jeffery replied, trying to push