Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,28

very least, you would prefer me not to engage with him to make certain that my reputation remains untarnished.”

Lady Hayward let out a long sigh and rubbed one hand lightly across her forehead. “And yet despite that, you appear to be quite fascinated with him,” she said softly. “There is an interest there that has not been present with any other gentleman.”

Knowing that it was pointless to even attempt to argue with this, Rebecca said nothing but held Lady Hayward’s gaze steadily, wondering if there was yet more for the lady to say. Would she continue to encourage her to remain away from Lord Richmond? Or was there any possibility at all that a further acquaintance might be possible?

A long sigh escaped from Lady Hayward as though considering what was next to do. The conversations continued on all around them but Rebecca remained silent, her heart quickening a little more as Lady Hayward bit her lip.

“I have always encouraged you to find a gentleman that strikes an interest in your heart, have I not?” Lady Hayward said eventually. “Why it should be this particular gentleman, I do not know, but there is clearly something about him that has captured your interest. Therefore,” she continued, a little more quietly, “I shall remain by your side and will permit you a further conversation with him this evening. Thereafter, I shall consider the matter a little longer.” A glimmer of a smile appeared on her lips. “Perhaps I was a little hasty in my judgment of him.”

Rebecca reached out and pressed one hand to Lady Hayward’s arm. “I am sorry,” she said honestly. “I do not know what it is about Lord Richmond that intrigues me so. It must be very frustrating indeed to have someone such as I as your charge!”

This brought a broad smile to Lady Hayward’s face. “Not at all, my dear,” she replied warmly. “Although I am glad that your sisters are not present this evening, else I do not think I should have been able to permit you such a thing!” She smiled and tilted her head just a little. “Shall we go and speak with him now?”

Rebecca nodded, and slowly, the two ladies walked together across the room. It took some minutes for them to reach Lord Richmond, who was, Rebecca saw, standing rather far away from the other guests and conversing quietly with their host. Rebecca saw how he shifted from foot to foot, how his gaze darted from here to there as though he were deeply worried about who might approach him.

“Good evening, Lord Richmond.”

Both Lord Merrick and Lord Richmond turned towards them at once, and Rebecca bobbed a quick curtsy, seeing the slight widening of Lord Richmond’s eyes as he lifted his head from his bow.

“Good evening, Lady Hayward, Lady Rebecca,” both gentlemen said before Lord Merrick, perhaps sensing that they wanted to speak to Lord Richmond, quickly took his leave.

“I must admit to being surprised that you wished to speak to me, Lady Hayward,” Lord Richmond continued quietly, looking at Lady Hayward directly. “Although I will not say I am not glad.”

Lady Hayward smiled and spread her hands. “I am, I confess, a little chagrined, Lord Richmond. I spoke harshly to you when I realize now I ought not to have done. I am, of course, doing all I can to protect Lady Rebecca’s reputation.”

“Most understandable,” Lord Richmond replied, finally looking towards Rebecca, who found a strange flurry of excitement rushing through her as she smiled back at him. “And yet you permit another conversation with me, Lady Hayward?” His eyes returned to Rebecca’s chaperone. “Is that wise?”

Rebecca found herself speaking before she realized what she was doing. “You are very kind to think of me with such consideration, Lord Richmond,” she said, aware of the warmth in her cheeks, “but as I have said, I am quite determined to believe your words rather than listen to the gossip that runs so wildly throughout London.” She smiled at him again. “I think you would appreciate a few more welcoming acquaintances, would you not?”

Lord Richmond chuckled, his face lighting up to reveal a most pleasant manner. His blue eyes appeared brighter, no longer the stormy gray she had seen only moments before. It seemed he would be glad of her company, and that made Rebecca feel all the happier.

“I would be very glad indeed, yes,” Lord Richmond agreed as Lady Hayward nodded slowly. “It has been trying, I will admit.”

“But it can be nothing