Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,44

return his gaze to Lady Hayward, his smile dropping from his face as he took in the dismay on hers.

“Indeed,” he remarked as Lady Rebecca dropped her head. “Might I ask with whom?”

“With Lady Kensington,” came the reply. She studied him for some moments, leaving Jeffery wondering if Lady Hayward was about to criticize him in some way, to ask him if he knew anything about this particular encounter, only for Lady Hayward to sigh heavily and drop her gaze for a moment.

“I was wrong to judge you so harshly the first time we met,” she said, eventually lifting her gaze to his and giving him a small smile. “Lady Kensington is much worse in her character than I had ever expected, and, for my lack of judgment in this matter, I apologize.” She bobbed a quick curtsy before lifting her chin again to look up at him steadily. “I was persuaded by the whispers of gossip I overheard. But it seems that Lady Rebecca’s judgment in this was quite correct.”

“Please.” Jeffery held out one hand, a small smile on his face. “There is no need to explain, Lady Hayward. You were doing your best for your charge, and I could never hold that against you.”

Lady Hayward smiled back at him, a look of relief on her face. “You are most generous, Lord Richmond,” she said before turning to join the other conversation with Lord Swinton.

Jeffery turned his gaze towards Lady Rebecca, finding that the tight band that had formed across his chest when Lady Hayward had first spoken immediately beginning to loosen.

“How are you this evening, Lord Richmond?” Lady Rebecca asked, her expression gentle. “It seems that we are not to have the pleasure of dancing after all.” She held up her dance card and gave him a rueful smile. “It seems that Lady Hayward’s intention to introduce me to as many gentlemen of the ton as possible has succeeded.”

He tried to laugh, but the sound stuck in his throat, for something within him began to worry that she might then discover another gentleman to take interest in. Why was it that he felt such a thing when he had only just told Lord Swinton that he would not be able to encourage anything further between himself and Lady Rebecca? He knew he could not do so. In fact, he was foolish just to think of it—but the thought would not leave him.

“Perhaps another opportunity will present itself,” he found himself saying as Lady Rebecca’s smile grew. “I should very much like it if there was to be such an opportunity, Lady Rebecca.”

“As would I, Lord Richmond,” she replied, a little breathlessly. “I am very glad that you have been happy to welcome me into your company, albeit for a short time.” Her eyes searched his as her smile remained. “I do hope you are encouraged by it.”

“Your company is always encouraging, Lady Rebecca,” he said honestly. “It is a brightness pushing aside the dark clouds. It is a beautiful song that chases away my melancholy. All in all, Lady Rebecca, your company and your willingness to seek my company for yourself has been a great encouragement to me, and one that I do not think I could do without.”

He had said a great deal, he realized, seeing the gentle pink that rushed to her cheeks as she held his gaze. He had spoken openly, had told her of his heart, and had found a way to express all that he felt without hesitation. And yet it had been words of great meaning, that told her she was of such importance to him that he did not know how he would be able to continue on within society without her.

Jeffery swallowed hard. Perhaps he had said too much.

“Do you truly feel such a way, Lord Richmond?”

He could not deny it now. He could not take back what he had said and pretend it was not so. She was asking him to speak the truth, to confirm to her what he had said, and the opportunity was now before him to do precisely that. What the consequences would be of such truths, he did not know, and part of him did not want to take the risk of speaking when he could not be sure of what would happen next.

But his heart yearned to do so. The desire to tell her all that he felt at present was within him, burning up slowly until he felt as though he had