Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,48

is just there,” she said eventually, indicating a door that was only a short distance from Rebecca. “That door leads you to a hallway, and to your immediate right is the correct door.” She bit her lip. “I will have a footman accompany you, I think. You will return at once?” Beckoning to a nearby footman, she quickly explained what she required him to do.

“Of course,” Rebecca promised, following after the footman and quickly hurrying through the guests and towards the small parlor. Pushing open the door, she was relieved to find Lady Hayward’s lady’s maid coming towards her at once. Indicating the rip to her gown, Rebecca sank down into a waiting chair and let the maid take care of her gown.

“There you go, miss.”

Rebecca looked down at her gown with both satisfaction and relief, glad that the maid had been able to assist her. “Well done,” she said, barely able to see where the rip had been and noting how a blush came into the lady’s cheeks as she stood with her hands clasped tightly in front of her and a small smile on her face. “You have done very well. I will make certain to tell Lady Hayward of your hard work.”

“Thank you, my lady,” the maid replied, leaving Rebecca free to rise to her feet and make her way from the room. Stepping back into the hallway, she saw the footman waiting for her, his back towards her as he looked out at the guests. Rebecca was about to make him aware of her presence, only for something to catch her attention.

She could not quite say what it was—a sound, perhaps, a creak or a whisper—but whatever it was, Rebecca turned her head and frowned. The sound came again, a quiet laugh that echoed down the hallway towards her, and, instantly, Rebecca knew she should not linger. She ought to tell the footman she was ready to return, ought to inform him that she needed to go back at once to Lady Hayward. After all, had she not promised that she would do so? Her heart quickened within her as she heard a low rumble of a voice come down towards her, her cheeks heating furiously as she lingered, unable to explain why she stayed so.

“Come now, Richmond.”

The words were a little clearer now, and Rebecca stiffened, her whole body frozen in place, her mouth a little ajar from where she had been going to speak to the footman. Lord Richmond was behind her? And just whom was he with?

Her heart still pounding furiously in her chest, Rebecca turned on her heel and began to make her way up the hallway. She knew very well that she was not doing as Lady Hayward had asked, knew she should return at once, but the mention of Lord Richmond’s name had thrown all sense from her. The door behind her opened, admitting a few ladies into the hallway who all went into the small parlor, their voice echoing up towards her and permitting Rebecca to hurry forward without her footsteps being overheard. The hallway split to the right and to the left, and Rebecca slowed her steps, not certain where she ought to go.

And then she heard the voice again.

“Lady Kensington, I have done all that you asked.”

Her eyes closed, and Rebecca pressed herself against the wall, fear and dread clutching at her heart.

“I know, but there is still more that must be done,” she heard Lady Kensington say, her voice dripping with honey. “You cannot turn away from me now, not after all you have done for my sake.”

Rebecca shuddered, not wanting to think about what such a thing might mean. Lord Richmond had told her he was free of guilt, that he had not done as the ton whispered, but was she wrong to believe him? From what she heard, it seemed that she had been quite mistaken. Turning blindly, she hurried down the hallway and back towards the footman, tears beginning to blind her vision.

“Take me back,” she whispered, the footman turning around quickly, evidently surprised she was there. “Take me to Lady Hayward at once.”

The footman nodded and made to step forward, only for Rebecca to hear someone calling her name.

“Lady Rebecca?”

She half-turned, only to shake her head and gesture for the footman to step forward.

“Lady Rebecca, please!”

Recognizing Lord Richmond’s voice, Rebecca blinked back her tears and turned around and looked at him, keeping her head high and her chin lifted.

“Lord Richmond,” she said,