aware of the tremor in her voice. “I thought you absent this evening.” Her eyes narrowed just a fraction. “But it seems you were otherwise engaged.” Her throat began to ache as she held his gaze, seeing how he looked at her with wide eyes, perhaps only now realizing that she had overheard something. They stood there for a long moment, with neither one of them saying a word. Tears began to flood back into Rebecca’s eyes, and she blinked them back with effort.
“Lady Rebecca, I—”
Behind him, Rebecca suddenly saw Lady Kensington emerge from around the corner of the hallway, moving forward slowly towards them. As she drew nearer, Rebecca saw that there was a small, cruel smile cross her face. Her stomach dropped, her heart twisted painfully, and she turned away from Lord Richmond, no longer able to look at him.
“Please, Lady Rebecca!”
His hand caught hers, but she did not even look back at him. Instead, she wrenched away and walked back towards the footman, who quickly led her towards Lady Hayward. Rebecca did not look back, her heart aching and her eyes burning with tears. She had been wrong. She had been entirely mistaken. Lord Richmond was not who she believed him to be, was not the sort of gentleman she ought to have given her heart to. Lady Hayward had been correct to pull her away from him, and yet she had been the one to insist upon it.
Little wonder that Lord Swinton would not look at me earlier when I asked him about Lord Richmond’s presence, she thought to herself as the footman presented her back to Lady Hayward, who was now standing with Lady Anna and Lady Selina. He must have known that he was with Lady Kensington.
“Your gown looks quite perfect,” Lady Hayward said with delight as Rebecca blinked rapidly, trying to recall why she had left Lady Hayward’s company in the first place. “My maid has done very well.”
“Yes, yes,” Rebecca murmured, her mind feeling dull and heavy as she saw Lady Hayward frown. “I said I would inform you that she had done such an excellent fix, Lady Hayward. I am very pleased with it.”
“Lady Anna?”
A gentleman came to join Lady Anna, bowing and requesting her hand for this dance. Another came for Lady Selina, and Lady Hayward smiled and nodded, gesturing for them to take their places on the floor.
“You are not engaged for this dance, Lady Rebecca?” Lady Hayward asked as Rebecca looked back at her, her thoughts still muddled and her heart still painful. “Your card?”
It took a moment for Rebecca to lift her arm and pick up her dance card. “No,” she said, a little relieved that she would not have to pretend that all was well to another gentleman. “No, I am not.”
Lady Hayward stepped closer and put her hand on Rebecca’s arm. “Lady Rebecca, what is wrong?” she asked gently, looking into Rebecca’s face. “Something has happened, has it not?”
A single tear fell from Rebecca’s eye, and she brushed it away quickly, not wanting Lady Hayward to see it—but it was much too late.
“Oh, my dear,” Lady Hayward said softly. “Might you be able to keep your composure until this dance is completed? We can return to your father’s house at once.”
Rebecca shook her head, knowing just how disappointed her sisters would be. “There is no need,” she said hoarsely. “I will be myself in a moment.”
Lady Hayward eyes continued to search Rebecca’s face. “I do not think you will be recovered in a moment,” she said gently. “But if you wish to stay, then I cannot prevent you. Although I do think we should return home if you are upset, Lady Rebecca. To remain here could bring difficulties with it.”
“You speak of the ton,” Rebecca said, dropping her head and forcing her tears back with an effort. “You think they will notice my upset.”
With a small nod, Lady Hayward took in a deep breath and let go of Rebecca ‘s arm. “Your sisters will understand, Lady Rebecca. The gentlemen on your card will accept the notion that you have a headache or some such thing. There is truly no need to remain.”
But Rebecca shook her head again, quite determined that she would remain. Lord Richmond would not chase her from this place, would not be able to see her hurrying from the assembly because of his actions. No, rather, he would see her dancing and enjoying the remainder of the evening, even though it would