Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,56

then to awaken this morning with a sense of determination growing within her heart. She had decided to hear it all from Lord Richmond’s lips in the hope that everything Lord Swinton had said was true, even though the thought of seeing Lord Richmond again had sent a deep sense of unease all through her. But she had been proven right in her judgments, for Lord Richmond had appeared and explained it all just as Lord Swinton himself had done.

Rebecca had felt her heart begin to heal itself again, had felt her sorrow and pain begin to purge itself from her soul, and in its place came a steady resolve that she would rid Lady Kensington’s hold on both her and Lord Richmond’s lives. She wanted that freedom, she realized, to know she was entirely free to do as she wished, to act as she pleased, and to consider whomever she wished.

And it had been that thought that had led her to realize just what Lady Kensington wanted.

“I have been foolish, mayhap,” Lord Richmond rumbled as the carriage took them back towards his townhouse. “Perhaps I should have opened up these packages. Perhaps I should have discovered immediately what it was I had purchased on her behalf.”

“You did not do so, however,” Lady Hayward interrupted, “because you were doing all you could to protect those you care for. That is not something to criticize yourself for, Lord Richmond. Rather, it is something that you ought to be commended for.”

Rebecca smiled at Lady Hayward’s encouraging words, seeing how Lord Richmond looked back at her as their eyes met. There had been such despair in his expression when he had first walked into the room, but now none of that remained. Instead, there was a new light in his eyes, a light that spoke of hope and relief and happiness. Happiness that Rebecca hoped would only grow and expand, so that it might fill both of their hearts together, bringing them close as one.

It did not take long for the carriage to reach Lord Richmond’s townhouse, and, hurrying inside, Rebecca was led to Lord Richmond’s study—although he apologized profusely for doing so as though they expected him to stand on ceremony and conduct them to the drawing-room where they might take tea together. She laughed and shook her head, telling him that there was no great concern as to where they went and that they only wished to see these particular parcels. Lord Richmond smiled at her, her cheeks a little flushed, before asking them all to sit down whilst he found them.

“And you say that they were already waiting for you?” Lady Hayward asked as Lord Richmond opened up a drawer and took out one box and one small parcel that was wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. “You had to purchase them, however?”

Lord Richmond nodded, biting his lip. “I am to make arrangements with Lord Bellingham and give the items to him,” he said slowly. “Although I cannot understand why.”

“Most likely because you cannot meet with Lady Kensington and give them to her yourself,” Lord Swinton suggested gruffly. “She wants them, whatever they are, and for some reason wishes you to purchase them for her, and, thereafter, to make certain that they reach her hands by giving them to another willing gentleman.”

Rebecca wrinkled her nose. “I have conversed with Lord Bellingham,” she recalled as Lady Hayward nodded. “I confess that I found him to be…quiet.” She frowned. “He said very little and was very difficult to converse with.”

“He does not have a strong character,” Lady Hayward agreed slowly, “which might make him very easy indeed to manipulate.”

Rebecca let out a slow breath and nodded, whilst Lord Richmond frowned, looking down at the two items. She felt her tension rise as he turned his attention to the box, which was also tied with string.

“This was the first I collected and paid for,” he said, trying to undo the knots rather than cut the string itself. “It certainly is a little heavier than the second.”

Rebecca watched with growing impatience as his fingers attempted to tug at the knots, making such a hopeless mess of it that she found herself on her feet, walking towards the study table.

“Please, allow me,” she said, pulling the box towards her and looking carefully at the knot that had been tied securely. With deft fingers, she tugged at it gently, managing to undo it in a very short space of time. Lord Richmond chuckled as