Page 92 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘We have something very serious to discuss, Simon,’ Maria said, her expression grave. For a moment he wondered if she had worked out he was suffering from the headaches. Maria was astute, and if anyone was going to uncover his secret it would be his sister-in-law. ‘Last night, in the gardens, someone saw you.’

It took a moment for the words to sink in, and he cleared his throat.

‘Who saw what?’

‘I had a visit this morning from Miss Elizabeth Cheevers and her mother. It was unannounced and horribly awkward. It would seem they were in the village to shop for some material for a new dress, and when they stopped at the haberdasher’s they overheard something disturbing.’

Simon sat a little straighter, his stomach sinking.

‘Go on.’

‘You were seen in the garden last night, kissing a young woman. By the description, it sounds like Miss James, but they did not have a name to attach to the rumours as yet.’

Simon felt the world tilt and judder around him for a second, and he had to grip the arms of his chair to steady himself.

‘This is bad, Simon,’ Maria said, biting her lip. ‘It is the talk of the village already, which means by tomorrow the whole county will likely know.’

‘They will not know who Miss James is. She kept her mask on the whole time.’

‘There are people out there who will make it their whole purpose in life to identify the young woman you were seen kissing. They will think it their moral duty.’

Simon stood and paced to the door and back, trying to order his thoughts. It would be easier if his head weren’t pounding so much. For him the consequences were minimal. At worst he would get some snide remarks and a few people avoiding him when he went out and about, but he was an earl and there was only a limited number of people who would dare be rude to him. Added to that, with his plans to leave England in a few weeks, it would hardly affect him.

Miss James was another matter entirely. There was a small hope that she would not be identified. As she was not an invited guest, she would not be the first person to be suspected, but with her distinctive red hair and pretty blue eyes he doubted she would stay hidden for long. He cursed his own stupidity of giving Lady Salisbury her real name, but last night in the moment of their hostess’s questioning he had not thought her name would matter.

He closed his eyes. This was the last thing he needed right now. His plans to leave England could not be disrupted.

‘Do not be so selfish,’ he muttered to himself, then turned to Maria. ‘Please excuse me. I have to try to put this right.’

‘You’re going to see her?’

‘I have to.’

‘People will be watching what you do and where you go.’

‘I can be discreet.’

‘I do not doubt it, but please be careful. I did not speak to Miss James for long, but she seemed a sweet young woman.’

Simon inclined his head and then strode from the room. There was no time to waste. He needed to get to Miss James before the gossip started circling.

Alice sat demurely, her hands folded in her lap and a serene expression fixed on her face, all the while trying not to burst into tears. Across the room her mother sat beaming at her and their new guest. Cecil Billington had been placed beside her on the sofa and had gradually inched closer until his knees were almost touching hers.

‘I think you would like Ensley, Miss James,’ Cecil said, smiling at her with his mouth full of crooked, yellow teeth. He reached out and boldly stroked the back of her hand as he spoke, and Alice had to use all her self-control to stop herself from pulling away abruptly.

‘It is a pleasant village?’

‘On the whole, yes. There are plenty of like-minded people to socialise with and a few decent shops. There are more poor people than I would like, but I am working with the other local landlords to raise the rents so we only get a certain class of people in the village. You cannot eliminate the lower classes entirely—we need somewhere for our servants and the people who provide the essential services for the village to live—but I have proposed a system to limit the numbers.’

‘Where will the people go who do not make the cut?’ Alice asked coldly.

Cecil shrugged. ‘That is not my concern. You understand the idea is to make the village a more agreeable place. A place where children can skip freely down the streets and women can walk without fear in the evenings.’

‘I thought you said it was a pleasant place already,’ Alice said and tried to ignore the warning look she received from her mother.

‘Let us not talk of Ensley,’ Cecil said, shifting ever closer. ‘I am very much looking forward to my stay here, Miss James. I hope you will allow me to accompany you on your daily business.’

‘Alice would like that very much,’ Mrs James said quickly.