George shook his head. “No, not at all. I just see the way the lady looks at you, and I’d hate to see her hurt. She’s a very special young lady.”
“She is indeed, but Lady Harriet is not your concern,” Hartley said with a growl. He had no idea where this possessiveness had come from.
“Oh, but she is, and I can see she’s falling in love with you if she’s not there already. Do you not realize that?”
Hartley stood staring out into the dark. Was George right? Was Harriet in love with him? How could that be possible? They hadn’t known each other very long. Could he ever hope it was true? He had to admit he cared for her, but was it love? He had no idea. He’d never been in love before. It terrified him to open himself up to another being. He had such a low opinionof his self-worth that it was a revelation that Harriet could be enamored of him. “I’m not sure—”
“Jon, think about what I said. Think about what’s best for Lady Harriet; that’s all I ask. If you want her, court her properly. I know you’ve had a difficult time since you came home from the war, but if you want Lady Harriet, you must open yourself up to more experiences around people. That’s all I wanted to say. I’ll leave you now. I suspect you’ve brought Zeus for a quick exit,” George said.
“I did.”
“Good evening, Jon,” George said, walking back inside the Assembly Room.
George had given him a lot to think about as he made his way to the groom who’d taken Zeus when he first arrived. The horse whinnied when he saw him, and the groom handed Jon the reins. “Are you ready to leave, my lord?”
He nodded and vaulted into the saddle, steering Zeus in the direction of his manor. “Come on, boy. I’ve got a lot to think about,” he said, tapping his heels against the stallion’s side. The horse responded immediately and trotted back to Hartley Manor.
Could he become used to being in the company of others again? He wanted to try, because to not ever see Lady Harriet again would surely crush him.
He remembered what Lady Harriet had called him the day they first met. Was he an avenging angel? And what exactly was he avenging?
Chapter 12
Harriet somehow knew that theearl would not return to the dance, even before she saw Lord Spenser walk in and come over to the table without his friend.
“Lady Harriet, may I have this dance?” he asked, holding out his hand.
“You may, my lord.”
They joined the line for a country reel, although there wouldn’t be much of an opportunity to talk.
When the dance ended, Harriet curtseyed. “Thank you for the dance, my lord.”
“It was my pleasure.”
As Lord Spenser escorted her back to the table, she whispered. “He’s gone, hasn’t he?”
Spenser nodded but didn’t elaborate. She knew there were too many eyes watching them. So many questions swirled around her mind. She needed answers, and perhaps Lord Spenser would be just the one to give them to her. But not tonight.
When they reached the table, she said, “Lord Spenser, perhaps you’d enjoy taking the early morning air tomorrow and consent to ride out with me?” When he nodded, she knew he understood that she wanted to talk privately with him.
“I’d be delighted… that is, if I can drag myself out of that lovely comfortable bed,” he said with a chuckle.
“Shall I have one of the footmen wake you? I do like an early morning ride.”
Lord Spenser smiled. “Only for you, my lady, will I endeavor to rouse myself from my bed.”
Harriet had to be satisfied with that. Perhaps Lord Spenser could give her some insight into how she might convince the earl that he was the man for her. She looked beyond his shoulder and saw Miss Darvey and Miss Adams promenading their way.
She leaned toward him and said, “My lord, would you be so kind as to escort me to the refreshment room? I’m quite parched.”
“My lady, I’d be happy to fetch one for you.”
Harriet shook her head and stood. “No, I’d like to stretch my legs a bit if that’s all right with you.”
George stood and offered his arm. “Of course, Lady Harriet. Please excuse us, ladies. We’ll return momentarily.”
When they were away from the table, Harriet whispered, “Miss Darvey was heading straight for our table. I didn’t know if you saw her.”
