She shrugged. “My mother stayed behind to give the appearance that I was still residing at the cottage, but it will only be a matter of time until Lord Worthington discovers that I’m not there.”
“We could always send a coach to pick up your mother,” he suggested. “Then you will both be away from Lord Worthington’s clutches.”
“It is a small village, and I have no doubt that one of Lord Worthington’s men will see the coach.” She blew out a puff of air. “The only way for our plan to work is to retrieve my mother after I am wed.”
“You do realize that there is a chance that you may never receive your dowry from Lord Worthington, even if you are wed to another?”
“I understand, but I have to try.”
Lord Bideford studied her carefully for a long moment before saying, “I have a proposal, then.”
“You do?” she asked, hesitant about what it could be.
“While you are working to secure a suitor, I will hire a solicitor to help with your legal situation with Lord Worthington.”
A smile came to her face. “That would be wonderful, my lord,” she gushed.
His lips twitched, but didn’t quite become a smile. “You will find that I am not completely unreasonable.”
“I am pleased to discover that.”
Lord Bideford’s eyes showed compassion. “I am sorry for what Lord Worthington has put you through this past year, especially since you were grieving your father.”
“Thank you,” she responded, “but I am afraid there is so much more I haven’t divulged.”
“Nothing he did to you was your fault.”
She gave him a weak smile. “I know, but sometimes it feels that way.”
“I know I am not one to talk of hope and whatnot, but I do employ a brilliant solicitor,” Lord Bideford expressed. “And if it comes to it, I know an equally impressive barrister.”
“You are most thoughtful.”
Lord Bideford stood there for a moment, looking deucedly uncomfortable. “I am sorry that I misjudged you, Miss Bentley,” he said. “It was terribly unfair of me.”
“You could not have known my plight.”
“That may be true, but I took an immediate disliking to you for no good reason.”
Ellie felt her face soften at his words. “Consider it forgotten, my lord.”
“You would forgive me so easily?” he asked, baffled.
“I would.”
“Even after everything I said and did?”
“I must confess that I am not one to hold grudges,” she revealed.
A silence descended over them and Lord Bideford studied her closely, as if he had a new respect for her. It felt like he was seeing her for who she was for the first time. Finally, he spoke. “If you will excuse me, I have business I must attend to.”
“Of course,” she replied.
He bowed and departed quickly from the room. It almost appeared as if he was running away from her, which was ridiculous. Why would Lord Bideford need to flee from her presence?
He wouldn’t.
Perhaps she had simply imagined it.
