By the time she emerged from the woods and saw the sloping roof of the stables, the rain was no longer spitting but pouring.
Staring at the slick slates, her hair plastered to her face and soaked to the skin, Selina was rather dreading the idea of riding back to London on her own. The rain would not let up anytime soon, and though she was not the worst rider, she had never ridden in such weather before.
What if I forget the way?
“Just ask for a carriage and discretion,” she muttered to herself. “Everyone will be asleep soon if they are not already preparing for bed. They won’t know I have left until morning.”
She shook off her doubt. Chin tucked to her chest, a futile hand covering her face from the deluge, she was about to set off for the stables when she heard hoofbeats.
A chestnut gelding came through the trees, a short distance from where she stood. Between the driving rain and the top hat worn by the rider, she couldn’t make out their identity.
Itwouldsomewhat thwart her plans if one of the guests were to see her, but she realized it was already too late as the horse and rider approached.
“Lady Selina?” The voice was familiar.
“Lord Ramsbury?” She squinted up at him. “What are you doing out in this rain?”
“I might ask you the same question,” he replied, hopping down from the saddle, water dripping from the rim of his top hat. “Come, allow me to escort you back before you catch your death. We can ride; it will be quicker.”
Selina pulled back a half step. “I am quite all right.”
He peered at her, concern in his eyes. “You do not seem all right, My Lady. Even if you were not walking alone in terrible weather, I would know it from that expression on your face.” He paused, gently reaching out to touch her arm. “What is wrong, My Lady?”
Of course, she was supposed to be joyful. It would soon be her wedding day. All of the preparations were underway, she had chosen her gown, and all of the guests were looking forward to it. She shouldhave been with her friends, celebrating her impending nuptials.
Would things have been simpler if I had stayed betrothed to you?
It was not a question she wanted to be asking herself when she had been so utterly content just this afternoon.
In her books, there were warnings not to mistake seduction for love. Yet it appeared that she had fallen into the trap anyway.
“Lady Selina?” Lord Ramsbury prompted. “What is the matter? Why do you look so sad?”
She had thought that the rain was doing a fair job of hiding her tears, but apparently not. Maybe her sadness was simply radiating out of her, like joy should have been.
“It is nothing,” she mumbled.
“It is not nothing if it has brought you out into the rain like this,” he countered. “Tell me, Lady Selina. You can trust me with your woes, I promise.”
She heard the sincerity in his voice and, meeting his worried gaze, decided to give just enough of the truth away. Perhaps it would alleviate some of the weight on her shoulders.
“I was… recently informed of some things,” she replied haltingly. “Bad things. About my betrothed. I wanted to walk to clear my head, but then it began to rain, and I… I thought I might take refuge in the stables.”
She left out the part about escaping to London. All she had to do was persuade Lord Ramsbury to leave her be, and it could still be done.
“One cannot always outpace one’s troubles,” Lord Ramsbury said after a moment. “I think I know why you are here, so close to the stables, but I must say that it would be unwise. If His Grace has done something awful, then you should not be the one to leave.”
Selina chewed her lip in consternation. He made an excellent point. It was at least a few hours’ ride to London, maybe less if she did not have to keep stopping to check her direction, and it would soon be dark. Anything might happen to her on the country roads.
In her beloved books, highwaymen were not something to be feared but a thrill to stoke a fire in the blood. In real life, however, she knew they were a very real and not at all pleasant danger.
“Have you confronted him about what you heard?” Lord Ramsbury asked.
Grimacing, Selina shook her head.
“In that case, I think it prudent that you speak with him before you do anything rash,” Lord Ramsbury said with a smile. “At the very least, he ought to know that you are safe and well. Whatever he has done, he likely doesn’t deserve the punishment of fretting over your whereabouts.”
“No… no, I suppose you are right.”
