Page 38 of One Waltz with the Viscount

He regarded her suspiciously. ‘How did you know where Miss Shepherd is staying?’

Lady Shrewsbury gave a dismissive wave of her hand. ‘I must have heard it somewhere. You know what gossip is like.’

‘Gossip does not concern itself with the living arrangements of penniless young women from Sussex.’ He turned to Miss Shepherd. Despite his surprise at finding her at Shrewsbury House, he could not deny the surge of pleasure he felt at seeing her again. It was concerning just how quickly his feelings for Miss Shepherd were developing. Only once before had he ever felt like this, and that mistake had ended up ruining two lives for many years.

He cleared his throat. ‘Are you well, Miss Shepherd?’

‘Very well, thank you,’ she said, but the tone of her voice was flat.

Lord Shrewsbury stepped forward, looking uncomfortable. His old friend had never been able to hide his emotions, which was helpful in this sort of situation.

‘I think my wife was about to arrange for a carriage to take Miss Shepherd home.’

They all looked at one another in awkward silence for twenty seconds, and then Lady Shrewsbury stood.

‘Yes, let me do that. You boys can discuss whatever business you need to, and I shall ensure Miss Shepherd is delivered home safely.’

‘I am quite happy to walk,’ Miss Shepherd said, looking as though she would be quite happy to swim through a crocodile-infested river if it meant getting out of this house.

‘Nonsense. I brought you here, I shall have my carriage take you home. It is no trouble.’

Lady Shrewsbury waited for Miss Shepherd to rise and then slipped her arm through the younger woman’s. Together they left the room, with Miss Shepherd sparing a quick backwards glance in his direction.

‘What was that about?’ Henry asked.

Lord Shrewsbury waved a hand, trying to dismiss his curiosity. ‘You know what Louisa is like, she worries about you.’

Henry groaned, imagining the scene. Lady Shrewsbury turning up unannounced, insisting Miss Shepherd accompany her to an interrogation, poorly disguised by delicate crockery and cake.

‘Excuse me, Shrewsbury. I think I need to check on Miss Shepherd.’

Quickly he left the neat drawing room, rushing past the footman and throwing open the front door himself. The carriage outside was just starting to move away as Lady Shrewsbury watched from the pavement.

Without a word he dashed past her, leaping forward to grab hold of the handle of the carriage door, pulling it open and throwing himself inside as the horses picked up speed.

He landed with a jolt on the upholstered seat—thankfully the empty one, or he would have crushed Miss Shepherd entirely. Taking a moment to straighten himself out, he ensured the carriage door was not still open before turning to his travelling companion.

‘Lord Routledge, that was quite the entrance,’ she said, amusement clear in her tone.

‘Please forgive me for leaping into the carriage, I wished to check you were well.’

‘Most people would send a note.’ She raised an eyebrow. With relief, he saw a hint of a smile on her face. In the Shrewsbury’s drawing room she had looked uneasy and out of place, as if she would grasp any excuse to escape. Out here in the carriage she was beginning to look like her normal self again. It struck him that he should not know what normal was for a woman he met merely a few days earlier, but he did, and he found he quite liked the idea.

‘I like the more personal touch.’

‘Is it something I am wearing? Or perhaps the way I am acting? There is something that means my company is irresistible to the aristocracy this afternoon.’

‘It was a shock to come into Shrewsbury House and find you sitting and having tea with Lady Shrewsbury.’

‘It was a shock for me as well,’ Miss Shepherd murmured.

‘She turned up with no warning and invited you to go with her?’

‘You make it sound as though I had a choice. When you are someone like me you do not argue with a Countess, certainly not in public.’

‘I am sorry.’

‘It was not your fault. Not directly at least.’