Page 53 of One Waltz with the Viscount

‘No.’ She reached out and gripped Selina’s hand. ‘This is what you want, not what I want. Now I am satisfied you are not in any danger, I will leave London and continue with my plans.’

It was a painful decision on so many levels. Now that she had found Selina she did not want to leave her again, but it had to be. Spending time getting to know the man who had so cruelly abandoned their mother was not something she wished to do. It would be better for her to take up her post in Kent and get on with her life.

Of course that meant leaving Lord Routledge too. Quickly she dismissed the thought. He had made it clear there could never be anything between them, and she would not go begging for him to reconsider.

Selina nodded, as if it was the answer she had expected.

‘I will miss you,’ she said softly.

‘And I you. But think of the adventures will we have. Then in a few months you can come and visit, and tell me everything that has happened.’

‘I would like that.’ Selina took Sarah’s hand and then rested her head on her sister’s shoulder. ‘Gosh, I’ve found it hard these last few weeks without you to talk to.’

‘They are not locking you in here are they? Please tell me you are allowed to leave.’

‘It is not a prison,’ Selina said with a smile. ‘I can go out for walks, and Father gives me a small allowance each week so I can go shopping. There is talk of Lady Kingsley taking me to the modiste one day for some more suitable dresses. Of course, they will have to make up some story of me being the daughter of an old friend or distant relative, but I am sure no one will take much notice.’

‘That does sound exciting.’

‘I am hopeful that perhaps, once they can see I am trustworthy, they might let me attend some of the balls and parties they are invited to. I do so wish to go to a London ball.’

Sarah thought back to the Shrewsbury ball, to the moment she had met Lord Routledge—as he had pressed her against the wall, convinced she was a thief sneaking into steal valuables. She had not made it to the ballroom, but it had still been a magical night.

‘Protect yourself against disappointment though, Selina. Perhaps it may happen that they allow you to join them on social outings, perhaps it may not. Do not pin all your hopes on it.’

‘I will be realistic,’ she said, but Sarah could see already she was weaving dreams from this situation. She didn’t like to see her sister disappointed, but Selina had clearly made up her mind. There wasn’t any real risk to her, only the possibility of hurt feelings, so Sarah did not push the subject.

They talked for half an hour, discussing Selina’s time in London so far and Sarah’s search for her. Sarah kept trying to steer the conversation away from Lord Routledge, but Selina was clearly intrigued by the Viscount who had helped her so much these past few days.

‘Come back inside now,’ Lady Kingsley said, her face set and hard. Sarah could not imagine choosing to live in a house with this woman, who clearly resented Selina’s presence, disrupting her life and potentially damaging the family’s reputation.

Arm in arm the sisters returned to the drawing room where Sir William stood in front of the fireplace. Lord Routledge was sitting in a chair, his expression wary. Lady Kingsley closed the doors behind them, then took her place beside her husband.

‘Have you decided what you are going to do, Miss Shepherd?’ Lady Kingsley asked.

‘I would like to stay.’

‘You are sure you will not return to the south coast with your sister?’

Selina straightened her posture and met Lady Kingsley’s eye. ‘No. Sarah has decided she will take up her position as a music teacher as planned. I would like to stay here.’

‘There are a few conditions,’ Sir William said, turning his attention to Sarah. ‘I am happy to accommodate Selina, but as part of our agreement I must have your word that you will not breathe a word of this arrangement, or our connection, to anyone.’

‘You have my word,’ Sarah said quickly. She had no desire to confess her illegitimacy, and certainly not to claim a father who had treated their mother so despicably. Who seemed more interested in protecting his reputation than the wellbeing of his daughters.

Lady Kingsley’s eyes narrowed. ‘That means no gossiping to your little friends, no boasting of your connection in the servant’s hall of your new home.’

‘I am fully aware of what it means,’ Sarah snapped, wondering if she was making a mistake not trying to persuade her sister to come with her. ‘As far as the world is aware I am an orphan, with my father dying before I was born, and my mother more recently. I at least appear respectable, even if the truth is different. I would not jeopardise that respectability to be associated with Sir William.’

‘I think she speaks the truth,’ Sir William said after studying her for a moment. ‘How about you, Lord Routledge? You have been privy to a lot of private, family business here today. Can I rely on your discretion?’

‘I will do as Miss Shepherd wishes,’ he said simply. ‘If she wants me to keep quiet about her parentage than I will, but if you do anything to upset her, remember I know everything that has passed between you, as well as the sordid details of your past. With my contacts the ton could be discussing all the dirty little details within a couple of hours.’

‘You dare to threaten me? Your father will be hearing about this.’

Lord Routledge held Sir William’s eye. ‘I mean it,’ he said. ‘Treat Miss Selina Shepherd well and leave Miss Sarah Shepherd alone. Then I will have no cause to tell anyone what I know.’

Sir William grumbled something incomprehensible, but eventually nodded.