Page 40 of Almost a Countess

“Yes, I believe I am.”Dora smiled to herself.

Her little outing had been enormouslysuccessful by her estimation, if only as assurance that Finn didindeed have an interest in her. As he’d suggested he should ask forher hand, even though just to save her reputation, then wasn’tthere hope of a true proposal in the future? Given thecircumstances, and those heady kisses, there was undoubtedly enoughmaterial for her to continue to build a castle in the air for herand Finn.

****

Dinner that evening proved to be moreof a strain than Dora would have believed.

She’d gone upstairs immediately upontheir return for some rest and to try to calm herself, even thoughthat had been a lost cause. She’d asked Larkin to awaken her whenit was time to dress for dinner, but she’d lain awake, relivingtheir picnic. Especially their kisses. Her toes had curled at thevery thought of it.

At last, she’d risen, not ever havingclosed her eyes, and started to dress. Or tried to. She’d chosenand rejected three gowns before Larkin put her foot down andinsisted she wear her blue lutestring. “It’s the most elegant gownyou have, Miss Harper. And you have so many guests tonight, youwill want to look your best, I think?”

If Finn was going to be there, ofcourse she wanted to look her best. Their conversation thisafternoon weighed heavily on her each time she thought of it. Hemight have warm feelings for her now, but as he said, life couldchange in an instant. When he left to pursue his matter with thearmy in London, would he forget about her, about their kisses inthe folly? She was certain she never would. But every person’ssensibilities were different. The waiting and wondering wouldsurely drive her mad. Especially if he was her one and only chancefor happiness. She couldn’t know that, of course, but after thisafternoon, it certainly felt like it.

They had all gathered in thedownstairs receiving room and proceeded in to dinner, Trisinsisting on escorting Dora, leaving Finn, once more attired inSimon’s old clothing, to offer his arm to Violet. How her formerfiancé was going to take to the news of a possible interest betweenher and Finn Dora shuddered to think. At least she would not haveto worry about that for some little time to come.

“Aberfoyle, were yousuccessful in your riding today?” Tris cut into his roast beefindustriously.

“My ankle protested a weebit, but it settled after the first mile or sae. I believe it willserve in another day or two.” Finn fiddled with his wineglass,shooting a look at Dora.

Of course, Tris would wish him gone assoon as possible. Well, the sooner Finn found his uncle, the soonerhe could return to her.

“That is very fortunate,for I have a bit of disturbing news.” He looked pointedly at Finn.“I stopped at The Green Tree after taking care of some businessthis morning and was startled to meet Lieutenant Scarlet and hismen coming out of the establishment.”

Dora’s fork clattered to her plate.Her gaze shot straight to Finn, her heart in her throat.

He blinked as he looked at the stunnedfaces around the table before looking down at his plate. “I thankye for that bit o’ information, Trevor.” He looked directly atDora. “I’ll have tae leave at first light. The sooner I am away,the sooner ye’re all out o’ danger.”

“Lord Aberfoyle, I amterribly sorry for this unfortunate turn of events.” Violet leanedtoward him, placing a hand on his arm. “You must go in haste toLondon to set this matter aright.”

To save her life, Dora could not havesummoned a word. Why were the soldiers still in the area? Whycouldn’t they bloody well leave them alone? Now Finn would have toleave her. And the possibility that he might not return to her moreof a reality than she could bear.

“We’ll plan your journeywhen the ladies retire to the drawing room, Aberfoyle. If I’dbrought more than the one carriage, I’d loan you mine. That wouldhelp throw Scarlet off the scent.” Tris seemed to have resolved hispique at Finn, although his good humor might stem from theknowledge that Finn would soon be gone. “As it is, I have but theone carriage, and I must have that at my wife’s disposal at such adelicate time, you understand.”

Dora wished she could offer herfather’s carriage, but when she’d arrived at Bromley in April, thecoachman had discovered a break in the transom. She’d had herfather’s coachman take it into Leeds for repairs as part of hisjourney back to Wiltshire, but as she’d always preferred to ridehorseback, she’d neglected to have Alfred fetch it once it wasrepaired.

“I dae indeed, my lord.Think nothing o’ it. The journey will be swifter on horseback, inany case. I thank ye for the thought and any help ye may be abletae give me.” Finn had reverted to the persona she’d first met bythe creek, a hardened man on the run, thinking only aboutoutsmarting his adversary. He’d have little time for her now, whichwould be hard to bear, but was as it should be. He must survive ifthey were to have the hope of a future.

Tris looked directly at Dora.“Perhaps, my dear, you and Violet should retire now and leaveAberfoyle and me to plan his escape in the morning.”

Dinner was only half over, but Dora’sappetite had fled the moment Scarlet’s name was mentioned. Shewanted desperately to stay and help them, but as she knew littleabout the surrounding area, other than Bromley and Brompton, evenDora could see she’d only be a hindrance, and maybe a distractionto Finn when he needed all his wits.

With a nod, Dora rose, as did Violet,and headed for the upstairs drawing room, where so short a time agoshe’d been happy.

“You must not despair, mydear.” Violet settled into her accustomed place.

Dora slumped onto the chair oppositeher. “I cannot help it, Violet. I do not know what to do. I cannotbear to let him go.” She understood he had to leave for London, butnow that the time was here, his departure imminent, she feared theworst would happen and she’d be reduced to a pleasant memory themoment he rode out of sight.

“Has something changedsince this morning, my dear?” Violet had a knowing look in hereyes.

“It has. Oh, Violet.Everything has changed.” Unable to stop herself, Dora moved acrossto the sofa and burrowed into Violet’s arms. “Finn kissed me,” shechoked out before bursting into tears.

“Did you want him to?” Herfriend held her closer.

“Of course I did.” Dora’swords were muffled, but Violet seemed to understand.

“I suspected as much. Butthen this is good, isn’t it, my dear?” Violet peered into her faceas best she could.

“Yes, but now I don’t wanthim to leave.” The very thought of having to tell Finn goodbye, notknowing when or if she’d ever see him again, was like a knife inher heart. “I know he must go. I knew it before Tris saw thesoldiers. He must clear his name, but I wish there was some otherway. What if he leaves and decides he doesn’t want to return tome?”