Page 12 of The Ruin of Miss Amelia Burrowes

Chapter 5

Mulling over Miss Burrowes’s story, trying to reach a decision as to her innocence or guilt occupied Nathan much more than he would’ve thought over the next several days. He’d been certain when he’d asked for her explanation that he would be able to instantly ascertain the truth of the matter, but the facts as they’d been presented by both Lord Haversham and the lady herself seemed extraordinarily plausible. The crux of the matter seemed to come down to that passionate kiss they’d shared under the cherry tree. Would a woman who had welcomed such a moment with him—before even an official courtship had been established—be more likely to have allowed similar kisses and more with a man to whom she was betrothed and expected to marry?

He needed to make up his mind and quickly, for time was of the essence. Mr. Burrowes would surely complete his arrangements for the marriage of his daughter to Mr. Burke soon if Nathan did not speak to him. And the more he thought of that eventuality, the less he liked it. Much to his surprise, his reacquaintance with Miss Burrowes had brought back the feelings of their brief but intense association those years ago.

To say he was still attracted to the lady minced words indeed. In fact, he’d thought about nothing but Miss Burrowes ever since they’d met at Lady Hamilton’s earlier in the week. The sight of her, the knowledge that she was not married, and that her reputation had been ruined had actually kept him up these past nights. Damned inconvenient when he had business that needed attending to, but he’d been totally unable to help himself. If not for the uncertainty about her character that ate at him constantly, he’d have already met with her father and likely come to an accord with the lady herself.

So this evening he was on his way to dine with Haversham and hash out every objection to putting forward his suit for her. His friend would likely have very loud, very strenuous protests, but he cared not a jot for that. Deep down in his soul, he wanted her, believed he belonged with her. If his friend could talk him out of that belief then so be it. The ensuing discussion would likely be lively, to say the least.

Upon being announced, Nathan entered the drawing room in Haversham’s townhouse to find he was not the only dinner guest this evening. Lady Letitia, Haversham’s sister, was in attendance, of course, but so were Marcus’s aunt, Lady George Pye, and his own aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Ivor and their daughter Celinda. Both Celinda and Letitia were out this Season, which must be the reason for the small dinner party. Perhaps a session in strategy for the young ladies had been planned. Still, he could speak to Marcus while they were having their after-dinner port.

“Ainsley, well met.” Marcus greeted him with a smile.

“Haversham. Good of you to invite me. How goes the courtship?” Nathan couldn’t help deviling his friend a bit. He’d begun his courtship of Nathan’s sister Kate a few days prior after losing a large wager. Nathan had been so consumed with thoughts of Miss Burrowes he’d neglected to monitor his friend’s progress.

Haversham rolled his eyes. “So far so good, although your sister could try the patience of a plaster saint sometimes.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “She’s actually been quite good company, although I’d not have believed it. We went for Gunter’s ices today and discovered we both particularly like the lemon ones.”

“A match made in heaven, then.” Nathan chuckled. “By way of the gaming tables. I am very glad to hear it, Marcus. Carry on.” As his friend was about to step away, he grasped his arm. “We need to speak later, alone. About Miss Burrowes.”

“Lord God, Nathan.” His friend’s sudden menacing scowl almost made Nathan chuckle. “What the hell do you mean?”

“After dinner.”

Haversham groaned softly but nodded and turned back to his duties as host. “Shall we go in?”

The seating arrangements were not strictly conventional, and Nathan again assumed they were for the purpose of the parents and guardians of the girls needing to discuss the prospects of their charges. Marcus and his sister sat at head and foot of the table, Lord and Lady Ivor together on Marcus’s right, Lady George, Nathan, and Lady Celinda on his left. As the first course began, Lady Ivor leaned her head toward Haversham, and Nathan turned to Lady Celinda. His cousin was a particular friend of his sister. Perhaps she could shed some light on Kate’s perspective of Marcus’s courtship.

“Kate tells me you’re being particularly wicked this Season.”

Nathan froze. Dear God, had Kate found out about his wager with Marcus?

Celinda laid her napkin primly in her lap, as though she’d just remarked on the weather rather than that volatile opening volley. “I do hope it’s true. We’ve never had a true scandal in our family. I cannot help but think it will be most exciting. Of course, the most exciting thing will be my marriage to Lord Finley, but that will not be a scandal. At least I don’t think it will.” She paused to consider, her soup spoon poised above her bowl.

“Has Lord Finley declared his intentions toward you already?” The Season had just begun. He’d not even scraped an acquaintance with the man yet, although Marcus had.

“Oh, not in so many words, no. But we’ve gotten along famously since we met at Lady Hamilton’s ball the other night, where he danced the supper dance with me.” She smiled gaily. “It’s only a matter of time before he approaches Papa. Oh, I know what I was about to say. About the scandal. I haven’t planned for Lord Finley and me to be the object of gossip, save the good-natured kind—remarks on how handsome a couple we are, or how happy we look together. But one never knows.” She took a bit of soup then nodded toward him. “Just look at Miss Burrowes. I’m certain she never dreamed of becoming an example of a ruined woman when she first came out.”

Nathan’s soup got caught halfway down his throat. He had to calm himself, risk embarrassing himself by spewing the white soup everywhere, or drown in it. The rock-hard discipline he’d learned at Jackson’s salon, to push through pain or surprise, came to his aid. Slowly, he relaxed and managed to get it down, though he went into a fit of coughing afterward.

Good-naturedly, Celinda pounded him on the back while every eye in the dining room turned on him.

“Are you quite all right, Ainsley?” Haversham called from his end of the table.

“Never better, thank you,” he croaked. Clearing his throat helped, followed by a long sip of the good Bordeaux Marcus always served. He smiled at everyone around the table and when they resumed their animated chatter, turned back to Lady Celinda. “What are you up to, imp? Has Kate put you up to killing me? And how do you even know anything about Miss Burrowes?”

Waving her hand, Celinda laughed merrily. “Kate is much too taken up with Lord Haversham at the moment to think about you, Nathan. I believe they will make a match of it, and sooner rather than later.” She leaned over toward him and lowered her voice. “I have known of Miss Burrowes ever since Mama began preparing me for my come out. Her story was the example used to frighten me into behaving as decorously as possible where gentlemen were concerned. Never be alone with a gentleman, even one to whom you are affianced, or people will assume the worst and ruin your reputation the first chance they get.” The light-hearted Celinda actually shuddered. “I’ve known what happened to her for years as a caution against folly.” She arched her eyebrows at him. “And I daresay the poor lady would just as soon hide as go riding in your curricle, cousin, for all the ton to see.”

Blast. Who had seen them in the park? He’d been so careful. “I wished to speak with the lady privately and thought a ride might be a pleasant outing for both of us.”

“And, of course, you had a tendre for her once as well.”

Thankfully, he’d not taken another sip of his wine yet, though now he wished for something a lot stronger. “What are you talking about, Celinda?”

“Your father told my mother about it, apparently just after you went on your Grand Tour. She told me of it when she warned me about Miss Burrowes and her plight.”

His cousin knew damn well too much for her own good. “I knew the lady that summer, yes. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a tendre.” Although, truth to tell, his feelings had run much deeper than that. That was the problem now. He wanted desperately to believe her, but how could he?

“You didn’t ruin her, did you, Nathan?”