Page 19

“Have him come in,” she said.

Rutherford bowed. “Very good, Miss Ainsworth.”

“And ask Nora to join me in the drawing room, if you would.”

“Right away, miss.”

She had barely reached the sofa when Rutherford reappeared at the doorway. “Mr. Sellers to see you, Miss Ainsworth.”

Without giving the butler a passing glance, Mr. Sellers entered and walked across the room. “Good afternoon, Miss Ainsworth.” He bowed.

“How nice to see you again, Mr. Sellers.” The expression rolled off her tongue without forethought, and when the gentleman stepped closer and took her hand, Rosalind immediately wished it unsaid.

“I am glad to hear it,” he said, “for my afternoon is free, and my phaeton is at your disposal.”

Rosalind withdrew her hand from his and glanced at the door. Where was Nora?

“That is very good of you, Mr. Sellers, but it is not possible for me to take a drive with you.”

“Not possible?” A flicker of something that looked suspiciously like anger entered his dark eyes. He doused it and smiled charmingly at her. “If you tell me you have yet another prior engagement, I will simply return again.”

She was quite sure he would not believe her if she told him just how long her engagement had been in place. And yet, she must dissuade him from pursuing her further. “I am to be married, Mr. Sellers.”

There was no mistaking his anger this time. He stepped away from her, his nostrils flaring. “May I be sufficiently bold to ask who is fortunate enough to have won your hand?”

“The Duke of Kelbrook.” She braced for dread’s familiar tightening around her heart, but this time, it did not come.

“I had not taken you for someone who could be wooed by a title, Miss Ainsworth.”

“Then you were correct, Mr. Sellers.” Rosalind held her head high even as she felt the sting of his words. “My marriage to the Duke of Kelbrook has nothing whatsoever to do with his title.”

He snorted. “His Grace is the most unsociable gentleman in Society. He may own some interest in innovation and industrialization, but his passion ends there. No matter how pleasant your carriage ride with him may have been, you cannot persuade me that it caused you to fall in love with the man. The Duke of Kelbrook is incapable of bringing happiness to a lady so vivacious as you.”

Indignation burned in Rosalind’s chest. She may not have spent a great deal of time in Sebastian’s company, but their time together had been far more enjoyable that this encounter was proving to be. “I was under the impression that you had not met His Grace before the Marlboroughs’ ball,” she said. “To make such a sweeping judgment on so slight an acquaintance does you no credit, sir.”

Her reprimand appeared to have some effect.

“Forgive me.” His voice rang with desperation. “You must understand that for some time, I have held you in particularly high esteem, and until this moment, I had hoped that I would be the one to play such a role in your future.”

With rapidly mounting unease, she faced him. “I confess, I had not realized the depth of your feelings for me, Mr. Sellers. I apologize if my announcement is unwelcome, but you must understand that as of today, there can be nothing more than friendship between us.”

“Surely you do not believe—”

Mr. Sellers’s words were cut short by the sound of hurried footsteps in the hall. Rosalind glanced toward the door in time to see Nora slip into the room. Relief threatened to overwhelm Rosalind. The maid bobbed a curtsy and stood quietly, awaiting instructions.

Mr. Sellers must have noticed Nora’s arrival also because he clamped his mouth shut and straightened his shoulders. “If you will excuse me, Miss Ainsworth,” he said stiffly. “I believe it is long past time that I took my leave.”

Rosalind inclined her head. “Good day, Mr. Sellers.”

He offered her a curt bow and walked out of the room.

Rosalind waited until she heard Rutherford close the front door behind him before dropping onto the sofa. “Oh, Nora. I do not think I have ever been so grateful to have you walk into a room.”

Nora eyed her anxiously. “I was emptying the ashes in the back when Rutherford sent fer me, miss. A terrible mess, I was. I knew I couldn’t come inside with me hands all black, but I didn’t mean to take so long to get ’ere.”

“You came when it mattered the most,” Rosalind said. She took a deep breath and sat up in the chair. “I need a brisk walk, Nora. One that will clear my head. Would you accompany me?”

“Yes, miss. I’ll fetch yer things right away.” Her maid bobbed another curtsy and hurried out of the room.