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Averil looked up from the desk. Secreting herself in the office at the Home had offered her some peace and quiet this morning, but now Gareth had found her. She sighed and then forced a welcoming smile as he stomped into the room and closed the door. She noticed he had dark circles under his eyes and he looked as if he’d hardly slept.
“Gareth?”
He slumped down into a chair.
Averil’s troubles were forgotten and she was just about to ask if another girl had gone missing, when Gareth spoke.
“The baroness told me last night that she wouldn’t marry me if I crawled all the way from Land’s End to John O’Groats on my knees.”
“Oh. So the wedding is off then? Was she very angry?”
“Furious. I am to move out of her Bloomsbury House today. I wondered”—and he glanced up at her with an expression that reminded her of Hercules when he wanted a walk—“could I stay at your house, just until I find somewhere else? I’d move into one of the rooms here, at the Home, but somehow that doesn’t seem proper. There’d be sure to be gossip. More gossip,” he groaned.
Averil nodded. “I think that is very wise, Gareth. And yes, you can stay with me. Just until you find somewhere else.”
He looked relieved. “I’ve been a fool,” he said quietly. “I thought the end justified the means, but it doesn’t, does it? One must be so careful in one’s dealings with other people, Averil. I’m beginning to think I’m not very good at it.”
Averil opened her mouth to tell him what she thought of Jackson, and his trustworthiness, but Gareth looked so downhearted, it didn’t seem fair to burden him with any more problems right now.
“The baroness said something . . . Well, to be fair, she was very angry. But she said something about you and Lord Southbrook.” His cheeks colored. Averil could imagine what that conversation had been about.
“I’m sure she did,” she said wryly, and waited for the lecture she was sure must now be forthcoming.
But Gareth surprised her. “You’re nothing like your mother,” he said. “I only met her once, but sh
e was the sort of woman who couldn’t keep still. She had a nervous energy. Always moving, always talking, while you’re so restful, Averil. So calm.”
Surprised and touched, Averil smiled. “Am I? I have a temper, as you know, but that’s a very nice thing for you to say. Gareth, did you ever hear anything about the child? My sister?”
He shook his head. “The family closed ranks around your father once Anastasia was gone. If they knew I never heard. I’m sorry, Averil, I know how much this means to you. You should keep on with your search.”
“I will. Thank you. And Gareth, I’m sure the gossip will blow over. Eventually. For what it’s worth, I believe you did the right thing. To marry someone you don’t love or respect . . . I can’t imagine it.”
Gareth left her alone again and Averil sat, staring into space. Things were a mess but Gareth was right, she should keep looking. And with Rufus’s help, she would.
She couldn’t help smiling as she remembered him leaning forward in the coach to kiss her lips, and the exquisite feelings he’d drawn from her. Would he kiss her again? She was tingling all over just thinking about it. Oh yes, she really hoped the wicked earl would kiss her again.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
* * *
Rufus rang the bell at the Home for Distressed Women. Dr. Simmons’s locks seemed to have grown over the past few weeks, evidently in direct proportion to the number of women leaving his establishment. Uncle James, who was in constant contact with Beth Harmon, said that seven women had now gone, and although six were accounted for, there was one still missing.
Who would have thought his dapper Uncle James should be smitten with Beth, that such a man of the world would fall for a mousy middle-aged woman with good sense and kind brown eyes? But then again if Beth could bring herself to marry such a reprobate then good luck to them. James needed someone to keep him in line and Rufus thought Beth would do that admirably.
Unless James did something foolish and sent her running.
Rufus tapped his foot impatiently. He’d been up most of the night and he was tired. He should be in bed. But for some reason it had seemed imperative he see Averil and give her the latest news. Was that because he was so intent upon putting himself in a good light so that she would agree to marry him? Or was there more to it than that?
The door opened.
“Oh.”
It was Averil herself. She smiled when she saw him, her gray eyes lighting up in a way that made his heart lift, and he suddenly knew exactly why he was here. To see that smile, and to bask in her glorious presence.
“Are you the doorkeeper now, as well as everything else?” he managed lightly, as if he weren’t dizzy with lack of sleep and the sight of her, and stepped inside as she drew back. He heard numerous bolts being shot home behind him, and then she came to stand beside him, a little flushed, pushing a loose strand of hair out of her eyes.
“Gareth doesn’t want to lose anyone else,” she said. “It really is quite disturbing, the number of women who are leaving, and we still don’t know why. None of them will speak about it to us.”
