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A scowl formed across her pretty face, her displeasure clear. “You shall not lie to me again, Lord Carroway. I will not have it.”
“I will not speak any more untruths to you,” he promised, lifting his head and looking at her straight in the eye. “I give you my word, such as it is.” He could not say more for Miss Wells’ sister arrived by then, and he was forced to take his leave of her.
“I was just taking my leave of your sister, Miss Wells,” he said, seeing the slightly dark look in the lady’s eye. “Good day to you.”
“Good day, Lord Carroway,” both the ladies replied as one. They curtsied beautifully, and Edward had no other choice but to hurry back towards the house, leaving the frustrated and clearly upset Miss Titania Wells behind.
Chapter Eight
“I do hope Lord Carroway will be here this evening.”
Even the mention of his name did not bring a smile to Titania’s face, aware that Merry’s comment was simply to try and get a reaction from her. Catherine, who had found them both in the garden when Lord Carroway had called upon her yesterday afternoon, had remained almost steadfastly silent about the gentleman, although her disapproval of Titania’s behavior had been quietly communicated through dark looks and an occasional mutter of condemnation as Titania and Merry had discussed the gentleman.
Not that Titania cared much for what her sisters thought. Catherine was attempting to ensure that Titania’s reputation remained entirely spotless, although Titania did not think that walking in her townhouse gardens with a gentleman and a maid alongside them both was in any way improper. In fact, it had been entirely necessary, given that she had been required to discover the truth about Lord Carroway and his presence at her home.
She had not recognized him immediately, that much was true. It was only as they spoke, only as they conversed, that she seemed to remember something about him. Studying him carefully, she had taken in his dark hair, his firm jaw and piercing blue eyes but still this awareness had nagged at her mind with such a fervency that her head had begun to ache. When Lord Carroway had suggested taking a short walk about the gardens, she had leapt at the chance to escape the stuffy drawing room and allow herself a little more freedom. She had hoped that the change would allow her mind to clear, to settle on whatever it was that she was trying to remember – and, in stepping out of doors with Lord Carroway, it had managed to do so.
It had come like a bolt of lightning that had lit up her entire self, making her stumble as she recalled his face leaning down over her as she had struggled against unconsciousness. The firmness of his voice had seeped into her memory as he had spoken to her, asking her if she had found any particular difficulty within society, and the sharpness of his eyes had caught her heart.
It had been a rather unorthodox question and that in itself had made her reconsider Lord Carroway again. What was it that he wished to know from her, she had asked herself, looking up into his face. She had therefore decided to be quite direct with him, stating clearly that she knew him to be something more than just a titled gentleman seeking to court her. That had drained the color from his face and, had not her sister interrupted them, Titania had been quite certain that Lord Carroway would have told her the truth.
Her heart quickened with an inexplicable excitement. It was a little frustrating that Lord Carroway had come to her under false pretenses and a trifle insulting that he had hoped she would not recall him and simply respond to his questions as any young lady might, but still, she could not help but feel a surge of exhilaration at the thought of seeing him again. He had stated that he would speak the truth to her, and it was this that filled Titania with a good deal of anticipation. What was the truth? And why did he seem so concerned for her? She knew full well that he had been chasing down the murderer that night and that it had been he who had told her not to say a word about what she had seen to another living soul, and that gave him a most mysterious appearance. What was it that he was involved in?
I am not in any danger from him, am I?
Her footsteps hesitated for a moment as she walked beside her sisters into the ballroom, making Catherine give her a strange look. Collecting herself, Titania held her chin a little higher, making sure her shoulders were straight and that she moved as gracefully as she could. No, she convinced herself, she was not in any danger from Lord Carroway. He had taken care of her that night she had fought the murderer. He had made her promise not to say a word but had then made sure that she had been brought back inside to her family. That was not the actions of a man who sought to harm her in some way.
And then, the memory of the man looking up at the house came back at her with force, making her gasp with fright.
“Titania, are you all right?”
Merry was by her side in a moment, her hand resting gently on Titania’s arm.
“I am quite well, I assure you,” Titania promised, trying to regain her composure as quickly as she could. “I just had a strange thought, and it took my breath away.”
Merry’s eyes remained concerned. “Do you wish to share it with me?” she asked, as they walked slowly into the pool of guests. “Is it troubling?”
Shaking her head, Titania looked at her sister and managed to smile. “It is nothing,” she promised, knowing that she could not share such a thing with her sister. “It is merely that I know I shall see Lord Carroway again this evening, and I fear that he may do the same as before.” It was nothing more than a lie, but it seemed to satisfy Merry, who gave Titania an understanding smile.
“If you fear that he will remain afar from you and will not seek to come near and ask you for a dance, then you must make sure to keep some of your dances unsecured,” Merry suggested, letting go of Titania’s hand. “Although I must say, I thought you would be much more taken with Lord Huckleby than Lord Carroway.”
Titania chuckled, ignoring the twisting nervousness in her stomach. “I consider them both equally,” she replied, making Merry laugh. “Neither has made any particular advances towards me as yet, and therefore, I allow myself to consider both equally. That is fair, is it not?”
“It is,” Merry agreed, as Catherine and Dinah stepped away from them, most likely seeking out the quietest corner of the ballroom where they might hide. Lady Whitehaven, who was already caught up conversing with her acquaintances, sighed heavily as she watched them leave, before turning to bestow a smile upon Titania and Merry. “And that will bring Mama some relief, given that the rest of her daughters and her niece have no particular interest in any gentleman.”
Titania frowned, seeing the slight smile on Merry’s face but hearing a twinge of sadness in her voice. What was it that troubled her so?
“It seems you are to be caught already, Titania,” Merry continued, jerking Titania back to the present and pulling her from her questioning thoughts. “Look. Here comes Lord Huckleby.”
Lord Huckleby was almost resplendent in his fine cut of clothes and the broad smile that seemed to light up his face. Titania found herself blushing at his compliments, as she tried to remember that her aim for this evening was to find and speak to Lord Carroway, but she was almost overwhelmed with the presence of Lord Huckleby.
“I would like to dance with you this evening, Miss Wells,” Lord Huckleby boomed, reaching for her dance card and pulling it towards him without so much as asking her if she wished to do so. “Good gracious, I see that I am the first to claim you!” His eyes twinkled, as he looked back at her, making Titania smile despite her thoughts tur
ning towards Lord Carroway. “Then I shall have the cotillion and the waltz, I think.”
Titania felt a blush rise in her cheeks as she murmured her thanks, aware of just how much an effect Lord Huckleby had on her. His handsome face was entirely turned towards her, his eyes fixed on hers as he let go of her dance card, his enigmatic smile growing steadily. Perhaps he knew just how much he affected the young ladies of the ton, Titania thought to herself, trying to think of something to say. Mayhap he enjoyed it.
“I must also give you my sincere apologies that I have not, as yet, called upon you again, Miss Wells,” Lord Huckleby continued, ignoring Merry completely. “I did very much enjoy my last visit with you and hope that I might arrange another time with you very soon.”
