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Chapter Six
These gentlemen act as though they are brothers.Rose mulled over their propositions as she sank back down onto the floor of the carriage interior. The longer she stood, the more tremulous she felt. It had been an exceedingly trying evening, so she supposed she should not be surprised that her body was reacting oddly.
She could feel their eyes upon her as she contemplated, though they were far more confusing to her than what they had offered, unexpectedly. She had never seen two men who were not related behave so affectionately toward one another, teasing and jesting freely.
“You would be well recompensed, as long as you do excellent work,” Lord Langston prompted. She lifted her gaze to meet his, allowing herself a moment to properly look at him.
You held me… You carried me in your arms, yet you pretend you didn’t. Did you think I’d be ashamed?Her chest swelled with unusual warmth, like walking into a room to find a raging hearth after a bitter winter’s day. She remembered the strength of him and the way he had swept her up into his hold so effortlessly.
And your eyes. Your beautiful, unique eyes.She only wished she had stayed conscious longer, as he held her in his arms, so she might have studied them from a closer vantage point.
Part of her recalled him touching her gently on the cheek and cradling her neck in his large, powerful hands so she would not tip forward and hurt herself. Although, she was not certain if that had really happened or if it was a dream she had conjured in her formerly delirious state.If I hoped it was real, would I be an idiot?
In the end, she allowed herself to nod. “I will accept, Lord Langston.”
Had she not been begging the heavens for a chance to escape London and start afresh, elsewhere? If she were to deny her opportunity now, she feared she might be spurning the celestial bodies themselves for turning down their offering. Even as a maid in an unfamiliar house, she knew her life would be safer than in the dangerous streets of London.
If I were to go back to that lodging now, I don’t know that I’d see morning again.He had not always been a brute, that much was true, but the man he had become was a drunken lout at best, a terrifying monster at worst. The bruise blossoming on her cheek was nothing compared to the beating she would face after inciting his wrath this night.
“This might prove to be the third time you have saved my life tonight,” she added, not realizing that she had spoken aloud until she looked up to see Lord Langston’s strange expression. Perhaps it was his attempt at a smile, she could not be sure. All she knew was that there was less frostiness on his face than there had been before, his heterochromatic eyes softening just a touch.
“Then you ought to get into the carriage, instead of sitting on the step,” Lord Langston said. Maybe she was imagining things, maybe she was not, but she could have sworn he almost sounded kind as he teased her.
Lord Bentley put out his hand to help her. “Allow me to assist you, as my friend appears to have forgotten his manners. Alas, he never had many, to begin with.”
“And yet, I taught you all you know,” Lord Langston retorted with a true, broad grin. It brightened his features in the most remarkable way, turning each eye into a glittering jewel of good humor. “Ah… Perhaps that is why you are of such ill-repute, Hudson.”
“You should not spook the poor girl,” Lord Bentley scolded playfully.
Lord Langston laughed. “If she has not run from you already after you have slavered upon her hand, I daresay she has enough courage to endure a carriage journey in our company.”
“Do I detect a note of jealousy?” Lord Bentley arched an eyebrow at his friend, and Rose watched inquisitively for the slightest hint of a reaction.
“If you continue with your vaudeville routine, we shall not make it back to Langston House before dawn.” Lord Langston turned his face away, his mouth tensing up into a perplexed line. “Come now, let us go.”
Now, I’m truly being foolish. He would not be jealous of Lord Bentley kissing my hand. If I were a Countess, perhaps it would be different, but I am not. No, I mustn’t see or think things that aren’t there.Steeling herself, she allowed Lord Bentley to help her into the carriage, where she took up a seat at the farthest end of the squab.
The two gentlemen joined her, though they sat together on the opposite squab, careful to give her enough distance so she would not be afraid of any ulterior motive. In truth, she was fearful only that the sway of the carriage might make her feel unwell as they journeyed to the countryside. After all Lord Langston had done for her, she had no reason to doubt his integrity, nor did she have cause to doubt Lord Bentley, for he was Lord Langston’s friend.
“To Langston House.” Lord Langston poked his head out of the window to speak with Mr. Shenton. Rose did not know to whom the manservant belonged, for he seemed to answer to both gentlemen equally.
Mr. Shenton nodded and disappeared from sight. A moment later, Rose felt the carriage jolt and heard the creak overhead as someone sat down on the driver’s box. Reins were snapped, and the carriage wheels began to bounce across the cobbles, heading for home. Her new home. Away from London, just as she had prayed for.
This is it… I can’t look back now.She tucked herself behind the window drape and hid in shadow as the carriage moved off, in case someone decided to snatch her from this sanctuary at the last moment. For, now that freedom was within her grasp, she did not think she could bear the idea of it being taken away.
* * *
A figure watched from the shadows as the carriage trundled away. He hunched low, like a coiled snake ready to pounce until the carriage had rounded the corner and disappeared from sight. Only then did he emerge, his face twisted up into a mask of vehement disgust.
There’s naught quicker to sober a man than the betrayal of a daughter.Bill Parker marched up the street to the gambling hall, fully compos mentis now. He had already had the drunkenness startled out of him by a blade to the throat, but this final act had returned any sensibilities he had lost through brandy and cards. When he moved a certain way, he could feel the flesh of the tiny cut parting again, refreshing the sting of it anew—a reminder of the wrongs that had been done to him this day.
“I thought we told you to clear out,” one of the guards by the door growled, as Bill approached.
The second guard nodded, arms folded across his barrel chest. “Aye, we did at that. You’re not welcome here, Parker.”
Bill bowed his head. “I came to apologize for my behavior, gentlemen. I should have dealt with my quarrels in private. Unfortunately, daughters can be so wayward when they want to be. It’s hard to reason with them when they’re of a mood.”
The first guard chuckled. “I can understand that, but you’ve caused trouble before, Parker.”
