* * *
“Try to ignore the stares,” Gerard said to Ellen as they walked into the park, Cara a few steps behind them.
“I can’t help it. I can’t help feeling like I have disappointed them somehow,” Ellen replied.
Gerard, on the other hand, looked to be enjoying himself. He nodded at Lord Bentley and waved to Lady Dander as well as everyone else they encountered as they walked. If Ellen did not know better, she would have assumed that the Earl of Ridlington wanted to actually court her.
“My Lady, I am quite aware that I might not match your tastes, but is my company that much to be endured rather than enjoyed?” Gerard said, drawing Ellen out of her reverie.
Ellen pretended to put on a straight face. “Forgive my manners if I do not look utterly besotted to be in My Lord’s presence. For you see, the last time I was with My Lord, he, he forced himself upon me.”
“Did he really?”
“Yes, he did!” Ellen replied, enjoying their banter. But she would rather die than admit it out loud.
“And what did you do? Did you fend him off? Try to scream for help?”
“Oh, when I tried to, he attacked me.”
“Attacked?”
“Pounced on me and threatened to slit my throat if I dared to make a sound.”
“What kind of gentleman does that?”
“But that’s the thing. He wasn’t a gentleman, was he?”
“How did you survive then? With your dignity intact?”
“I got on my knees and pleaded for my life. I made him promises of gold and silver.”
“And he agreed?” Gerard asked in mock surprise.
“He did.”
“Then he must have been a poor hungry gentleman looking for innocent ladies like yourself to prey on.”
“I suppose he was,” Ellen replied. “Come to think of it, I did rather feel pity for him.”
Gerard raised an eyebrow. “Why did you?”
“He seemed a bit sad.”
“He told you that?”
“No, but it was in his eyes. I could just tell.”
They were now sitting under the shade of one of the oak trees in the park. The sunset was creeping slowly, meaning that Ellen would have to go home soon. Her mother’s maid, Cara, stood at a respectable distance away, far enough not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but near enough to keep Gerard and Ellen within her sights.
“I am sure it was nothing,” Gerard said to Ellen.
“Yes, I am sure as well.”
They fell silent. But it was Ellen who first broke the silence. “My Lord, could you tell me why you paid me a visit? If we are to be honest, you were the last person I expected to see. After all, we were never officially introduced.”
“But we were,” Gerard grinned. “When I threatened you, and you offered me much gold and silver.”
“But that was all in jest as you well know. I think that you’ve heard what all of London is saying, and I would not like the thought of you thinking you were coming to rescue me.”
