That would be a return to how I was when I first came to society – uncertain and unsure.Closing his eyes tightly, he shook his head.I cannot be that way again, but this has stabbed hard at the confidence that was growing within my heart.His head throbbed a little more strongly and Robert winced, pushing his hands through his hair before resting his head back.
“This was a purposeful act, and I shall discover who has done such a thing and why they behaved so, to make certain that they cannot injure me any further.”
The confidence in his voice was not in his heart, however, for Robert knew that such a task was almost insurmountable. He could not even think what he might have done to upset someone to such a grave degree as to cause them to act so. Was it someone jealous of his success in his acquaintance with the Duke of Strathaven? How could he whittle it down to only one gentleman? And how was he to stay safe in the process?
Chapter Six
“I, for one, do not know what to think.”
Honora nodded slowly, considering.
“Nor do I, aunt,” she murmured, still astonished at what had occurred the previous evening. “He appeared quite foxed!”
Her aunt tutted and shook her head.
“It is ridiculous for a fellow to behave in such a fashion, even if it is late in the evening,” she stated unequivocally. “What would he have done if we had not been present? Why was his coachman seemingly so incapacitated?”
That, Honora had to admit, was the question which was, at present, continuing to bother her. The coachman of Lord Crampton’s carriage had been, it seemed, fast asleep and thus had not attempted to help his master – but Honora had watched as one of the footmen from White’s had been forced to employ a great deal of effort in rousing the fellow. And Lord Crampton, whilst clearly injured and hurting from his fall or collapse, had been struggling to speak even a word of sense, which meant that neither man had been able to give any explanation of what had taken place. She had simply been forced to watch the carriage move away, with Lord Crampton inside, and his still swaying coachman up on the box, with only the dim light of the lantern to guide their way. Regardless of her somewhat convoluted feelings as regarded Lord Crampton, Honora did hope that he had been able to return home safely.
“I am fatigued because of his reckless nonsense, for it quite put me out of sorts last evening,” Lady Langdon sighed, placing one hand, palm outwards, to her forehead in a somewhat pathetic gesture, which made Honora smile inwardly. Her aunt would soon shake off her supposed weariness so that it would not prevent her from fulfilling the rest of her day. Any plans which had been made by the lady would continue regardless.
“And are you too fatigued to go into town as you had planned?” Honora asked innocently, tipping her head in a gesture of inquiry.
“Oh, but of course not!” Lady Langdon exclaimed, dropping her hand. “After I have enjoyed a few afternoon calls – for I am certain there shall be some – we shall make our way to Hyde Park for the fashionable hour.” She smiled satisfactorily at her niece. “Things are going very well, I think, and I am sure that Lady Albina will be there so you might have the opportunity to converse with someone.”
Honora smiled. For whatever reason, last evening’s adventure with Lord Crampton seemed to have brought about a slightly increased intimacy between herself and her aunt. This was the first time that her aunt had mentioned something which Honora might consider without speaking about how it would impact herself personally.
You could ask your aunt for the opportunity.
The suggestion that Lady Albina had placed in Honora’s mind suddenly roared to the surface and Honora’s smile faded, her stomach twisting.
“You are not eager to speak to Lady Albina?” her aunt queried, one eyebrow lifting in a slightly irritated gesture, as though Honora ought to be more than grateful for the chance to speak to someone other than her aunt.
“Oh no, aunt, I am looking forward to seeing her again,” Honora replied quickly, fearful that Lady Langdon might take the opportunity away again if she thought Honora ungrateful.
The following silence was broken by a tap at the door, and her aunt’s frown immediately deepened, given that it was not yet time for afternoon calls. However, with a small glance at Honora, she turned back and then called for the servant to enter.
“My Lady, there is a note for Miss Gregory.”
Honora froze in place as her aunt stared back at the servant, saying nothing. The seconds ticked by as Honora’s whole body tensed, having no knowledge of who might have written to her, and certainly understanding her aunt’s astonishment.
“Are you quite certain it is for Miss Gregory?” Lady Langdon asked, her voice cracking with tension, only for the servant to nod, shooting a quick glance towards Honora before dropping her head.
“It is perhaps from Father.”
Honora spoke, trying to smile at her aunt who, eventually, nodded and gestured to Honora, before turning her back and making her way to the window, looking out at the scene below. Her back was straight, her shoulders tense and Honora knew that she would be waiting to see just who had written to a mere companion.
Taking a deep breath, Honora accepted the letter, broke the wax seal, and began to read.
What she read quite astonished her – to the point that her gasp of surprise caught Lady Langdon’s attention and shattered her intention to leave her niece to read her letter alone and uninterrupted.
“What is it, Nora?” she demanded, as Honora stared down at the letter in utter astonishment. “Is there some sort of bad news? Is your father unwell?”
“No, aunt, it is not from my father,” Honora murmured, her eyes fixed on the final few lines before she turned to look up at her aunt, praying that she would not be angry. “It is from Lord Crampton.”
Her aunt’s expression changed in an instant.
“Lord Crampton?” she repeated, her eyes narrowing and her brows pulling together. “Whatever is that odious man saying? And why is he writing to you?”