A growing awareness came into Lord Venables’ eyes, just as a wave of heat from the embarrassment began to spread up Robert’s neck.
“I accused her of doing so purposefully so that I would be belittled and embarrassed in front of the Duke.”
“I see,” Lord Venables murmured, no judgment in his eyes or expression, but rather a calm acceptance, as though he had expected as much from Robert. “I do hope that you have apologized to her?”
“I attempted to do so but, being as ill as I was, found it rather difficult,” he admitted, at which Lord Venables nodded in understanding. “I will have to do so again, of course. But whether or not she will forgive me or eventoleratemy company after this, I cannot say. Indeed, I would not be surprised if she did not wish to speak to me again, and certainly, I would not blame her for it. She is the most extraordinary creature and I behaved appallingly.
“Miss Gregory is an extraordinary young lady,” Lord Venables agreed swiftly. “Especially given that she was the one to recognize that there was something wrong with your brandy.” His lips twisted, pulling to one side for a moment. “Did she say how she became aware of such a thing?”
“No, she did not,” Robert replied, frowning as he realized that he had given no thought to how Miss Gregory had been aware of what was in his brandy. “I will have to ask her, of course. Being a companion, I suppose, has its benefits. She would have been simply standing and watching the comings and goings of the guests.”
Lord Venables chuckled, a brightness in his eyes that seemed to lift the darkness from their present discussion.
“It is a little mirthful that the one lady who initially did not want to be in your company is the one who has nowtwicebeen present when you have been entirely discomposed!” he said, making Robert smile ruefully. “Recently it appears as though she has been a little more in your company, however…
Robert hesitated, the look on Miss Gregory’s face as he had snarled at her floating in his mind.
“I would not be surprised if she wanted nothing more to do with me now,” he replied, heavily. “I now have the grace at least to state that I was very foolish to speak to her as I did that first evening. I look back upon my behavior and see my arrogance and my pridefulness in a way that I have never done before.”
“If anything, Miss Gregory seems to be a very forgiving sort,” Lord Venables said, picking up his coffee to sip. “A rare creature, I think. I do not think that she ought to be a companion. I have heard of her father’s situation, and it does not appear to be any of his own doing. The crops have failed due to the weather, due to flooding, and he has been forced to do all manner of things to attempt to save his lands. Miss Gregory should be here to make a normal come out into society, not as a companion to that ridiculous aunt of hers.”
He eyed Robert speculatively, but Robert did not say anything, either in agreement or otherwise. He was silently thinking of the lady, recalling their first introduction and how neither of them had really wanted to be in conversation or company with the other. He had been sure that she had an acrid tongue and an unforgiving, unrelenting spirit, but now that he knew her a little better, Robert was eager for her company. The thought of their acquaintance ending solely because of his own poor behavior was a painful thought indeed, bringing such a stab of pain to his soul that he absently rubbed his chest with one hand. Yes, he agreed wholeheartedly that she ought not to be a companion. Her father might well be impoverished, but that did not detract from the loveliness of the lady herself – although her lack of dowry would turn away many a gentleman.
Would it turn you away?
Robert cleared his throat and reached for his coffee, trying to shake away that last thought. Lord Venables was correct, of course, hewouldhave to speak to Miss Gregory again and hear what she had to say about what had taken place. How had she known what was in his glass? And would he be able to find the words to express not only his great regret about speaking to her as he had done, but to admit to her that he had done so simply because of his pride? That he had reflected on his words to her and found not only those but his manner towards her utterly intolerable. The thought burned in his mind and Robert dropped his head, knowing that such a conversation would be painful indeed but yet, for her, Robert knew he would do it.
* * *
“Good afternoon, Miss Gregory.”
She smiled at him, and a pang of guilt stabbed into Robert’s heart. He did not deserve such kindness from her.
“Thank you for agreeing to walk with me,” he said, as her aunt stood behind her, having only just emerged from the carriage. “Thank you also, Lady Langdon.”
Lady Langdon sniffed and turned her eyes away, her dislike of him clear.
“It is most unusual for a gentleman to insist that he walk with mycompanionfor a short while, Lord Crampton,” she told him, her voice high pitched and her frame tight. “If you had not sent four letters, one after the other, I doubt I would have agreed. It is just as well, I suppose, that the park is quiet this afternoon.”
Robert’s stomach twisted as Miss Gregory immediately dropped her head, her smile broken in an instant. He did not like the way that her aunt spoke of her, did not like the way in which she was continually reminded of her position, nor how unusual and strange it was for a gentleman to be eager to walk with her.
“I confess that I do not see Miss Gregory as a companion, Lady Langdon,” he said quietly, his words bringing Miss Gregory’s head up in an instant, her green eyes rounding. “I see her for what she is – a young lady of society who has done me a great service.”
Lady Langdon turned her eyes towards him for a moment, a flicker of confusion in them as she held his gaze before muttering something and turning her head away again.
“Shall we walk?” Miss Gregory asked, breaking the tension that Robert was beginning to feel between himself and Lady Langdon. “It is a very warm day, and it might be agreeable to find some shade.”
“But of course.”
Inwardly hesitating, Robert took a breath and then offered her his arm, all the more surprised when she accepted it without question. A tightness in his throat meant that he could not speak for a few moments as they began to walk together, and he struggled to find the right thing to say so that they might begin their conversation.
“You are recovered, I hope?”
Glancing down at her, Robert tried to smile.
“Yes, much recovered,” he replied, glad that the weakness and chills had now left his frame, although he was still struggling with his appetite. “I did want to speak to you about what took place that night, Miss Gregory. It seems that I was taken ill shortly after I drank the glass of brandy.”
“Yes, indeed, it was as I expected!” Miss Gregory exclaimed, making Robert’s eyes flare wide. “The brandy had something in it that ought not to have been there.”