The color in her cheeks heightened but she did not look away.
“I mayhap cannot explain it fully myself, Lord Crampton,” she said, “but that does not mean that I will not offer my assistance, albeit as little as it is. As a companion, I was able to stand and watch, and see the footman, but I am not able to converse and engage with those near to me.” She tried to smile but it was a little dimmed. “If in my present situation, I can do anything to be of aid to you, then I shall do it without hesitation. I did not like seeing you so unwell and, given that the fall from the carriage could have had greater consequence had we not found you when we did, I cannot simply stand by and allow you to face this danger yourself.”
“Then I shall accept your kindness, of course, but I do not think that I deserve even the sweetness of your company, Miss Gregory,” he replied, truthfully. “You are much too delightful for someone such as I.” The weight of his mistakes lay heavy upon his shoulders, and it took some moments for him to release himself from it. Taking a deep breath, he gave her a small smile. “The problem presented to us, however, is that I have very little understanding or knowledge of where we ought to begin.”
Miss Gregory nodded slowly, turning her head away from him as she thought. Some moments of silence passed as they walked together, the only sound that of their feet on the path – and then Miss Gregory looked up at him and smiled.
“Then mayhap I should be brave,” she said, as Robert frowned in confusion. “Lady Albina has been encouraging me to ask my aunt for an opportunity to be by her side as her niece, rather than her companion.”
Robert’s heart slammed hard against his chest without any real explanation as to why it had done so, just as a broad smile settled on his lips.
“If I am permitted to do so, then I would be able to speak with some of the young ladies who I know were present on the evening of the soiree,” she continued, speaking a little more quickly now. “As a companion, I am not permitted to be introduced to them nor converse with them, but as a young lady in her own right, I…”
“You would have every opportunity to do so,” he interrupted, as Miss Gregory nodded. “Miss Gregory, I think that an excellent suggestion – not because it would benefit me but because I truly believe that it is right for you to be a young lady of society rather than your aunt’s companion.” He tilted his head. “Might I ask if there is a reason that your aunt has not done such a thing already? Why has she never considered that idea?”
A flash of pain crossed Miss Gregory’s face as she turned her head away.
“To be frank, Lord Crampton, it is because she is only inclined to think of herself and her own situation.Shewants to marry again so that her situation, in her later years, is a little improved from the circumstances she has at present.”
“That is most selfish.”
A tiny, flickering smile pulled at Miss Gregory’s mouth and Robert instantly felt a flush of shame, knowing all too well that he was of the very same character. He had thought only of himself, of the attentionhewould garner, of the delights whichhewould find in the company of others. To her credit, Miss Gregory did not say a word about the similarities between himself and her aunt but simply continued explaining her situation without remark.
“If I could convince her to give me one evening, one opportunity to prove that I can find gentlemen to dance and converse with me, then she might be willing to remove me as a companion and instead look at me solely as her niece.”
The fervency which rose within him could not be held back. Robert stopped walking and threw a glance over his shoulder, seeing that Lady Langdon was distracted by an acquaintance. Turning back towards Miss Gregory, he took both of her hands in his, looking down into her eyes and seeing the way that she looked back at him steadily – not afraid or overcome, but calm, ready to listen to whatever it was he wanted to say.
“I will dance with you, Miss Gregory,” he promised. “I will seek you out and give you two dances, even if that makes people whisper a little. I will introduce you to others – Lord Venables, for example, would be glad to stand up with you. Speak to your aunt. Beg her for the opportunity and I can promise you that you will not be disappointed.” There came a small, uncertain smile which, after a few moments, grew steadily until Robert could practically see the hope growing in her eyes. Her hands pressed his and Robert finally, reluctantly, released them – all too aware that Lady Langdon was soon to end her conversation and might see them in such a stance. “I say this not for my benefit, Miss Gregory,” Robert finished, his brow furrowing as he realized that she might have mistaken his fervency for this action to be solely for his advantage. “I think this would be best foryou. Even if you do not manage to find out anything in particular as regards my difficulties, I do not care. I…”
He trailed off, realizing with a shock that, for the first time in a long time, he was not thinking at all about himself. Blinking rapidly, he dropped his head and let out a long breath, a little overcome.
“I will speak to my aunt.”
His head rose and as he looked into Miss Gregory’s shining eyes, his heart suddenly lifted with the joy that now filled him, glad that she would no longer have to be only a companion – even if that were only for a short while.
Would you consider her?
The question burned into his mind, but Robert did not allow himself to either contemplate or answer it. There was too much joy at this moment, too much hope and expectation, and Robert wanted Miss Gregory to feel every single second of it.
“I am so glad,” he said, softly. “Pray do inform me the moment that you have her answer, Miss Gregory.” He smiled at her, seeing the slight color in her cheeks. “I will be waiting.”
Chapter Ten
“Aunt?”
The pounding of Honora’s heart was so loud she was afraid her aunt would hear it.
“Yes, Nora?”
Her aunt looked back at her lazily, resting now in an armchair with a tea tray in front of her. Honora had not been invited to join her but this, Honora hoped, had not been out of a genuine disinterest in having her niece present but more due to the fact that her aunt was a single-minded, selfish creature who would not even have thought about what Honora herself might enjoy.
“I have something to ask you.”
“Indeed?” Lady Langdon put a small, somewhat superficial smile on her face and beckoned Honora closer. “If you are to ask me about Lord Norrington, then I am afraid I cannot answer you as yet! He is a most amiable gentleman and has taken tea twice with me this last week!”
“Yes, aunt, I recall,” Honora replied, having been present for both occasions but left to sit quietly in the corner of the room without having even been introduced to the gentleman. It appeared that he was certainly interested in her aunt’s company, but whether or not anything would be forthcoming of a more permanent nature, Honora and her aunt were yet to see. “It is not about Lord Norrington, aunt. It is about my situation.”
This made Lady Langdon’s smile shatter in an instant, her brow furrowing.