Without replying, she turned and walked away, leaving Aaron standing there in bewilderment. Her heart told her to trust him? Did that mean she cared for him as he did her?
Yet how far did his caring go?
In the short time they had been acquainted, he found her smile, her laugh, her words pleasing. When he was not in her company, he felt alone and looked forward to seeing her again.
He could not help but chuckle to himself. She was a clever young woman indeed, sending him off on a wild goose chase as she had. Yet, he would never say as much to her. He would not want her thinking she could get away with such treatment at every turn.
Regardless, he did care for her, and although he was not ready just yet to admit it, he might even admire her.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Achorus of birds welcoming the warm spring weather accompanied Louisa and Ruth as they walked down the path through Yeats Park. Their destination was the privacy of the bench where Louisa had spied on Sir Aaron and Lady Mathison.
“I’ll be nearby,” Ruth said as they approached Lover’s Nest. “Will you be all right on your own?”
Louisa smiled. “Yes, thank you. I really should apologize for sending him to Hensworth. That was mean-spirited on my part.”
Ruth grinned at her. “Mean-spirited? I don’t believe so. Deceiving? Most definitely.” She walked to a nearby bench where she could do her duty as chaperone but would not encroach on their privacy.
The park was empty, which was best as far as Louisa was concerned. The last thing she needed was an audience listening in on her business. Some people were far too nosy for their own good! Why anyone would be interested in what she had to say to Sir Aaron was beyond her. It was not as if what they would overhear would help them or someone else in any way. Eavesdropping had its place, but not every discussion needed to be overheard. She was glad she had learned that lesson.
As she waited for Sir Aaron to arrive, Louisa considered how she would broach the subject of how she had deceived him. He had every right to be displeased. If Sir Aaron had sent her on such a wild goose chase, she would have returned ready to pummel him.
When she caught sight of the knight sauntering down the path, her breath caught. He truly was a well-formed man, imposing and pleasing to the eye. Too bad he lacked decency.
You should talk, Louisa Dunston! At least he has not been as underhanded as you!
“I placed the tickets in my carriage,” he said, sitting beside her on the bench. “We can discuss them later. For now, I’d like to speak about Hensworth.”
Louisa sighed. “Yes, well, for what I did—”
He raised a hand to forestall her, and she closed her mouth. When he laid his arm across the back of the bench, a sense of being protected washed over her.
“I must admit that I was livid when I learned that the castle was nothing more than a rundown cottage. And when I learned that Lord Artemus was not a lord at all but rather the remnant of a titled family, my ire doubled. I swore to give you a proper scolding when I returned and see you suffer as you made me suffer.”
Louisa nodded, her throat constricted with guilt. “I’m truly sorry,” she whispered. “I was so caught up in what I wanted that I did not consider what my deception would do to you.”
Sir Aaron nodded. “That is why I curbed my anger after seeing you at the theater. I realized I could not hurt you. Even when I felt justified.”
Louisa could not stop her eyebrows from rising in surprise. The kindness in his words came from a genuine place. His heart.
“I don’t care who it is, Miss Dunston, be he a fool of a man such as Jeffery Venter—or myself, for that matter—I don’t wish to see you hurt.Thatwould anger me. For you are a woman who should be cherished.”
His words were like a sweet melody unto her heart, and she had to grasp hold of his arm when her head became light.
Although his declaration pleased her, a question came to mind.
Was she truly a woman to be cherished? She ached to reveal the secret she had told no one, not even her Sisters. What would he do, what would any of them do, if they knew the truth? She was unwilling to take the chance that he would abandon her. The risk of losing him now that they had found one another was too high.
“Well, I believe you’re a hero, Sir Knight. A man who must be honored.” She frowned. Why did he wince at her words?
He’ll tell you once he’s ready,she reminded herself.
“What are we to do from here?” she asked. “I’m tired of the battles we’ve been having. Perhaps it’s time we end this feud.”
Sir Aaron sighed. “I agree. We only spite ourselves with these games we’re playing.” He let out a soft chuckle. “And I’d prefer not to go on any more impromptu journeys to deserted villages.”
Louisa smiled. “Then this is what I propose. Each of us has a different objective in mind for the theater. Yet there is no reason we cannot work together. Therefore, from this moment on, let’s put aside our differences. No more quarreling. No more devious acts. The cost of repairing the roof is far higher than I anticipated. And then there are the other costs, such as painting the walls and replacing the flooring and seating, all of which require even more money. I must focus on the theater, not arguing with you. Therefore, for now, I suggest we concentrate on selling tickets and table our respective plans until later. What say you?”