“Lord Ezra, wait.”
Both men stopped and turned around. “Yes?” Lord Ezra asked.
An image of Miss Louisa came to mind of when they had agreed to work together. They had even shaken hands. Yet she had also confessed that the cost of replacing the roof alone was far more than she had expected. The truth was, with the other repairs needed, she simply would not be able to raise enough funds. The idea of her being humiliated tonight by Lord Ezra did not sit well with him. There was no longer any choice. He had to make a decision.
Aaron approached the two lords, his hand extended. “You have a deal.”
When Lord Ezra took the proffered hand, a coldness Aaron had never encountered before in his life radiated up his arm.
“A wise decision,” Lord Ezra said. “I’ll inform Barker this evening that we’ve joined forces. Afterward, we’ll celebrate our victory.” He placed a hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “By working with me, you’ll find that you’re destined for great things.”
Once the gentlemen were gone, Aaron returned to his seat. With each passing moment, the elation he had felt began to wane. This was what he had always wanted—to make a name for himself. Yet doing so would hurt Miss Louisa.
Given time, she would come to see this was the right decision for everyone concerned. What they needed to focus on now was his desire to make her his wife, for that single act would affect both their lives forever.
ChapterThirty-Three
Ruth had nearly squealed with joy when Mrs. Rutley offered to attend the theater with Louisa rather than requesting that she play chaperone. She had commented more than once that she had better things to do than minding two people who had obviously been made for one another. This suited Louisa just fine. As much as she appreciated her friend’s willingness to be at her side as of late, Louisa was glad to attend a production with someone who enjoyed such activities as Mrs. Rutley did. And Sir Aaron, of course.
The foyer of the theater was so full that many of the attendees had to stand outside as they waited for the play to begin.
From the auditorium came the sounds of the small orchestra tuning their instruments and adding to the buzz of voices.
“I don’t see Sir Aaron,” Louisa said, craning her neck to look over the heads of those who filled the room.
She recognized most of the attendees. Lord Walcott stood speaking to Lady Reynolds and her daughter. Miss Constance was a younger version of her mother with her golden blonde hair, heart-shaped face, and haughty expression. Both wore the same flowing white gown with silver threading throughout the bodice and long, white lace gloves.
Mr. and Mrs. Lush stood beside a nearby column, Mrs. Lush tapping her foot in a way that said she had run out of that which came from her name—Patience. Louisa thought of their twins and the poor soul left to look after them while their parents enjoyed time away. Governess to those children was a position she hoped never to be forced to endure!
“I hope he arrives before the play begins,” Louisa murmured.
“He still has a few minutes,” Mrs. Rutley replied. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon enough.”
“Why, Mrs. Rutley, what are you doing here?”
Louisa turned to find Lord Ezra Colburn pushing through the crowd. And he was not alone. The cruel man who owned the dog she and Sir Aaron had helped was at his side.
“It’s a theater,” Mrs. Rutley replied dryly. “I imagine you can guess my reason for being here.”
Louisa could not help but grin. No one frightened Mrs. Rutley, and Louise drew courage from that fact.
Lord Ezra gave a mirthless laugh, annoyance twisting his features. “I’m sure you’re acquainted with Lord Lenten?”
“I hope you received my letter, Mrs. Rutley,” the blond man said.
“And what makes you think I have not?”
“Because I haven’t received a reply,” Lord Lenten replied.
Mrs. Rutley gave a wry chuckle. “I’ll respond in due time, my lord, and not a moment before.”
“See that you do,” Lord Lenten snapped. Then he looked at Louisa. “I wish you luck in your endeavor this evening, Miss Dunston,” he said, and then the two men walked away.
“How does he know what I hope to do?” Louisa asked, frowning. “And why did Lord Lenten write to you?”
Mrs. Rutley raised an eyebrow. “That is my business and not yours, Louisa. And what does it matter if he knows? It’s not as if you haven’t told everyone in the village about your plans.”
Louisa bit at her lip in frustration. Something was amiss, but she could not place what it was. Those two men were up to no good, that much was evident. Did they hope to embarrass Mrs. Rutley somehow tonight?