“I wonder what surprise Lady Basset has in store for us,” Lady Maria said, arranging her gown so that it wouldn’t get crushed in the carriage. They were on their way to Lady Basset’s rout. She had been hinting about the surprise for a month. Bets were being placed at White’s about it. Gareth glanced at Laura. She hadn’t spoken a word since they had left Daventon House.
Lady Basset’s ruse had paid off. The rooms were packed with members of the ton trying very hard not to elbow one another in the ribs.
“My brother writes that it used to be in a temple. It is shocking what those heathens will worship. I had it covered up so that it did not corrupt young minds,” Lady Basset said, standing in a proprietary fashion beside the three thousand-year-old idol.
Laura fanned herself as she came out into the garden. Many other guests were also outside, the fresh air a relief from the crush indoors.
“Are you all right?” Anthony asked, coming to her side.
“I didn’t see you,” Laura said, and blushed. Why did she always let him know she had looked for him!
“I won’t be surprised if someone faints inside. Where’s Gareth?”
“He is with Mother. I told him I would wait outside.”
“Drink this. It should help,” Anthony said, planting a glass of lemonade in her hand.
Laura sipped the tart liquid and looked at Anthony. His face was inches from hers. If they were in a ballroom, their closeness would have raised eyebrows. But they stood in a crush of people. With more people spilling out of the doors, the crowd grew dense.
Anthony put his arm around Laura and turned his back towards the crowd. He drew her close, sheltering her in the cocoon of his arms. Laura leaned into his strength. “Anthony,” she murmured, tasting the name on her lips.
In spite of the noise, Laura heard Anthony’s heart beating. She also sensed a tremor in his arms. His hand brushed her face in a caress. And then he was holding her arms, gently moving her away.
“Laura, my dear, we don’t want Gareth worried for you,” he said.
Laura stared up at him wordlessly. He loved her! He couldn’t look at her like that and not feel anything!
“Shall we look for Gareth?” Anthony asked.
His hand came up again as if to stroke her cheek. Instead, he tucked an errant curl behind her ear and offered his arm. They met Gareth as he was coming out, with Lady Maria on one arm and his mother on the other.
“Laura, are you all right?” he asked.
“She’s all right, Gareth. I saw her as soon as she came out into the garden.”
“Abominable affair. Shall we return home? Cook should be able to serve some cold cuts,” Lady Maria said.
“Capital idea. Anthony, you are invited to join us.”
“Sorry, old man! I have a dinner party to attend,” Anthony said.
“Your Grace, Lord Daventon told me of your visit this morning,” Lady Maria said. “I shall do everything possible to help Lady Mannering. By a lucky chance, my grandmother is hosting a small gathering this week.”
Laura’s spirits fell. Anthony had called upon Gareth because he was concerned about Lady Mannering. He did not care for her in the least. She had longed for him to come into the drawing room. Every time the door had opened, she had hoped it was he. He must have known she was in the drawing room. If he had wanted to see her, he would have come in. Fool! He only cares for Lady Mannering. He is courting her and does not want her to suffer from the gossip. He must love her very much to seek help from his friends.
She did not hear the rest of the conversation until Lady Maria addressed her. “Laura, you must accompany me to Lady Mannering's tomorrow.”
***
Bessie was surprised that Laura wanted to retire so early. It was Lady Basset’s rout, she decided. Her mistress was tired out. Poor lamb.
Laura waited until Bessie drew the curtains around her bed and tiptoed out of the room. She opened her eyes and sighed. Why was everything so difficult? Life would be far easier if a lady was permitted to ask a gentleman whether he cared for her. How was she to know whether Anthony had feelings for her? She had felt her pulse leap when he had smiled at her. And when she had nestled against his chest, she thought her heart would burst!
A lady’s education was designed to train her for the role of a married woman. The housekeeping was good enough. But it would be more helpful for a young woman to know how to read a gentleman’s intentions. It couldn’t be helped. She couldn’t ask anyone to fill those gaps in her knowledge. Not even to Maria could she reveal anything. It would be mortifying if she was mistaken.
She feared she was indeed mistaken. Anthony was an honorable gentleman. He would not trifle with a lady’s name. His attentions to Lady Mannering must mean something. Which meant he was only being gallant to her. At Lady Basset’s rout, he was protecting her from the crush of people milling around her. She was his friend’s sister.
I hope he doesn’t think of me as his sister!
Laura pushed aside her doubts. Her moments of closeness with Anthony were far more pleasurable. She relived them again. She saw Anthony’s face. She breathed in his closeness and with a contented smile, drifted into a dream-filled sleep.
***
Anthony took leave of his hostess with relief. Never had a dinner party felt so tedious. Laura filled his thoughts. It had felt so right to have her in his arms. He had wanted to pull her closer and never let her go. Everything about her was enchanting. The pearly sheen of her skin, the gold in her hair, and the delicate fragrance of her being. When he looked into her eyes, he saw only love. A chaste love.
Could he accept her love when he had only scandal to offer in return? Laura had already suffered on account of her parents’ situation. It wouldn’t be fair to mire her into more scandal. He knew she would stand by his side. She was strong. The fools who called her Lovely Laura only saw the beauty of her face and form. That beauty paled in front of her strength and compassion. The question was not whether she would accept him after knowing the truth but whether he was prepared to see her suffer on his account.
On returning to his townhouse, his butler informed him that Philip had called twice. “Your Grace, he said the matter is urgent.”
Anthony’s brow furrowed. Had Philip come to make more threats or to come clean about his snide remarks about Margaret? Whatever it was, his vile cousin was one reason why he ought to keep away from Laura.