‘Good evening, Leah.’ Dolph drank in her ivory skin dotted with those fascinating freckles, and her stunning turquoise eyes. Oh, how he had missed her.
‘My lord.’ A frown of disapproval creased her brow. ‘I was unaware of your intention to come to London. You have left the children? After all your promises to put them first?’
‘I had some unfinished business to attend to, but I have brought them with me.’
Her frown cleared at his words. Dolph sent his gaze around the room and saw several pairs of resentful eyes watching them. He crooked his arm. ‘Would you care to stroll? I have news for you.’
Leah placed her hand on his forearm and Dolph reined in his urge to cover her hand with his. Her scent wreathed through his senses, in part familiar, and yet her own scent was overlaid with an unfamiliar, evocative floral perfume.
‘Did Lord Hinckley accompany you to London?’
‘No. He found he could not tear himself away from Somerset.’
‘Ahhhhh.’ Her lips curved as she sighed with satisfaction. ‘He could not leave Philippa?’
‘He offered for Miss Strong on the morning we left, and she accepted him.’
‘I am delighted. Philippa deserves to be happy.’
They strolled on, through an open door at one end of the room and into another, equally crowded but with one distinct advantage, as far as Dolph was concerned. It did not contain Leah’s flock of admirers but instead consisted of an older group of guests, mainly gentlemen recognisable to Dolph as ex-military.
Dolph glanced sideways as Leah spoke. Her mouth might smile but her eyes were sad. Without volition, his hand now covered hers, and he gently squeezed. If George was right about Leah’s feelings for Dolph, then he had hurt her. Badly. He’d been a blind idiot not to see what had been in front of his nose.
‘We all deserve to be happy,’ he murmured.
Her head bowed, and he noticed her eyes screw shut for an instant, as though she were in pain. ‘Tell me. The children are well?’
‘They are.’
‘Your business must be exceedingly important for you to come rushing up to London like this.’
‘Oh, it is. It is, without doubt, the most important business of my entire life.’
‘I see.’
He knew she would question him no further. He needed to explain himself—to throw himself upon her mercy—but this was neither the time nor the place for such an intimate and emotional discussion. She would know everything soon enough, and he would find out if her feelings for him were strong enough to withstand the truth about Rebecca. Frustration bubbled through him. He longed to find a quiet spot, to take her in his arms and to kiss away her doubts. But only a scoundrel would do that before telling her the full truth and giving her the chance to reject him.
Wouldn’t he?
Almost without conscious thought, he scanned the library and spied a single door set into the far wall. It was closed, meaning what lay beyond was not open to guests. Dolph changed the direction of their stroll to ensure they passed close by it even as a voice inside clamoured he was being unfair.
‘Who is caring for the boys? Have you found a new governess for them?’
‘I have. Miss Pike. She is a cousin of the Reverend Strong. And she has a one-eyed parrot. Horatio.’
‘A parrot?’ Her lips quirked, and the memory of their taste, their texture, their eagerness, exploded through him. She soon sobered. ‘Then the boys will have forgotten all about me already, I fear.’
‘No. None of us have forgotten you. Nicky asked only today if they may visit you.’
Leah’s fingers tightened on his arm, and Dolph sent her a sideways look, just in time to see the glint of a tear on her lower lashes, and to catch the hitch in her breath.
‘I am sorry. I did not mean to distress you.’
‘And I did not intend to allow my emotions to overcome me.’ Leah touched the corner of her eye with one gloved finger. ‘Foolish woman! I do apologise.’
Dolph reached for his pocket handkerchief and moved to shield her from view, although, judging by the general hubbub, the other guests were too engrossed in their own conversation to take much notice of the two of them. He pushed his handkerchief into Leah’s hand. She snatched it from him and quickly thrust it out of sight in her reticule.
‘Not in front of everyone, please,’ she hissed. ‘There are already people who look to find fault with every little thing about us—about me and Aurelia, I mean—without handing them more ammunition with a display of vulgar emotion, as Mrs Butterby would say.’
Dolph stared down at her. Her eyes still brimmed with tears and, as he watched, one drop spilled over her lashes and slowly tracked down her cheek. She bent her head and another tear plopped to the floor. With a muttered exclamation, he cupped her elbow and steered her to that door, opened it and nudged her through. A glance behind showed nobody taking any notice, so he followed her, shutting the door behind them. The room was dark, but another door, slightly ajar, allowed enough light to reveal they were in a small parlour. Dolph strode to the second door and peered out to see it opened into the back of the entrance hall. He used a tinderbox upon the mantelshelf to light a candle.
‘Why do you imagine people are looking to find fault in you?’
A quiet, bitter-sounding laugh escaped her. ‘We have seen the looks. Heard the comments. It would appear the purity of our breeding is in question. As if we were a couple of racehorses.’
Dolph bit back a laugh at her disgruntled tone. ‘You should ignore them. It is pure jealousy and spite, for the most part. They are envious of your good fortune.’ His voice deepened as he stepped closer to her. ‘And of your beauty.’
She stared up at him. ‘Beauty? Now I know you are flannelling me. And I thank you for it, but there is no need to try and make me feel better with false compliments.’
‘The compliment was not false. You stand out as a diamond among all the other females here, despite your lack of jewels.’ He stroked one finger down the silk ribbon and paused as he reached the ring. ‘You still wear your mama’s ring, I see.’
Her hand rose to her chest, and her fingers brushed his as she touched the ring. ‘It is more precious to me than any jewels. It keeps her memory close.’
His heart ached at the sadness in her voice. She had lost both parents. She had no family. She had been forced to earn her living at what was often a thankless task, and he—the one person who should have protected her against more hardship—had effectively driven her away from where she was happy. Nothing could excuse his behaviour. He hadn’t recognised his love for Leah just as he hadn’t recognised Rebecca’s despair. He truly was a failure, and he was ashamed.
Dolph placed two fingers beneath Leah’s chin, tilting her face to his. ‘Leah... I—’
The door behind them opened, and they jumped apart as Miss Croome stalked into the room, glaring at Dolph.
‘Leah! Mrs Butterby is hunting high and low for you. You had better come with me before she creates an uproar over your disappearance. It is fortunate I was watching you and saw Lord Dolphinstone spirit you away.’
‘Spirit me away? Aurelia... I am in no danger from His Lordship, I assure you.’
‘Your reputation is in danger.’ Miss Croome’s blue eyes, flashing like sapphires, scrutinised Dolph from head to toe and back again. ‘Why have you come to London?’
Leah gasped. ‘Aurelia! Please—’
Dolph touched Leah’s arm. ‘It is all right, Leah. Miss Croome is entitled to wonder why we are here alone, and to question my motives. I am in London on personal business, Miss Croome.’
His gaze sought Leah’s as he spoke. A blush stole up her neck to her cheeks, and her fingers sought her mother’s ring. Her throat moved as she swallowed.
Her eyes clung to his as she said, ‘Aurelia, will you kindly go to Mrs Butterby and reassure her I am found and perfectly safe?’
That suspicious blue gaze transferred to Leah. ‘Come with me.’
‘I will be right behind you. I promise.’
Miss Croome drew herself up to her full height, meaning the top of her head barely reached Dolph’s shoulder. Her eyes narrowed. ‘If Leah does not appear in three minutes, I shall return, so be warned.’
She stalked from the room.
‘I see I have no need to fear for your safety when you have your own personal bodyguard,’ Dolph said, with a laugh. ‘She is rather protective, is she not? It makes me wonder what you have told her about me.’
‘I have told her nothing. She is aware you were my employer, and that is all. I only met Aurelia for the first time at that meeting in Bristol. I do not know her well enough to share confidences...not that there are any confidences to tell, of course. And,’ she added, ‘you are no longer responsible for me, so there is no need for you to fear for my safety or to concern yourself about anything to do with me.’
‘Touché.’ Dolph cupped Leah’s shoulders. ‘Leah...listen... I am aware we do not have much time. That personal business...’ He watched her closely. ‘It involves you.’
‘Oh.’ Her smile wavered. ‘I appear to be lost for words. Can you enlighten me with more details of this personal business?’
‘I cannot. At least, not fully. There are things I must tell you that will take more time than we have available now. May I call upon you tomorrow?’
‘Yes. I shall look forward to it.’ Her expression belied her words and the tremor in her voice signalled her doubts.
He had caused this. And, all at once, he understood Pidge had been right. Her performance as a queen among her entourage had been precisely that. A performance. And his treatment of her had added to her doubts about her own allure.
Dolph’s hands firmed on her shoulders and he drew her slowly towards him.
‘I have missed you more than you could ever know, my sweet Leah.’ He lowered his face as hers tilted towards him. His mouth brushed hers and then settled. Her response was, as ever, heartbreakingly honest—her lips softening beneath his in a slow, sensual kiss that set his pulse racing. Too soon, she pulled away, her hands flat upon his chest.
‘I must go.’ Her deep turquoise gaze searched his. ‘You should know—my reasons for refusing your offer have not changed.’
Forever honest. He gently brushed back a stray lock of her hair at her temple.
‘But my reasons for making that offer have changed, dear Leah. However...’ he placed his forefinger against her lips as her mouth opened to speak ‘...there is something I must tell you first. Something you need to understand, before we speak of the future. So we will talk tomorrow.’
He put his arms around her and pulled her close, just holding her. His eyes closed and he breathed in her floral scent. What would tomorrow bring? Would she understand why he had hesitated to admit—or even recognise—his feelings for her? Would she willingly face the risk of being his wife? And yet, even as those thoughts crossed his mind, he began to realise the benign neglect that had dogged his marriage to Rebecca need not be repeated. His future was in his hands. Unlike then—and whether it was because he was now older and more mature, or whether it was because it was Leah rather than Rebecca, and he loved her with his whole heart—he no longer viewed his decision to give up his government business as a sacrifice. He felt as though he would be content to stay at Dolphin Court with Leah for the remainder of his days. He loved her. Never in his life had he felt that emotion so deeply, so naturally, so passionately.
With reluctance, he released her.
‘Come. Let us go before Miss Croome returns to savage me once again.’
He took her hand and led her to the door into the entrance hall. A swift peek revealed only servants—a footman on duty by the front door and two maids waiting to assist guests with their coats upon arrival and departure. Dolph urged Leah through the door and followed her out into the hall and then into the room in which he had first seen her. It was still packed with guests.
Miss Croome pounced the minute they entered. ‘I was about to come looking for you again,’ she hissed. ‘Mrs Butterby has the headache now, no doubt from all the worry you’ve caused.’
‘Nonsense!’ said Leah. ‘There is no need to be overly dramatic, Aurelia.’
Miss Croome’s blue eyes raked Dolph once again. ‘If there was nothing clandestine in your little tête-à-tête, why did His Lordship not introduce himself to your chaperone?’
‘Aurelia. Please...’
Miss Croome’s expression softened, and she took Leah’s hand. ‘I am sorry. I am worried for you, and that has sharpened my tongue, perhaps.’ She bit her lip and looked up at Dolph. ‘I apologise, my lord.’
‘You were rightly concerned for your friend,’ he said. ‘And now, Miss Croome, perhaps you will be kind enough to conduct us to your Mrs Butterby, for you are quite right, and I should have made myself known to her at the outset.’
Leah’s smile warmed his heart. They followed Miss Croome through the throng to a slender, grey-haired lady, whose drawn features did indeed give the impression she was in pain.
‘Mrs Butterby,’ said Leah. ‘May I introduce Lord Dolphinstone? My lord, this is Mrs Butterby, who is kindly standing as chaperone for myself and Miss Croome for the duration of our time in London.’
Mrs Butterby curtsied. ‘I am pleased to meet you, my lord. I do hope you will call upon us while you are in Town.’
Dolph bowed. ‘Thank you, ma’am. I have already asked Miss Thame if I might call upon her tomorrow.’
Mrs Butterby’s eyes widened. ‘I shall look forward to your visit, my lord.’
Leah took the older woman by the arm. ‘Are you quite well, dear ma’am? Aurelia said you are suffering the headache.’
‘Oh. Well. Yes, indeed, but it is only very slight.’
‘It does not look to me to be only slight. It is unbearably hot and stuffy in here, not to mention the noise. Shall we go home?’
‘Well, if you and Aurelia have no objection, I must confess it would be a relief.’
‘I have no objection,’ said Miss Croome.
‘Nor I,’ said Leah.
Mrs Butterby scanned the room distractedly. ‘In that case, I shall find Lady Todmorden and say our goodbyes while you girls bespeak our carriage and our cloaks. Lord Dolphinstone, I am sorry we must leave, but I shall look forward to meeting you properly tomorrow.’
Dolph bowed and watched her walk away. Miss Croome stirred then. ‘I shall order the carriage. I will meet you in the hall, Leah.’ And she, too, walked away.
Dolph scanned the crowd and became aware of the many pairs of eyes upon him. Mostly male, and somewhat disgruntled.
‘Might I escort you to the door?’ Dolph took Leah’s hand and placed it upon his sleeve very deliberately—a non-verbal statement as to his intentions, aimed at every last one of those fortune hunters. ‘Shall I call upon you at eleven? Will that be acceptable?’
‘It will.’
Miss Croome, already wearing her mantle, was waiting in the entrance hall.
‘Which is your coat?’
‘The green pelisse.’ Leah indicated the garment held by the waiting maid.
Dolph moved behind her, holding the pelisse as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. As he settled the coat across her shoulders, the tips of his fingers brushed first the satiny skin of her neck and then a silky curl of hair that had escaped its pin. His breath stirred the soft hairs at her nape, and he saw gooseflesh erupt and felt her quiver in response. His own pulse thrummed, and the blood surged to his groin, causing him to grow hard. He wanted her. Ached for her.
Such a simple action, to assist her with her coat, and yet his reaction stirred so many complex needs and worries and regrets and...guilt. His old friend guilt. Seizing on a sudden impulse, he bent his head and put his lips to her ear.
‘Do not stop believing, my sweet Leah.’
Her shoulders tensed beneath his hands. Her chaperone chose that moment to bustle into the hall, and Dolph took advantage of the distraction to press a kiss to the side of Leah’s neck.
‘All will be well. I promise you.’