Page 56 of The Chaperone
‘I … I think the more pertinent thing, Lord Rothley, is that you are notyourfather.’
‘Ah.’ He paused. ‘Had you assumed that the sins of the father were those gleefully perpetrated by the son? I did wonder. What was it that gave you cause, ma’am?’ His smile remained, though it was fixed, and his eyes questioned.
‘Nothing that you did, sir, but my distrust of myself, and a misunderstanding of …’ She stopped. Did he know that Susan was his half-sister? If he did not, would it be right to tell him? She spoke a little cryptically. ‘My mother was vehement that we should not be seen in frequent company with you. I found this confusing, since you are everywhere received and, forgive my bluntness, mamas do not hide their vulnerable offspring from you.’
‘No, I have to say they do not. There are occasions when I almost wish they would … but I interrupt.’
‘Yes, well you see now I understand why Mama held this belief. I should also say I heard two older ladies discussing “Roving Rothley”’, “Rake Rothley”, and jumped to a very wrong conclusion. I am very sorry for it, my lord. I have been uncivil and …’
He waved away her apology and concentrated upon the important fact. ‘You understand why Lady Chelmarsh thought as she did. I see.’ He paused. ‘We share colouring, but I hope little else, you know.’ He saw her patent relief and laughed. ‘Yes ma’am, I am aware of the relationship between myself and your cousin. I was not until that day when Tyneham met us all in Hyde Park and then … well, the suspicion made me write to my disreputable parent and ascertain the truth. I have been cudgelling my brains how to intimate to you that I was not the reprobate you thought me without revealing what I thought you did not know, and it turns out you have been labouring under the same difficulty.’
‘Only since Lord Tyneham revealed it to me when Susan …’
‘Absconded?’
‘You know? Oh, my goodness, if it is common knowledge …’
‘Have no fears on that score. I had it from Fawley, who would no more reveal it than I would. He, er, is aware that I have, shall we say, a brotherly interest in Miss Tyneham, and thought it only right I should know. I believe he had the tale through things Lady Harriet let slip. He says she treats him like an uncle, which is both charming and very lowering, as you can imagine.’
‘Oh yes, poor Sir Esmond,’ Sophy responded, without really concentrating. She was coming to terms with the enormous relief of knowing that Lord Rothley was privy to the same awful secret, and the feeling that somehow it lessened the burden.
He was watching her closely, seeing the emotions, however well contained, flicker across her face and linger in her eyes. His manner became more serious.
‘I take it that Tyneham has not made his sister’s true parentage public. Does she know, herself?’
Sophy shook her head.
‘I do not think he wishes it in the public domain to “protect” his father’s name, but he has said he may tell Susan when the Season is over, and pay her to leave Tyneham Court and his life, when she reaches full age.’
‘Charitable of him,’ declared Lord Rothley, sarcastically. ‘Lady Sophy, let us be open with one another. I cannot act as I would wish, cannot involve myself publicly in your cousin – and my sister’s – affairs for fear of unwelcome revelations. However, you are not alone when having to cope with her. If there is, at any point, a way in which I can assist you, you have but to say it. I offered as much some time since, but I think then it was misinterpreted.’
Sophy nodded, and coloured.
‘Part of me so wished that I might trust you, and yet …’
‘That does not matter now. I would also say that Sir Esmond Fawley is also with us on this, and can be equally trusted.’
‘Sir Esmond is a true gentleman, and I do trust him.’
‘Should I aspire to that same level?’ His brow rose in interrogation.
‘There is not the need, my lord. I have never distrusted you upon my own instincts.’ She looked at him, a little shyly, and extended her hand.
He took it, wondering for a moment if he might carry it to his lips and make the depth of his feelings clear, but instead he clasped it strongly, and shook it. There had been enough disclosures for one day, and it did not feel the right time.
‘Since we are being open with one another, I would also like to say that I believe the sole care of your sister and cousin has been a heavy burden upon you, ma’am, one which you have borne admirably, but one which is now lessened by Lady Harriet’s betrothal and by no longer standing alone to “guard” Miss Susan Tyneham. You might therefore permit yourself a little time to consider yourself, and what your aspirations might be.’ He still had hold of her hand. ‘I would hope that you do not look upon me as less than a friend, and would ask you to—’ He suddenly stopped, for the words left him.
There was a short silence.
‘You are right, my lord. I have had no opportunity to think of myself these last weeks, and would appreciate the chance to do so. I would ask a little time, to be clear in my own mind.’
It was odd, he thought. They were talking of the same thing, yet both afraid to say it openly, as if to do so would place some curse upon it. He sensed that she was inclined to favour him, and certainly wished to count him a friend. He was sure of his own mind and heart, but if she needed time he would give her that time. He would give her anything in his power. And besides, his sister had committed virtually every folly possible, so there was little worse she could do.
This only proved that he knew his half-sister not at all.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Lord Pinkney could not be said to have hadmuch opportunity to beguile the wild but naive Miss Tyneham, since she was, as she described it, shackled to her cousins. He had expected that he would need to be at his most suave and charming to get her into the frame of mind where she, however full of bravado she may appear, would contemplate that ultimate indiscretion for the Society debutante, an elopement to the Border. However, her antipathy towards the world in general, and her cousins in particular, seemed to be providing enough incentive for her to do something truly outrageous without him having to pay excessive court to her.
