Page 7 of Rescuing Lord Inglewood

“Is that what you believe as well, my lord?” Diana asked, a note of challenge in her voice. “That such a public display will be forgotten, and Esther’s reputation spared? Because you know how the ton reacts to such things better than I possibly could.” The words did not sound as though she believed them. Rather, Esther thought, it sounded as though Diana mocked the idea.

Mortification sank beneath her skin, but Esther tried not to sound disturbed by Diana’s insinuations. “I am certain it will be fine. I am nobody. No one will even know my name well enough to connect it to Lord Inglewood’s.”

“Mrs. Aubrey, Sir Isaac and his sister are my friends—” Silas’s words were cut off abruptly by Diana’s raised voice.

“Then you ought to be more concerned for Esther’s reputation.”

Long, silent seconds passed while Esther attempted to come up with a way to settle Diana’s nerves. Unfortunately, her head had begun to pound in earnest, filling her mind with a thrumming fog she could not think past. Why must everything be complicated? Why could they not forget the whole incident and go about as though nothing had happened?

Esther had no wish to put Isaac’s friend in a difficult situation. She knew Lord Inglewood’s family well, had grown up playing at their estate. Most of her memories of Silas Riley, the Earl of Inglewood, consisted of being left behind while Silas and Isaac went off with their other friends.

“You are too little,” had been the refrain to keep her away from their games. “Go back to the nursery.”

“Mrs. Aubrey, I assure you that I am most concerned for Miss Fox.” Silas’s voice had lowered when Diana’s raised, remaining calm and certain. His voice reverberated through the room, as it must in the chambers of Lords. “If anyone dares to question her reputation, I will put them in their place.”

“And what makes you think that will be enough?” Diana asked. “Mr. Aubrey is not at home at present, but were he here, I feel certain he would remind you of your duty. The honorable thing would be to make an offer, Lord Inglewood.”

Esther sucked in a breath and pushed herself up, the room spinning rather horribly. She ignored the way the floor and ceiling tried to switch places and started talking before Silas could speak.

“Diana, that is hardly necessary. I have no wish to force Lord Inglewood’s hand on this matter. He need not suffer for my actions. Saving his life was not done in order for me to take it away from him at the first opportunity.” She started gasping for air, her stomach rolling.

Diana turned around, her normally kind and motherly manner replaced with the disposition of a prickly hedgehog. “Do not put yourself down so, Esther. You would be a fine match for any man. Truly, it is what is right and best, for Lord Inglewood to do the honorable thing—”

“We do not even know that it is necessary to protect my reputation.” The small breakfast Esther had eaten roiled inside her stomach, though she kept swallowing in an attempt to keep it there. She put a hand to her mouth and looked about for the bucket she had seen before.

“Everyone will be talking about this, especially since you are in Lady Sparton’s house, and the woman is an absolute glutton for rumor.” Diana glared, her eyebrows pulling together. “Esther, you are not looking well.”

Silas stepped around Diana, practically pushing the woman out of the way, holding a pail and putting it immediately beneath Esther’s face. She spared him one grateful look, too sick to care at what he was about to witness, and grabbed the pail in both hands before casting up her accounts.

Diana gasped and backed away. “Oh. Oh, my.”

A warm hand brushed Esther’s hair back from her face. She opened her eyes, peering up through her lashes at Silas. She tried to apologize without saying a word, disgusted with herself now that the deed was done. Silas only smiled, in a commiserating sort of way, before tucking the loose hair on the other side of her face back as well.

“You need to rest, Miss Fox. I am afraid that will not happen while I am present.” He put the bucket down for her and helped her lie back. Then his expression hardened, not unkindly, but in a most determined manner. He faced Diana, his stance firm.

“Mrs. Aubrey, the doctor stipulated that Miss Fox remain here for an hour. She has perhaps half of that left to get through. Then she is to be taken home and allowed to rest as much as possible, in as unexcited a manner as possible. I will call upon you and your husband tomorrow afternoon to discuss what, if anything, ought to be done about this rather unique situation. Good day to you both.” He bowed, and Diana seemed to curtsy more out of habit than any desire to be polite. Silas gave Esther one last glance, sharing a grimace that somehow managed to be compassionate.

“You there,” he said, gesturing to the footman. “Perhaps you could see to it Miss Fox is given a clean bucket.” Then he left the room, the servant hurrying to pick up the pail and follow.

“I never,” Diana muttered. She looked down at Esther, then where the pail had been a moment before. She turned somewhat green. “I cannot decide if he is the best or worst of gentlemen.”

“I would venture to guess best.” Esther squeezed her eyes shut. “Isaac has always admired Lord Inglewood.”

Diana huffed and her footsteps shuffled away. “Your brother is hardly the best judge of societal responsibility, running off to battle when he has an estate and title to maintain.”

That was a familiar argument, too old now to raise Esther’s ire. She’d given up trying to defend her brother’s decision to her stepbrother or his wife. Instead, she concentrated on breathing slowly, trying to ignore the throbbing in the back of her head. At least her stomach had settled somewhat.

They passed the remainder of the hour in quiet, then a most contrite Lady Sparton appeared with tea.

“Lord Inglewood spoke to me again before leaving,” the woman said, handing a cup to Esther. “He is most concerned for your well-being.”

Esther regarded the woman with some surprise. She had not expected to see the lady of the house, but the woman sat in a chair, dressed as though prepared to receive callers. “I must say,” the lady continued, looking from Esther to Diana, “I have never seen a nobleman give such notice, such attention, to a stranger.”

Surprise melted into suspicion.

“Lord Inglewood is an old family friend,” Diana said, her tone almost careless. “He is like a brother to Sir Isaac.”

Bless Diana, even for all her earlier interference. If Lady Sparton rooted about for a way to turn the events of the day into a more dramatic tale, Diana would throw obstacles in her path. Esther hadn’t the wherewithal to spar verbally. Though, the tea did help to clear her head.