Once Upon a Temptingly Ruinous Kiss: #2 The Whickertons in Love, page 6
Blinking, she willed a smile on her face. “I’m perfectly all right.”
The look on her mother’s face suggested that she did not quite believe her daughter. Leonora thought to glimpse concern there as well as the desire to inquire further. Fortunately, not a word in that direction left her mother’s lips. Instead, she heaved a bit of a sigh, a soft smile coming to her face, before she lifted a hand and gently tugged a stray curl behind Leonora’s ear. “I shall miss her as well,” she whispered, glancing over her shoulder at Louisa and Phineas. “I am very happy for them, but I shall miss her.”
Leonora nodded, realizing only in that moment that she, too, would miss her sister dearly. As different as they always had been, somehow, they had still always found a way to stand side-by-side, to walk through life hand-in-hand. Especially now, Leonora needed Louisa to be there. Still, she knew she could not stand in the way of her sister’s happiness. “Oh, she shall not be far. Knowing Louisa, she will spend more time here than we might like.”
Her mother chuckled, brushing a gentle hand down Leonora’s arm before giving her hand an encouraging squeeze. “I shall very much hope so.”
The moment her mother strode away to see to their guests, Leonora found her gaze straying back to the spot where Lord Pemberton was standing…or rather had been standing.
Now, it seemed a void had opened up in his place.
Leonora’s eyes flew open, and her heart picked up its rhythm as she craned her neck to try and catch a glimpse of him. Why it upset her so to lose sight of him was a question she had asked herself countless times. Her reaction was irrational. It did not make any sense, and that frustrated Leonora to no ends.
When she finally spotted him, he was just then taking his leave from the newlyweds, inclining his head kindly, but uttering no more than a few polite words. Then he strode from the room. Still, before he vanished, those watchful gray eyes met hers for a split-second as though he too could not bring himself to leave without once more acknowledging her presence.
Nevertheless, the result was the same. He was gone while she was still here. In a room full of people. People she had known for years. Some were family. Some were friends. Some were acquaintances. Some she would trust with her life while others…
Of course, Leonora had always known that not every smile spoke of happiness and kindness. Still, the depths of evil that could be hiding behind such an amiable gesture had shocked her, had made her doubt everything she thought she knew. More than that, it made her look at each and every smile and wonder what may lie beneath. Who could she trust? And whom should she doubt?
Perhaps it was the simple fact that Lord Pemberton had not smiled at her that had made her trust him. Because she did trust him, did she not? That, too, was irrational, and yet, it was true. Had the world turned upside down? Why was it that only very few things still made sense?
Finding herself alone once more, Leonora willed herself to inhale one deep breath after another. Her eyes flitted over the attending gentlemen, and she could not help the thoughts that sprang up in her mind. Thoughts that recalled the night of the masquerade. Thoughts that whispered of an attacker whose face she had never seen. Thoughts that whispered.…he could be anyone.
Perhaps even someone she knew.
Even someone she trusted?
Out in the country at Whickerton Grove with only her family around, Leonora had almost been able to forget what had happened. With her family, she felt safe. Their family interactions had brought back a sense of normalcy she had not felt in London. Leonora had cherished these moments. Deep down, she knew that the reason why she did not confide in her family was not because she did not trust them, but because she worried about how they would look at her if they knew and how that would make her feel. Now, they treated her as they always had and Leonora needed them to. But what would they do if they knew? They could not help her. They could not change what had happened. They could not magically determine her attacker’s identity and give her peace of mind. The truth was, that no one could help her. Somehow, she had to find a way to conquer this fear despite the danger that might lurk around any corner. The only question was how?
Stepping up to the window, Leonora looked down into the icy garden, her gaze trailing along the path that ran alongside the hedge on the border to the townhouse next door. His townhouse.
Lord Pemberton’s.
In all likelihood, he had returned home upon leaving their house. Was he there now? In his study perhaps? Leonora felt the sudden, inexplicable urge to leave, to leave her parents’ house and…
Her gaze fell on the gap in the hedge through which Harry and Chris had often sneaked when they had wanted to meet up with Lord Hartmore’s daughter, Sarah. Sarah, too, had frequently used that secret path to visit the sisters over here. It had been there for as long as Leonora could remember, and it still was.
Ignoring the warning bells that went off in her head, Leonora found herself turning away from the window and striding from the room. She did not say a word to anyone. She simply left, afraid that if she paused to think about it even if only for a moment, she would lose her nerve. So, she kept her thoughts focused on the steps ahead, not on what she was doing or the consequences of her actions, but simply on the next step and then the next and the next.
In the hall, she donned a cloak, pulling it tightly around her shoulders and slipping the hood over her head. Then she proceeded to the back of the house and sneaked out the back door. An icy chill brushed against her skin as she pulled the cloak tighter around herself. Then she hurried onward, down the few steps and along the path until she came to stand in front of the gap in the hedge. She paused for no more than a split second, her mind still focused on nothing beyond the next step.
And then she was through and found herself in a garden she had seen many times before. It had not changed since she had last been here, and it was enough to reassure her, to hurry onward still.
Leonora slipped inside through the side door, one she had opened and closed and stepped through countless times. Of course, more often than not it had been Harry and Chris to sneak over here, but every once in a while, in years long past, Leonora had accompanied her two younger sisters. The memory of their childhood adventures brought a smile to her face, and she wished she had been able to hold on to these innocent times.
Glancing around, Leonora noticed that Lady Hartmore’s elaborate style had been replaced with simple furnishings. Of course, Leonora could not speak to the rooms, however, the hallways no longer seemed to be overpowered by countless colors flowing into one another. More often than not, Leonora remembered thinking that Lady Hartmore should simply decide on a color and then take it from there.
In the distance, the soft sound of footsteps echoed to Leonora’s ears, and she paused in mid-step, her breath lodged in her throat. What if someone were to come upon her? Her mind suddenly screamed, reminding her of the consequences she had ignored thus far. Indeed, venturing over here by herself had been a ludicrous thought. Even knowing that, though, Leonora could not bring herself to turn back. She knew she could not go on as she had thus far. She needed help. She needed peace of mind…even more than she needed to maintain her reputation.
Fortunately, the footsteps retreated after a while, and so Leonora moved onward, heading toward where Lord Hartmore’s study had once been. Of course, she could not know where Lord Pemberton was at present; however, it was a reasonable assumption that he would retreat into a personal space upon returning home. Men often spent their days in their study, did they not? Her father and her brother often did, discussing family matters and seeing to the upkeep of the family’s estates.
As Leonora drew closer, she suddenly heard the sound of a man’s voice. A man who was not Lord Pemberton.
An ice-cold shiver trailed across her skin, and Leonora felt her teeth grind together and her hands ball into fists as she paused outside the door.
“It shall not be easy,” the unknown man said with a scoff. “I assure you I shall do my very best. However, with as little information as you have provided me, I must tell you quite frankly that I do not entertain high hopes of returning to you with satisfying information, Lord Pemberton.”
A moment of silence followed before Leonora could hear footsteps. Then Lord Pemberton’s voice drifted through the closed door. “Do what you can,” he instructed the other man, his tone hard and determined. “I require a guest list. A complete guest list. The Hamilton masquerade will take place in a matter of months yet again.” Leonora drew in sharp breath. “If you are unable to acquire it by then, I suggest you as well as a few of your associates attend that night in order to procure the necessary information.”
“As you wish,” the other man replied, a mixture of eagerness and annoyance mingling in his voice.
Leonora was all but frozen to the spot. However, the moment she heard footsteps drawing closer to the door, her limbs—to her utter surprise!—suddenly moved without conscious thought. She dashed away and hid behind a heavy curtain, its dark coloring hiding her from sight.
In the next second, the door to Lord Pemberton’s study opened, and the two men stepped outside. They bid each other farewell, and then Leonora heard the receding footsteps of Lord Pemberton’s visitor. She held her breath, suddenly terrified to be discovered. How did Lord Pemberton know about the Hamilton masquerade? Never had she spoken to him about what had happened to her. Never had she given him any details. Then how could he know? Had she misjudged him? Was he not to be trusted?
Again, silence lingered and Leonora realized that she had not heard Lord Pemberton return to his study when his voice suddenly spoke from only a few paces away. “Do you wish to remain behind that curtain, Lady Leonora? Or would you rather come inside?”
The shock of being discovered slammed into Leonora in a way that made her sway on her feet. Her hands grasped the fabric of the curtain and curled into it, holding on as she fought to steady her nerves. How had he known she was there? Yet, it did not matter. He knew, and she could not remain where she was.
Inhaling a deep breath, Leonora lifted her chin and then pushed away the curtain and stepped out of her hiding place. For a moment, she kept her gaze averted, not certain she wanted to see his face. Would he look different to her now? After what she had learned?
“You are free to leave if you so choose,” Lord Pemberton said into the stillness, his feet still firmly planted on the floor. Again, he remained where he was, not drawing closer but maintaining the distance between them.
Comforted by that familiar tone in his voice, Leonora finally lifted her gaze and looked up into silvery-gray eyes. What she saw there was what she had always seen there: genuine concern mixed with a hint of suppressed anger. Was he still the man she had thought him to be?
Lord Pemberton moved his hands behind his back, shoulders drawing further back. “Perhaps you should return home,” he suggested, concern instead of disapproval in his voice. “It would not be good for you to be found here unchaperoned.”
Leonora nodded. “I know.” Yet, she did not leave. Her gaze remained on his, and she could see him contemplating her words.
After a while, Lord Pemberton nodded, then stepped back and gestured toward his study. “Would you like to come in?”
Leonora hesitated for the touch of nervousness she felt was nothing in comparison to the blind panic she had so often experienced over the last few months. And so, she moved one foot in front of the other and slipped into his study, careful to maintain a certain distance between them, afraid that if she did not, she might lose this last ray of hope. Perhaps if she could find out why she had come to trust him, then perhaps she could find a way to recover.
Perhaps.
“Would it make you feel better if I left the door open?” Lord Pemberton asked as he stepped into the study after her.
Leonora knew that no one could know she was here, not even his servants. Especially not his servants. And so, she shook her head and watched him close the door behind them, leaving them alone in a room and a house with no one to protect her...
...but him.
Indeed, it would have made sense, perfect sense for her to lose her nerves now, to fall into panic, start trembling and sobbing hysterically. Yes, such a reaction would have made sense. Instead, however, Leonora found herself facing him with a calm she could not explain. It was deeply irrational. Especially after what had happened, she ought to feel afraid to be alone with a man, any man, particularly in his home. Why did she not? When being at a crowded gathering with her family around for safety had her on edge.
Huffing out an annoyed breath, Leonora shook her head, wishing that the world would make sense again. It had once, had it not?
“May I ask why you’re here?” Lord Pemberton inquired as he slowly moved over to the other side of the room, away from the door and her only way out, but still at a safe distance from her.
Leonora understood perfectly what he was doing, that he was trying to reassure her, and it almost made her smile. He was such a kind man, and perhaps, yes, there was something logical, reasonable, rational about why she had come to trust him. He had proved himself to her. He continued to do so with every word he said, with every consideration he showed her. “I need your help,” Leonora finally said, realizing that even if she did not know why, he was the only one who could help her.
Chapter Seven
A Daring Conversation
Still confused by Lady Leonora’s sudden appearance in his home, Drake watched her most carefully. Indeed, she seemed like a frightened little deer. Yet, there was a spark of something almost dauntless, something whispering of an iron will in her blue eyes for they did not look fearful as she continued to watch him curiously, carefully, always ensuring that the distance between them was upheld. “My help? How?”
Drake had been most willing to watch over her during the house party at Windmere Park. However, back here in London, it was a different matter. What kind of help was she hoping for? Did she wish for a bodyguard? Somehow, Drake rather doubted it. Certainly, there was something fearful in her posture; understandably so, for he knew from personal experience that ignoring one’s fears only made them linger and grow.
Lady Leonora inhaled a slow breath, her deep blue eyes still lingering upon his face. She seemed indecisive, her gaze narrowing slightly as she no doubt contemplated how to respond. “I’m not quite certain yet,” she finally replied, not afraid to show how vulnerable she felt in that moment. Her chest rose and fell with slightly quickened breaths. Her eyes remained wide though and upon his.
For a long moment, they simply looked at one another as they had not since the day they had first met. Drake had certainly observed her; however, Lady Leonora had been mostly unaware of it. On occasion, he had felt her eyes upon him as well. Still, here, in this moment, it felt as though they were getting to know one another in a way they had not before. “Ask me anything you wish to know,” Drake offered, curious to learn what she was thinking for she had clearly overheard at least part of his conversation with Mr. Parker.
Her wide blue eyes narrowed, and Drake could see that she knew quite well the direction of his thoughts. “Who were you speaking to?”
“An investigator by the name of Mr. Parker.”
Her hands wrapped around one another, the sinews tightening. “Why?”
Drake leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded her. “Is that what you truly wish to know?” he demanded, cocking one eyebrow. “Would you not rather ask another question?”
Mimicking him, Lady Leonora also folded her arms over her chest, her fingers digging through the fabric into her flesh. Another deep breath moved her shoulders back, and something sharp came to her eyes. “How do you know about the Hamilton masquerade?” She swallowed hard, something dark and suspicious drifting into her gaze. “I never mentioned it. How do you know?”
Drake watched her tense. He could see that she wanted to retreat but forced herself to stand her ground. Of course, he understood the doubts that this new discovery had brought forth within her. “It was not me who hurt you that night,” Drake gritted out through clenched teeth. “Can you believe that? Can you believe me?”
Lady Leonora hugged herself tighter, and as she moved, the cloak she still wore swung forward, all but hiding her clenched hands from sight. “I don’t know,” she finally whispered. “I don’t know.”
Drake nodded, feeling her doubt like a stab in the gut while his rational mind understood well why she could not put her trust in him. After all, they hardly knew each other. “And yet, you are here,” Drake pointed out. “You are still here.”
Lady Leonora merely stared at him, the expression upon her face rather stoic.
Drake nodded toward the door. “Do you wish to leave?”
Her gaze moved to the door, and for a moment, Drake could see that she was tempted. Only then her eyes returned to his, and she shook her head no. “I want answers.”
Drake nodded, pleased that she was still here. He wondered why he felt that way. It was clear that getting involved in this matter would no doubt prove burdensome. There was no clear-cut enemy to defeat. No one to call out and meet at dawn. Worse, Drake could feel himself begin to care. The pain in her gaze affected him more than any other woman’s ever had before. Still, she had asked and he would answer. “You yourself spoke of a masquerade, and then I spoke to Phineas.” Drake saw her eyes widening and hastened to say, “He did not tell me anything, I assure you. However, a few discreet questions easily singled out the masquerade in question. I was reasonably certain it was the Hamilton masquerade.” His brows rose. “Your reaction now confirmed it.”
A shuddering breath went past her lips as her head bobbed up and down. “Yes, that makes sense.” She continued to nod along to her words. “It makes perfect sense.” A hint of appreciation sounded in her voice as she spoke. Then her gaze focused on him once more. “You asked Mr. Parker for a guest list?”
