“We could ask him.”
Lord Elmsford immediately shook his head at Lord Richmond’s suggestion.
“I do not think that the fellow would tell us. We have embarrassed him enough by making a connection between himself and Lady Duthell, and I do not think that he would tolerate any further questions, though we could try.”
Hugh nodded.
“Try, Lord Richmond, if you wish. See what you can discover. Otherwise, I fear that we will continue to be as much in the dark as we are at present!”
His stomach began to twist this way and that and Hugh let out a slow breath, closing his eyes and trying to quieten the hurried beat of his heart. That had been a most disconcerting circumstance and one he might have walked into without any awareness, had it not been for Miss Simmons. Gratitude began to fill his heart, and he let out another slow breath, a coldness gripping him as he thought about what could have happened, had he believed that Lord Kelling truly was looking for him.
“You have a lot to thank Miss Simmons for.”
Hugh glanced to Lord Elmsford, then nodded.
“I certainly do. I intend to call on her to see if there is anything more that she can tell me, anything more of interest. I shall, also, make my gratitude to her very clear indeed.”
Lord Elmsford’s lips twitched.
“There is a growing connection between the two of you, I think.”
“Between myself and Miss Simmons?” Hugh shrugged, ignoring the note of curiosity in Lord Elmsford’s voice. “I suppose it is to be expected, given that we have been caught up in the same rumor. It is clear now, however, that I am the one who is being set upon by this invisible assailant.” A heaviness settled over his heart, and he let out a long sigh. “I do not know why someone is pursuing me with such dark intent. All I say is that, from this moment on, I intend to be a good deal more on my guard, in any and all situations.”
“A wise thought.”
“I do not truly understand what is happening,” Lord Richmond put in, following Lord Elmsford’s comment. “If you wished to explain it to me, then I should be grateful. At the present moment, it seems to me as though someone wishes to blacken your name, Blackmore, though I do not know why.”
Hugh managed a small, wry smile.
“Neither do I,” he stated, plainly. “But I fully intend to find out.”
“Good afternoon, Miss Simmons.”Hugh smiled warmly as he bowed towards the young lady. “I do hope that you are well?”
“I am, thank you.” She gestured for him to sit down and took her seat again herself, leaving Hugh to follow suit. “My mother will return to join us very soon. An unexpected issue has arisen with a dinner party she is to hold tomorrow afternoon.” She smiled, and Hugh watched the light flickers dance about in her eyes, immediately forgetting precisely why it was that he had come to call on her. Having stepped into the room, he had been immediately taken with the gentle smile on her lips and the clear happiness in her expression, wondering if her delight came from his own presence in the room. That sent a quiet joy into his heart, and he had instantly found his own spirits lifted – and that sensation had not left him as yet. “I do hope that the maid will suffice, for propriety’s sake, in the meantime?”
Seeing the slight fading of her smile, Hugh quickly nodded.
“Of course! I am glad to hear that your mother is to hold a dinner party.”
“As am I.” Miss Simmons lifted both shoulders and then let them fall gently. “I am even more grateful to those who responded and accepted the invitation. I believe that my mother was rather concerned that many would not attend.” Her smile faded a little more and she looked away. “There were those who refused.”
“That is their own foolishness,” Hugh responded, quickly. “Do not let your thoughts linger on that.”
Miss Simmons’ smile returned quickly, and warmth pooled in Hugh’s stomach.
“Your wise words are appreciated, Lord Blackmore. You are quite right. I ought to be considering those who have accepted the invitation, rather than those who have not.”
“Precisely. I have seen that you and the other wallflowers no longer linger in the shadows of the ballroom,” Hugh continued, seeing a faint flush begin to dot her cheeks. “You are nowwalking through the ballroom arm in arm, forcing the other guests to take note of you. That is a considered action, I think?”
“It is.” Her smile continued to send patches of light into her eyes. “Miss Bosworth has encouraged us not to act as wallflowers, not to permit those who look upon us as such to have their strength of opinion forced upon us. Therefore, we have been attempting to move through society as we did before, though many do not speak with us. Though,” she continued, her lips twitching, “there are many whom I would not wish to speak with regardless, so that does not matter I suppose!”
Hugh laughed and saw her blushing, though her eyes danced.
“That is very good to hear, Miss Simmons. I congratulate you on your strength and determination! Miss Bosworth is quite correct, I think. You ought to be encouraged to step out into society as you have done before. If they do not acknowledge you, then the fault is theirs, not yours.”
“I thank you.” With a small smile, she looked away just as the tea tray was brought in. “There are some advantages to being a wallflower, however.”
“Such as being able to hide away and overhear something which might have otherwise ruined my reputation?”
