Miss Simmons’ gaze went to his.
“Yes, absolutely. You cannot know of my dreadandmy relief at hearing what I did. I was horrified that they would do such a thing but glad that I could then go to tell you about it. Might I ask what happened?”
Hugh watched her as she poured the tea, seeing the concern in how she glanced at him occasionally as she did so.
“If it had not been for you, Miss Simmons, I do not think that I would have been able to pull my reputation free from the mire into which it was intended to fall, should these men have had their way. It was just as you said. Lord Kelling required my urgent presence, I was told, and thus, I made my way tothe parlor where he was supposedly waiting. Lord Elmsford and Lord Richmond were present with me and the three of us went into the room together. We did not find Lord Kelling but Lady Duthell, as you had overheard.”
“And was she expecting you?”
With a dry chuckle, Hugh shook his head.
“No, she certainly was not! Her astonishment at our presence knew no bounds, Miss Simmons! She was expecting only one gentleman, not three!”
“Oh.” Miss Simmons’ face flushed again though her gaze, after she set the cup of tea down on the table near to him, was steady enough. “That is a relief, I suppose.”
He frowned.
“In what way?”
“That she was not expecting you in particular,” Miss Simmons explained, as Hugh’s confusion began to fade. “Had she spoken aloud your name, then even with Lord Elmsford and Lord Richmond’s presence, you might still have been presented with some difficulties as regarded your reputation.”
Having not thought of this before this moment, Hugh swallowed hard and nodded, looking away.
“That is true indeed. I had not even considered that.”
“But it is just as well she did not know if was to be you specifically,” Miss Simmons said, picking up her tea and taking a sip. “So… what happened thereafter?”
“Lord Locksley appeared.” Seeing her surprise, Hugh gave her a wry smile. “He made some bluster about it all, but was clearly expecting to see Lady Duthell in the arms of some gentleman… no doubt, myself! That was not what he came upon, however, and–”
To his surprise, Miss Simmons laughed, interrupting him.
“Forgive me,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I can only imagine the way he must have deflated, having expected to seeone thing and being met with three gentlemen instead of the one!”
Hugh grinned.
“He was rather disconcerted, I must admit. I even suggested that he had come to the room to see Lady Duthell, that he was concerned forherwelfare, and he was even more upset by that suggestion.”
Miss Simmons laughed and shook her head, easing the worries that had flung themselves into Hugh’s mind as he had related all that had taken place.
“Goodness, that must have upset him a great deal! Though I do not mind, given that he was expecting to find you present, alone with the lady, and then did not!” Her smile began to disappear, the steady gaze returning. “Do you know who sent him to the parlor?”
“I do not. Lord Richmond is going to attempt to ask him, but I am not sure that Lord Locksley will be willing to speak. He was already rather embarrassed.”
“Let us hope that he will.”
Hugh nodded, then leaned forward in his chair, wanting to make certain that he spoke honestly and openly before her mother returned.
“Miss Simmons, I came not only to tell you what happened, and to ask you if you recalled anything more, but also to ask if you might be willing to offer your help.”
Her eyes rounded.
“Help you? What is it that you wish me to do?”
Spreading his hands, Hugh gave a small, rueful smile.
“I am quite at a loss as to who is doing this, Miss Simmons. I do not know which person is attempting to seek me out, why they are trying to ruin my reputation utterly, and unfortunately, bring you into the situation also. I must discover them. I must find out who it is who is doing this and the reasons behind it.Otherwise, I shall never be contented, I shall always be looking over my shoulder and wondering who it is pursuing me. I may very well fall into whatever trap it is they have set for me, for I do not believe that what happened last evening was their first and only attempt.”
Miss Simmons frowned, biting her lip for a moment before she answered, clearly carefully considering what it was that he was asking of her.
