Chapter Nine
Lord Kelling stuck one elbow into Hugh’s ribs and he immediately grimaced. “Good heavens, whatever was that for?”
“To stop you from keeping that expression pinned to your face given that we are about to walk past some ladies,” came the reply. “Youareaware that you have been scowling, are you not?”
Hugh cleared his throat and looked away, the sunshine warming his face. Managing to smile at the ladies they passed, ladies who were also enjoying the fine summer’s day in St James’ Park, he threw a look to Lord Kelling.
“I was unaware of my expression.”
“You have something on your mind.”
“Of course I do!” Hugh exclaimed, turning back to look at his friend. “My ball is tomorrow evening, and I have been so caught up with all that must be done with it, I have been unable to attend one or two social occasions and, all the while, I have been thinking about what might be said about me or what it is that society thinks of me at present!”
Lord Kelling looked suddenly serious.
“I quite understand. Forgive me, I did not mean to be flippant.”
With a sigh, Hugh closed his eyes briefly, a little irritated at his own sharp response.
“Forgive me for being so sharp,” he responded with a wry smile. “There has been a good deal on my mind of late.”
What he did not mention to his friend was that, in the midst of all of this, he had been unable to stop thinking of Miss Simmons for, given their last conversation had been about what they might be able to accomplish together, it had been a little frustrating that he had been unable to speak with her since! They had agreed that their minds would be aligned in an attempt to find out who it was that was trying to spread rumors and gossip throughout London – and pulling her name into it in the meantime – but there had been nothing decided, nothing said other than the promise that should she hear or see anything more, she would tell him at once. Hugh wanted to do more, wanted to find a way for them to truly pursue his tormentor but, as yet, he could not think of what to do. It would be a lie to say that she had not been in his thoughts, for she had been almost ever-present, even when he had been in the midst of his preparations.
“There has been a good deal of talk about your upcoming ball,” Lord Kelling told him, making Hugh scowl. “It seems to have done as you had hoped and put the rumors about gambling away your fortune to bed. There will be many coming who hope that all they have heard whispered about your ball will be exactly as they have heard!”
Hugh chuckled, though he shook his head with it.
“Given the sheer amount of coin I have had to spend on this ball, I should say that it shall be! I–”
Frowning, he came to a stop, something catching his attention. From where he stood, it seemed to be that three orfour ladies were surrounding one young lady who, given the way that she recoiled, did not much appreciate their nearness.
His gut twisted.
“Mayhap we ought to gothisway,” he said, seeing Lord Kelling frown. “We will be able to speak to the young ladies present, at the very least.”
“Indeed. Though I do wonder where the young lady’s chaperone is.” Musing aloud, Lord Kelling fell into step beside him. “Mayhap she is nearby and cannot see – or does not realize – that this is not a good situation.”
Hugh’s eyebrows drew together as they grew closer, quickly realizing that the young lady who was continually pulling back from the others – though she was now near to a small copse of trees and unable to move away any further – was none other than Miss Simmons.
His heart kicked hard, and he quickened his pace.
“It is quite clear that Lord Blackmore does not want anything to do with you!” he heard some young lady exclaim. “Your name continually attaches to his and it is unwanted! It is undesirable! Why you shouldthinkto attach yourself to such a gentleman after the shame you have brought upon yourself, I cannot know!”
“It will not lift you from the shadows, if that is what you think,” said another – one Hugh recognized to be none other than Miss Wilson. “It seems to me that someone is whispering about Lord Blackmore in the hope that his reputation will worsen so terribly that he will be forced to marry someone of lesser standing, someone less worthy of a connection to him, and, the more I think of this, the more I wonder if it isyouwho are doing so,” Miss Wilson finished, her head tossing back in a flourish of triumph. “Is that what all of this is about, Miss Simmons? You seek to marry Lord Blackmore but, given that he has been cleared of whatever shame you sought to place onhimlastSeason, you cannot reach him again. Therefore, you are doing all you can to blacken his reputation again so that you might place yourself beside him!”
Much to Hugh’s horror, the nods of agreement and the murmurs concurring with Miss Wilson came much too quickly for his liking and, as he drew near, he saw how pale the face of Miss Simmons was.
“Good afternoon.” Speaking with great strength, Hugh looked around the group, taking in not only Miss Wilson, with whom he was acquainted, but also Lady Joceline and Lady Tabitha. They all returned his gaze with a slight rounding of their eyes, clearly having not expected him to appear. “I was certain that I heard my name being spoken.” Looking over his shoulder to Lord Kelling, he lifted an eyebrow. “Did you hear my name, Lord Kelling?”
“I did.” The gentleman came to stand beside Hugh, his arms clasping in front of him though he did not smile. “It is a great pity to see that so many beautiful and refined young ladies of thetonare so willing to engage in gossip.”
“Oh, but we are not engaging in gossip, Lord Kelling,” Miss Wilson exclaimed, quickly. “We are only speaking to Miss Simmons, explaining to her that she ought to be keeping to her place.” The sharpness of her eyes made Hugh wince, hardly able to imagine what it must feel like for Miss Simmons at present to be spoken so. “It is not right for her–”
“Miss Simmons is doing nothing wrong,” he interrupted, looking at her for the first time and a little surprised to see the ice in her gaze – though, he presumed, it was not directed at him. “I cannot imagine what it is that you are placing upon her shoulders at present, Miss Wilson, for there is nothing she has done against me.”
Miss Wilson opened her mouth to respond, but before she could do so, Lady Tabitha spoke up.
“She is attempting to ruin you, Lord Blackmore, surely you can see that?”
