“No, indeed. I truly am very happy that you have come, though I suspect, knowing you, that there is a purpose behind your visit? You have not come simply to call upon me for a brief while.”
Lord Elmsford nodded though his smile remained.
“You are correct, thereissomething which I wish to say, though it does not have to be said immediately.”
“Of course. You are fatigued from your journey, I am sure. Shall I send for a tea tray? You will stay for a few days, I hope?
With a smile, Lord Elmsford settled himself into a comfortable chair.
“I will not refuse that offer – on both counts! I will accept a tea tray, perhaps a measure of brandy to go with it and a few days of residing with you would be very much appreciated – though I hope that you will return with me when it comes time for me to take my leave.”
Hugh frowned, going across the room to ring the bell, though the butler returned almost immediately. Telling the man that Lord Elmsford was to stay for a few days and that they required refreshments, Hugh dismissed him and then returned his attention to Lord Elmsford.
“Returning with you?” he asked, as Lord Elmsford nodded. “Why should I do that? Your estate is far from here and–”
“I intend to go to London for the Season,” Lord Elmsford interrupted, making Hugh’s frown deepen all the more. “And I was hoping that I might be able to convince you to return with me.” He let out a small sigh and shook his head. “That, in short, is what I have come to say. Your friends and I all wish for you to return to London. It is not the same without your company!”
A hint of a smile lifted one corner of Hugh’s mouth, but he pulled it back quickly.
“I have no desire to come to London this Season, although I appreciate that all of you seek my company. It is considerate of you to come to my estate to encourage me to return but, in truth, I should prefer to remain here.” That was not entirely true, and Hugh felt a twinge of shame run through him, though he cleared his throat and shrugged to hide it. “I have a good deal of business to attend to.”
“Much of which could be done in London,” his friend replied, easily. “I know that as well as you. You need not hide the truth from me, old friend. I am all too aware of what it is that troubles you.”
Hugh grimaced but said nothing. The refreshments arrived and, as they were set out, Hugh let himself consider what LordElmsford had suggested, though immediately there came with it a sense of foreboding. Sighing and seeing his friend’s look of curiosity, he shook his head.
“I do not think that I can return to London this Season,” he said, eventually. “I do not want to go back to a place where all of society thinks me the very worst sort of gentleman!”
“But that rumor has been proven false, has it not?” Lord Elmsford pointed out. “The young lady in question remained in London for the entirety of the Season and thereafter, was seen at many other social occasions – though she became something of a wallflower in the end unfortunately – and it was clear to everyone that there was no child. Your betrothal to her was whispered about also, yes, but that only required you to speak of your lack of connection to her.”
Heat built in Hugh’s chest.
“All the same, to hear such things whispered about me, to know that thetonbelieved that I was responsible for such things, was difficult indeed.”
“And you think that another year at home, another Season without your presence will aid that?”
“How could it not?” Hugh asked, pouring the coffee for himself and his friend. “Within another year, the rumors and whispers will have faded away and gone to something else entirely.”
“Only to rise again with a great strength when you finally do return,” Lord Elmsford finished, making Hugh grimace. “That is why I have come to speak with you. The rumors from last Season might have been blown out but there is still smoke present. This year, there are still rumors snaking their way through society.” Taking a sip of his coffee, he set his cup down carefully and then looked back at Hugh. “What is being said now is that, although Miss Simmons was not with child, therewasa young lady who stepped away from your townhouse in the early hours of themorning last Season. Thetonsimply does not know who it is as yet. Some say itwas,in fact, Miss Simmons.”
Hugh, who had been taking a sip of his coffee as his friend spoke, spluttered violently, setting his cup down and pulling out his handkerchief instead.
“What?” he demanded, once he had wiped his mouth, his eyes staring hard at his friend. “That cannot be true, surely? Why would they say such things as that?”
“Because you are not in London.” With a wry look, Lord Elmsford spread out his hands. “You are not at the London Season and thus, people believe that you are deliberately hiding awaybecauseof your guilt. You must return to London. You must hold your head high and make your way through society as you have always done. That is the only way to remove such rumors from yourself entirely.”
Hugh passed one hand over his eyes, sighing heavily.
“It pains me to have to do such a thing as that. I would much prefer a quieter life rather than have to do this and that to prove my innocence to theton.”
“How quiet a life would you wish it to be?” Lord Elmsford scowled. “You are aware that, should you continue to do as you wish and remain here, then your name and your reputation could easily be sullied and that could linger for many a year. Perhaps even to your heir.”
Lord Elmsford scowled.
“I have no heir.”
“Not as yet,” his friend agreed, “but that is something you require and, no doubt, something you will gain at some point in this life. Would you truly be contented if your child were to be born and, thereafter, have his name already darkened by a past stain?” He spread out his hands. “Even though you have done nothing wrong? Would it not be best to face it now, to come backto society and to make it quite clear that you have nothing to be ashamed of?”
Hugh sighed and ran one hand over his eyes.
