“You seek, then, only to make the best of the situation for yourself?”
Lord Blackmore looked back at her steadily.
“But of course. Why should I not?”
“You have no concern for me, then.” The gentleman’s eyes widened as though he had only just realized that she too was suffering at present, and he began to cough, his words sticking in his throat and refusing to dislodge themselves. Rachael waited patiently, her hands going to her hips as Lord Blackmore continued to try to find words to explain himself. No words came. “In case you have forgotten, Lord Blackmore, I am the young lady who, it is said, left your townhouse in the very early morning one day last Season. While it has become quite clear that the second part of that particular rumor is untrue, there are still whispers over my conduct. This does not seem to concern you in the least, I presume? You have returned to London to make certain thatyouare as removed from these rumors as you can be whereas I, who have done nothing wrong either, must continue to be tormented by society’s disdain!”
Lord Blackmore spread out his hands wide, his eyes still a little rounded.
“My dear Miss Simmons, I do not know what it is that you expect me to do!”
That had Rachael faltering. The truth of it was, she didnotknow what it was that she was meant to do now, or what it was that she had expected from Lord Blackmore. Coming over to him had been an action taken completely on impulse. She had beenupset to see him walking through the ballroom without a care while she was forced back to stand with the other wallflowers and, without consideration, had gone to speak with him.
“I want to be considered.”
That was all she could think to say, but she said it with a confidence that had Lord Blackmore’s expression changing into one of understanding. Nodding, he looked away and let his hands fall to his sides.
“I understand the difficulties that come with rumors,” he said, though Rachael did not immediately agree with this. “You want thetonto look at you in the very same way as they did before, especially since there is no truth in what you are being accused of.”
Rachael, a little surprised at how well he had described it, nodded.
“Yes, that is just so. Though there is a difference between us, Lord Blackmore.”
His green eyes shifted back to hers and something like a spark tumbled down her spine.
“You are able to walk through society without any great concern,” she continued, hearing how her voice was a little higher than before, but putting that down solely to her frustrations and upset. “I, however, am forced back into the shadows. I have to stand with the other wallflowers – none of whom deserve to be there, I should add – even though I have no reason to be hidden away. This rumor, and what has come from it, is more significant than you might think. Not only am I now a wallflower, I have lost almost all hope of making a suitable match. After all, which gentleman would wish to marry a wallflower? Which would look upon us? To any gentleman’s mind, there must be a reason for my clinging to the shadows and, should they ask, I do not doubt that they would be told of what was said of me. Even though they will be told that thewhispers about a child were proven false, I do not doubt that even thethoughtof having such whispers spoken about me will be enough to drive any gentleman away. You may have lost a little of your reputation, Lord Blackmore, but you will be able to gain it back, quickly enough. I, however, have lost something a great deal more valuable, and I simplycannotdo anything to regain it. You may be a little affected, but I am sorely affected – and can do nothing about my changed circumstances.”
Lord Blackmore frowned though his gaze still held to hers.
“Be that as it may – and I am sorry for it, Miss Simmons – there is nothing that I think I can do.”
Desperation began to grow in her heart and Rachael moved closer, seeing Lord Blackmore’s eyes grow all the larger.
“I think that there is something which can be done,” she said, softly. “You might seek to quash these rumors about your own self, Lord Blackmore but, in your attempts, might you not seek to do the same for me? Might you not mention my name? Tell those you are acquainted with how sorry you are that my name has been brought into these rumors when you are barely acquainted with me? Even a few words from you might make all of the difference.”
“I am certain I could try.” With a shrug, Lord Blackmore pulled his gaze away, giving Rachael the impression that he was now at the end of his conversation and was a little dulled by what she had to say. After all, there was no fervency in his reply, no great eagerness that spoke of a desire to be of aid to her. Rachael’s shoulders rounded, her heart heavy and, without so much as another word to him, she turned and made her way back to her companions. Lord Blackmore spoke her name, but she did not turn her head, did not so much as glance at him. Instead, she kept her gaze upon the wall where the wallflowers stood, her heart heavy with a pain that would not seem to soften. Lord Blackmore had not given her even a thought. Even thoughtheir names had been connected to the rumor, he had decided to return to London and to do what he could for hisownbenefit, never once thinking of her, and what she must be suffering. Yes, they were not well acquainted but, as they had spoken, there had come a faint hope that he might be able to help her, might be able to encourage thetonto return her to her proper standing.
It seemed that hope had been nothing more than a whisper, gone in a moment. Lord Blackmore did not have any great desire to aid her and now, save for her friends, Rachael felt herself to be entirely alone.
Chapter Three
“Was that Miss Simmons I saw you speaking with, Lord Blackmore?”
Hugh cleared his throat.
“Yes, Miss Wilson. It was.”
He looked steadfastly at the young lady as though daring her to say anything about their meeting, but Miss Wilson only shrugged, then smiled at him.
“I could barely believe my ears when I was told that she would return to London for the Season!” Miss Wilson continued, looking at the small group of gentlemen and ladies who had gathered. “It isverybold of her, is it not?”
An uncomfortable prickling ran down Hugh’s spine. Was this not what Miss Simmons had just come to speak with him about? And what was he going to do now? How would he respond? Would he simply stand here, and allow Miss Wilson to speak in such a way without saying a single word?
“It isverybold of her… as it is of someone else, I might add.”
Another lady, a tall, rather formidable-looking woman whom Hugh knew to be the Marchioness of Hastings, sent a narrowed gaze towards Hugh, who immediately began to burn with a red-hot heat of annoyance.
“I have no qualms in returning to London, Lady Hastings,” he said quickly, all thought of Miss Simmons removing itself from his mind. “There is nothing I have done which requires me to keep myself back from society.”
