“I’m sure he did.” Aurora clasped her hands and glanced out the window as the carriage rolled forward.
“I think he feels terrible about causing me any distress, which is probably why he didn’t send word Kenebruke was ill. Very thoughtful. He’s such a gentleman. You could do far worse.”
Aurora stayed silent. The apothecary wasn’t large. It would be impossible not to see Aunt Lottie unless you were intent on avoiding her. Which Healey must have been.
“I am undecided on Mr. Healey.” Much more so now than she’d ever been. Had he seen the note Aunt Lottie sent to Kenebruke asking why he no longer rode through the park and merely tossed it in the fire? Such suspicions, when she liked Healey, were unwelcome.
But not nearly as unwelcome at the sight of Worth and Lady Bryant.
Aurora avoided thinking about seeing them together in the maze, instead choosing to only consider what had come after, the kiss with Worth in the grass. But she hadn’t wanted to think about Worth and Lady Bryant as lovers. She still didn’t.
“Well, Mr. Healey is not undecided where you are concerned, Aurora. He will be at the Travers’ ball. As will you.”
“So he told me.” At Aunt Lottie’s look she said. “I saw Mr. Healey at Tate’s. He was purchasing a book for Lord Kenebruke to keep him entertained while he recovers. We only spoke in passing, but he did ask me to save him a dance.” Her fingertips touched her mouth, the feel of Worth still on her lips. She didn’t want to believe he might also be involved with Lady Bryant.
“The Adventures of Captain Duncan.” Aunt Lottie clapped her hands. “I told Kenebruke he’d enjoy the story. More so were I to read it to him. I didn’t mention that to Mr. Healy.”
Aurora leaned back against the leather seats. “Probably for the best, Aunt Lottie.”
Chapter Nineteen
Lady Bryant hoveredat the door of Tate’s, watching Charles like some sort of well-dressed vulture while he calmly paid for his purchases. When she’d caught up with him, at the far corner of the bookseller, she’d had a questioning gleam in her eyes. He’d had to turn his body, holding the books at his waist, to hide the significant tenting of his trousers. Not even the coat he wore could disguise the state Charles was in.
The clerk at the front, announcing Aurora’s presence, didn’t help matters.
Hildie exited Tate’s first, and he had hopes she’d go on her way to find another victim, only to find her waiting for him outside. What was she even doing at a bookseller? Hildie deplored reading, claiming it to be a tedious pastime. She never bought gifts for her husband, whom she detested. The only explanation was that she’d seen Charles going inside, which meant it likely Hildie had also seen him and Aurora together.
He tried to avoid her upon exiting, but this time, Hildie clutched at his arm. Resigned to her presence for the time being because he was unable to shake her off, Charles looked up to see Aurora and Miss Maplehurst climbing into the waiting Emerson carriage.
His heart jumped in her direction. Against his will and in spite of everything he’d vowed years ago.
Neveragain. Not after Cecily broke him into dozens of pieces. Aurora wasn’t Cecily, rationally he knew that. The twowere nothing alike. Even so, there was still an entire list of reasons why Charles should avoid Aurora even if he couldn’t remember them all now.
Maybe he didn’t want to.
“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, Worthington.”
Hildie. God, he’d almost forgotten she and her nauseating perfume were still standing beside him, clinging like some sort of overzealous Pomeranian. He wanted to kick at her. What had he once liked about her? Charles had once thought her beautiful and she wanted very little from him, only a good tupping. That had been the attraction. The absolute certainty no real attachment would ever form between them.
“Apologies, my lady. I fear my mind is elsewhere. A business matter I’ve yet to finalize.”
“I asked if you are going to apologize for leaving me at that dreadful garden party. I had to ride home with Lord Rollings. He’s adreadfulbore. I nearly jumped out of the carriage to find some relief.”
“He was once your lover,” Charles countered not bothering to apologize. Hildie had probably had her skirts around her ears the entire trip back to London.
“So were you,” she snapped back. “But you’ve not called upon me.”
“Was I supposed to?”
Hildie glared up at him. “I was turned away from your door when I called.”
“We never had any formal arrangement. No understanding other than when bored we might amuse each other.” Charles inclined his head anxious to be away from her. “A way to pass the time. Never more than a convenience.”
“You enjoyed yourself,” she sniffed.
“As did you, Hildie. I’m not sure why you are so put out. You are married, or have you forgotten?” Why didn’t she just go away?
“Oh yes, sometimes I forget. Bryant is far more interested in that cow, Lady Pearse.”
