evaporate. But she could hardly deny the request, particularly as it really mattered not at all. âVery well. But why?â
âThe sensationalism will be bad enough when it becomes known he was killed by a highwayman. Iâd rather spare my aunt, and you, as much of the consequent questioning as possible. If itâs known he lived afterward and we found him before he died, youâll be subjected to an inquisition every time you appear in public.â
She could hardly deny itâthe ton thrived on speculation. âWhy canât we say he was already dead when we found him yesterday?â
âBecause if we do, itâs rather difficult to explain why I didnât simply leave you with the body and ride home, relieving you of my dangerous presence.â
âGiven you appear impervious to the elements, why didnât you leave after he died?â
âIt was too late by then.â
Because the damage to her reputation had already been done? Honoria swallowed an impatient humph. Between the trees, she could see a stone wall, presumably enclosing the park. Beyond, she glimpsed a large house, the roof and the highest windows visible above tall hedges. âAnyway,â she stated, âon one point Lady Claypole was entirely correctâthereâs no need for any great fuss.â
âOh?â
âItâs a simple matterâas Lady Claypole will not give me a recommendation, perhaps your mother could do so?â
âI think thatâs unlikely.â
âWhy?â Honoria twisted around. âSheâll know who I am just as you did.â
Pale green eyes met hers. âThatâs why.â
She wished narrowing her eyes at him had some effectâ she tried it anyway. âIn the circumstances, I would have thought your mother would do all she can to help me.â
âIâm sure she willâwhich is precisely why she wonât lift a finger to help you to another position as governess.â
Stifling a snort, Honoria turned forward. âShe canât be that stuffy.â
âI canât recall her ever being described as such.â
âI rather think somewhere to the north might be wiseâthe Lake District perhaps?â
He sighedâHonoria felt it all the way to her toes. âMy dear Miss Anstruther-Wetherby, let me clarify a few details. Firstly, the tale of us spending the night alone in my woodsmanâs cottage will outânothing is more certain. Regardless of all injunctions delivered by her put-upon spouse, Lady Claypole will not be able to resist telling her dearest friends the latest scandal involving the duke of St. Ives. All in absolute confidence, of course, which will ensure the story circulates to every corner of the ton . After that, your reputation will be worth rather less than a farthing. Regardless of what they say to your face, not a single soul will believe in your innocence. Your chances of gaining a position in a household of sufficient standing to set your brotherâs mind at rest are currently nil.â
Honoria scowled at the trees, drawing ever nearer. âI take leave to inform you, Your Grace, that Iâm hardly a green girl. Iâm a mature woman of reasonable experienceâno easy mark.â
âUnfortunately, my dear, you have your cause and effect confused. If you had, indeed, been a fresh-faced chit just out of the schoolroom, few would imagine Iâd done anything other than sleep last night. As it is . . .â He paused, slowing Sulieman as they neared the trees. âItâs well-known I prefer more challenging game.â
Disgusted, Honoria humphed. âItâs ridiculousâthere wasnât even a bed.â
The chest behind her quaked, then was still. âTrust meâthereâs no requirement for a bed.â
Honoria pressed her lips shut and glared at the trees. The path wended through the stand; beyond stood the stone wall, two feet thick and
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