Chapter Eighteen
Unlike Mr. Jupp, Elliott arrived on time. He began by sending a note, asking her to be ready by noon for a drive to visit her distant relation in Cambridge. It was a lie, obviously, but it was a good enough excuse. She was ready when he arrived, but her ill-temper made her shrewish.
“Can’t you ever wear anything but black?” she snapped by way of greeting.
He paused in the middle of his bow, then looked up with understandable surprise. “I beg your pardon?”
She flushed hot, then shook her head. “No, my lord, I beg your pardon. That was inexcusably rude of me. Your attire is perfectly acceptable, and I am horribly out of sorts.”
He frowned as he stepped further into the parlor. “Should we delay? If you are unwell—”
“No! Please, let us get this visit over. I am simply anxious about seeing my cousin again after so much time. What will she think of me now?”
He was understandably confused by her statement though his words came out with sincerity.
“She will think you are an accomplished woman of grace and beauty.” He flashed a quick smile. “And she will wonder what you are doing with someone of so little style.” He gestured to his boring attire.
“You are too kind,” she said, and the words burned in her throat. He was kind and generous. If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have danced at balls, gone to the theater, or met her future husband, Mr. Jupp. And she was being a shrew. “Please forgive me,” she said miserably.
He took her hand and pressed a slow kiss to it. And when he raised his gaze, she saw deep regret. “I am entirely at fault. In everything, Miss Gohar.”
She missed hearing her name on his lips. She wanted him to call her Amber as he had the other night. She wanted so many things. But this was life, not fantasy, and so she smiled and gestured out to the overcast day.
“We should leave soon before it rains.”
“Yes,” he murmured as he looked outside. “I had wanted to leave earlier, but I thought you might need more rest. I know your penchant for dancing until the very last note.”
She and Diana had gone to another ball last night. And how ridiculous that she barely remembered it. A week ago, a ton party was a dream come true. Now she shrugged and recalled that though she’d danced the night through, she’d spent most of her time watching for Lord Byrn. “I didn’t see you there,” she said.
“I had other matters to attend to. I was securing the last votes for my resolution. A few gentlemen were wavering, so I had to press them to remain faithful.”
“And were you successful?”
He nodded. “After today, I will bring it to a vote as soon as possible, and it should pass.”
“I’m so glad.” And she was. It meant a great deal to him, and she was pleased to be able to help. “I suppose we should get started then,” she said.
He nodded and extended his hand. Together they stepped to his closed carriage. They were barely two feet out of the door when Diana’s housekeeper came rushing out of the servant’s entrance. She had her hat and cloak on as she hurriedly curtseyed to them both. Amber stared at the woman in surprise, but Elliott was all smiles.
“Thank you for joining us, Mrs. Hopkins. I am sure you are very busy today, and it is kind of you to spare some time.”
“Oh, my lord,” the lady answered, “I am happy to get a day away no matter the reason.” She was bursting with smiles as she curtsied again. She was distracted for a moment when a kitchen maid rushed forward to ask her something. That gave Amber time to turn to Elliott in confusion.
Elliott must have read the question on her face, for he spoke in low tones. “It is not proper for me to escort you anywhere without a chaperone, much less outside of the city. Diana suggested Mrs. Hopkins needed a day off her feet.”
“But…” How did she ask such a question? “My reputation is…” Unimportant? Already in tatters?
“You are a lady, Miss Gohar. And any man who treats you as something less is a cad.” She could tell by his expression that he included himself in that category. He had not bothered with a chaperone that first night home from the ball. And certainly, no gentleman would slip into her bedroom at night. What they had done was decidedly improper, and yet now he was apologizing and acting as if she were a lady born.
“You never cared for propriety before,” she whispered. It wasn’t an accusation, merely a statement of fact.
“I did care,” he said as he escorted her to the carriage. “But I found ways to hide my reprehensible behavior.” He looked her in the eyes, his expression unwavering in its apology. “I was wrong, Miss Gohar. Exceedingly so.”
He regretted what they had done together. That was her only interpretation. And how like a man to take his delight at night and then apologize in the morning. She didn’t regret it. Indeed, she found herself revisiting the memories often. The way he touched her, the passion in his kiss, and how she’d felt when he’d stroked between her thighs. That pleasure had been beyond anything she’d ever experienced before, but even better was the tenderness in his eyes, the way he worshiped her with his lips, and the gentleness in his arms when he held her after. It never lasted long enough, but there had been long minutes when she’d stayed in his arms and felt such happiness.
Fortunately, she was not required to respond as he was handing her into the carriage. She settled beside Mrs. Hopkins and he across from them both. He was very gallant as he set rugs over their legs, and then signaled the coachman that they were ready to embark.
The horses started, and they began their journey. They were still in London when he looked at the housekeeper. “I hope I can count on your discretion, Mrs. Hopkins. I have news for Miss Gohar, but it is not to be bandied about.”
“Of course, my lord,” she answered. “You can’t be a housekeeper for long if you don’t know how to mind your tongue.”
He smiled and nodded, then he looked to Amber. “I received a missive from Mr. Christopher Jupp this morning. He wishes to discuss your marriage contract. I have set the appointment for tomorrow. I believe he will then speak to you that evening. That is…” He cleared his throat. “Is this to your liking?”
Now it all made sense. Now that she was to marry Mr. Jupp, she was to be a proper woman. That involved chaperones and apologies. “It is everything that I ever wanted,” she said, her voice cracking with the strain.
It was everything. And yet, her heart broke with the words. She knew now that there would never be another kiss from Elliott, another improper touch, or even a longing look. It was over because she was to marry a future baron.
Beside her, Mrs. Hopkins cheered in delight. She gave Amber her heartfelt best wishes and then she began sharing everything she’d ever heard about Mr. Jupp and his family. All of it was complimentary, and it continued for a good hour. And once she was finished with that, she began to give advice on the wedding breakfast. What to serve, how not to overwhelm the bride on the most exciting day of her life, and all sorts of other very practical, very useful suggestions. Amber listened closely and asked appropriate questions. There was a great deal to learn about being a proper woman. Things about running a household that had never entered her thoughts before. But if she were to become a baroness, then she would need to know these things. And Mrs. Hopkins was a font of information.