Good Earls Don't Lie (21 page)

“We have made an agreement,” Rose said. “Lord Ashton has promised to catch me before I fall on my face. And I, in return, am teaching him about the complexity of forks.”

Lord Ashton joined in, nodding in agreement. “They are quite impossible. Why anyone would need three forks at any meal is wasteful, indeed. It’s grateful I am that your sister is helping me to navigate cutlery.”

Lily glanced at Rose and then back at Lord Ashton. “Well. That’s not quite what I was expecting.”

“And you understand why she does not want anyone to know about her lack of progress in walking,” he said gently. “Allow her to keep her pride. There’s no harm in trying. When I catch her, that is.”

“Which you have done often,” Rose agreed. She lifted up her arms. “Now, if you would bring me into my father’s walled garden, I wish to attempt it again.”

Lord Ashton lifted her into his arms easily. “I am at your service, my lady.”

As he carried her toward the garden, Rose glimpsed Lily’s thoughtful expression before she folded up the letter she was carrying. Her fingers touched the necklace around her throat before she lifted her hand in a wave and walked back to the house.

After she had gone, Lord Ashton asked, “Was that an acceptable lie?”

“I thought you were going to tell her everything,” she admitted.

“I know what this means to you. And it was only a white lie. I’ve caught you every time.”

“So you have.” Her earlier bad mood was gone as she anticipated taking a few more steps today.

He studied her face and remarked, “It’s good to see you smile, Lady Rose.”

“I was imagining the look on my grandmother’s face when she sees me walk again.”

Iain set her down upon the stone bench by the willow tree, and his hands lingered a moment. Rose removed her shoes, standing in her bare feet upon the grass. Although she could take a step or two in shoes, it was still easier walking barefoot. “Will you hold my hands while I practice walking, Lord Ashton?”

“Iain,” he corrected as he walked toward her. He held out his hands, and she took them, balancing herself before she took one step.

“Thank you, Lord Ashton.” No matter how he’d insisted, she refused to call him by his name. There was already too much intimacy between them with their friendship. And although she had allowed herself to succumb to the temptation of his kiss, she could not allow it to happen again.

Carefully, she set one foot in front of the other, holding on to his hands for balance. He led her across the garden slowly, to ensure she didn’t fall. Once, she stumbled but caught herself again.

“Are you looking forward to your travels to London?” he asked her.

She nodded. “And now that you have new clothing, I am certain you are, as well.”

Over the past week, the tailor had measured and fitted him for evening wear, clothing for paying calls, and everything a gentleman needed to win the heart of a lady. To any unwed maiden, he would be a dashing figure, an Irish lord worth pursuing.

She wondered how many of the families knew of his past. Surely there were those who had met his father and were aware of how he’d died. Would the scandal follow him there?

“I can’t be saying that I’m looking forward to London,” he admitted. An enigmatic expression crossed his face. “I am hardly a gentleman whom the ton would want to present to their daughters.”

She shrugged off his worries. “Don’t be foolish. My grandmother and Lady Castledon will vouch for you.” In fact, it was more likely that the ladies would be intrigued by the earl they had never met. “I am certain many women will throw themselves at your feet.”

“I doubt that will happen.” He sent her a crooked smile. “I cannot say that a penniless earl is attractive at all.”

She was about to tease him but realized that he was in earnest. His expression held an uneasiness. And it seemed more than apprehension about a city he’d never visited. It was as if he truly did not believe women would want him for himself, as if he had no value.

Rose considered what to say. If she complimented his looks, he wouldn’t believe her at all. Instead, she told him, “A man of kindness holds a great deal of value to a woman. Sometimes that means more than all the money in the world.”

“Some would not call me kind.”

She met his gaze with sincerity. “What you have done for me goes beyond kindness. I won’t forget it, Lord Ashton.”

He offered his arm and kept the pace slow. Though each day had brought improvement, she had to lean heavily against him as she took a single step.

“You need to be careful at these gatherings,” he warned. “Do not try to do too much, too soon; else, you run the risk of falling.” He sent her a sidelong look. “I will attend the same gatherings, and if you have need of me, I can lend my support.”

“I should be most grateful for your assistance. Especially if you keep me from falling on my face.” The idea of walking again brought a sense of joy, mingled with fear of embarrassing herself.

Ashton released her hands and took a few steps back. “Can you walk toward me alone?”

“I will try.” She took a moment to steady herself and then took the first step. Although she walked with a heavy limp, nothing could suppress her smile. It took several slow steps, but eventually, she reached his side. “I fear I’m not very graceful. Rather like a wounded animal dragging herself across the ground.”

“That will improve over time.”

She wanted to believe it, but it might take months. “I had better not risk dancing. I would fall without question.”

“You could likely manage to dance, if you wanted to. If you dance with me, I will never let you fall.”

She believed him. When she met his gaze, she saw the quiet reassurance, and it softened a piece of her heart. Men would undoubtedly ask her to dance, for it was expected of her.

And yet, she doubted if the risk was worth it.

“Just try,” he urged. “Something slow. What if Burkham invites you to waltz?”

He was right. If Thomas was there, he would indeed offer a dance. She didn’t want to refuse her chance to show him what she’d accomplished. Inwardly, she knew how unlikely it was that she would succeed. But here, in this garden, there was no risk at all.

“All right,” she agreed. “We’ll try it.”

Ashton took her hand, resting his other palm against her waist. He moved in a slow tempo, giving her time to pick up each foot in the dance step. But every time he attempted to turn her, her feet seemed to tangle together.

“I’m so clumsy,” she apologized. “My feet won’t move the way I want them to.” She lacked the physical ability to keep the rhythm, and it heightened her frustration. “I don’t even know what I was thinking. No one waltzes this slowly.”

He didn’t deny it, but his hand pressed lightly at her waist, turning her once more. “You knew it wouldn’t be easy.”

“You’re right. And besides that, I only took my first steps a week ago. It could take months before I’m nimble enough to dance.”

In answer to that, the earl lifted her up and held her body aloft while he spun her in the waltz step. The sudden motion caught her unawares, and she began to laugh. “You cannot lift me up in a ballroom, Lord Ashton. Please put me down.” Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, though the Irishman didn’t seem to care. He stopped spinning her, but held her up a moment longer.

“Iain,” he corrected. But he did not set her down just yet. He kept his arms beneath her hips, and Rose was caught up in his green eyes. He stared at her with unveiled interest, and his dark hair framed a chiseled face. She could half-imagine him carrying her across the garden and laying her down against the grass before he kissed her again.

The thought brought her attention back to his firm mouth. She had enjoyed his kiss, and it had soothed her pride to know that she’d kindled his interest. It had been so long since she’d seen Thomas, she didn’t know what remained between them. But it felt good to have a man watching her as if he wanted her.

“Iain,” she murmured.

He brought her down, but the entire time, her body was pressed close to his. She kept her arms upon his shoulders a moment longer before she took slow, limping steps back to the garden bench. Why did she allow her imagination to trespass into thoughts of what could never be? He needed an heiress who would return with him to Ireland. Not a woman like her. They were friends, and that was all.

It was better for her to pick up the pieces of her life and renew her relationship with Lord Burkham. Once she saw him again, she would know if his letters had any meaning at all.

Iain remained on the opposite side of the garden, looking around at the flowers. For a moment, his eyes narrowed when he spied a circle of mushrooms in a shaded part of the garden lawn. She didn’t understand what had transformed his mood until he bent down for a closer look.

The mushrooms were crushed and slimy. Why on earth did he want to go any nearer?

Rose took a few steps toward him, and the stench of the fungus made her wrinkle her nose. “We should go,” she told Iain. “It’s been nearly an hour.”

And still he remained transfixed. He made no comment about what was going on in his mind, and she finally prompted, “What is it?”

“It smelled like this,” he told her. “In Ireland. The potatoes rotted in the ground until the air was tainted with it.” He stood, his expression suddenly stoic. “So many were starving.”

His mood had shifted so abruptly, and the past seemed to haunt him. “I have to help them.”

“You will.”

But a cynical look crossed his face, as if he had no right to be wasting time in a garden. “I suppose this was a reminder I needed. They’re running out of time, and so am I.” He straightened and crossed over to her. “I have to find my bride and soon.”

She took his arm in hers. “It will not be easy finding someone who will want to go back with you to Ireland.”

“She can remain in England, if she wishes,” he said, leading her back toward the garden door. “I can visit her from time to time. It might suit a woman who wishes to be married but have her freedom.”

It didn’t seem to be a pleasant arrangement; rather, it sounded like a lonely existence.
You’re not going to marry him,
she reminded herself.
This does not concern you.
And yet, she couldn’t help but think of his future bride. “What about any children you might have?”

Iain didn’t look at her. “I have no desire for children.” His cold remark startled her, for she’d imagined he would be a very good father.

“But what about an heir?” she pointed out. “Someone will have to inherit the earldom.”

He shrugged but said nothing. His disinterest rang false, and she had the sense that he was hiding something from her.

“What if your wife wishes to have a child?” she asked. “Would you deny her that?”

He lifted her through the doorway and then locked the garden door behind him. “I will not deny her marital rights. But no child deserves to be born into a life of suffering. And that is all that remains in Ireland.”

London

One week later

“We’ve arrived!” Lady Penford beamed with happiness as she peered outside the window of the coach. “Oh, I am so pleased to be back in London, Rose. Everything will be so much better now. I can sense it.”

Rose wanted to believe it, and she reached out to squeeze her mother’s hand. “I am glad you were well enough to come.” It had been a journey of mixed-up days, some better than others. But the excitement of the travel had given her mother a new enthusiasm that had been missing for some time. Lord Ashton had traveled in a separate coach and, as far as she knew, had continued on to his brother’s townhouse. She had rather hoped he would travel with them, but he had maintained a courteous distance. Which was all well and proper, but . . . a little disappointing.

When the coach stopped, Calvert carried her inside their townhouse. Rose had not yet revealed her ability to walk, wanting to maintain the surprise. But truthfully, she wasn’t certain if she could manage the stairs yet. She had continued to practice walking in secret, but she tired easily and knew better than to use all her energy because of pride. Then, too, the exercise had made her legs ache. At night, sometimes she awakened in pain, both in her legs and her lower back. But she would accept any amount of discomfort, so long as she could walk.

Her mother and sister led the way, and the butler, Fulton, ushered them into the sitting room, where he gave orders for hot tea and refreshments. He had arrived earlier with several staff members, and it was clear that he had the household well in hand.

Her grandmother followed them, sinking into a chair with an enormous sigh. “A more ghastly trip I’ve never taken. I must say, I’d forgotten how much I despise traveling.”

“Why
did
you come with us?” Rose asked.

Lady Wolcroft glanced over at Iris, who had her eyes closed and was leaning back against the settee. The silent message was understood.
To protect your mother.
But her grandmother answered, “To help both of you find husbands. And, of course, to assist Lord Ashton in his own quest for a bride. Have you thought about which ladies might suit him?”