“We knew you are exactly who she needs.” Lady Brandewyne’s voice had grown subdued, perhaps understanding that her well-laid plans had just been annihilated.
“You have put me in an untenable position,” Henrietta said quietly, looking up from the cave of her hands. “Now I must break a young girl’s heart.”
“Not necessarily.”
Everyone in the room turned. Dominic waited in the doorway, having evidently pushed past the staff to arrive without announcement.
Her heart hitched. She pressed her hand against her chest as if that would stop the organ’s erratic jumping. He looked so normal today. So unaffected by what had transpired last night. How very annoying. Even his hair was unruffled, combed neatly and amplifying his handsome features.
“Might I speak with Henrietta?” His voice was a low, husky blend of amusement and sobriety.
“Of course, of course.” The dowager countess bustled up from her seat, patting Uncle William on the shoulder as if hurrying him along.
They left Dominic and Henrietta alone in the garden. There were windows all around and so they were not really alone. But the reason was clear. Her uncle and the dowager countess expected Dominic to propose.
Her throat closed.
“I have come to apologize for last night’s uncouth behavior.” He sat across from her, his eyes twinkling in the sunlight. “And also to beg you to reconsider.”
“Governessing does not suit me.”
“Perhaps wifery does?”
“If this is your attempt to propose, it is terrible.” She stood, sweeping her skirts out of the way, and strode into the house. He was right behind her, worse than Smiles.
“Not an attempt. More of a feeling-out.” He matched her progress on the stairwell. “Come now, are you truly angry over last night?”
She stopped on the landing, putting her hands on her hips, aware that downstairs in the hall, two traitorous sets of eyes watched them. “I am angry because those two—” she swept her hand downward “—have been matchmaking.”
* * *
Dominic followed Henrietta’s expressive hand to where it pointed to Mr. Gordon and Lady Brandewyne. They saw him and jumped out of sight. Presumably into the parlor, where they could continue their eavesdropping.
He didn’t match Henrietta’s outrage. Grinning, he shrugged. “What is wrong with that?”
Her eyebrows narrowed. “Because your niece believed their machinations and is now heartbroken. She actually thought that you and I, that you and I...” she sputtered.
“That is why I’m here, Miss Gordon. You were quite resistant to the mention of anything more between us last night, and I wondered if I might understand your reasoning.”
“Reason. Yes, that’s exactly what it is. I am leaving. Within the fortnight, actually. I received a letter in the post today that housing has been found for me.”
“You’re leaving?” Mr. Gordon popped back into view, his voice echoing up to them. “What are you talking about?”
“Uncle, I have accepted a position as an assistant to a Mr. Ledford of Italy. He is an old acquaintance of yours.”
“Unacceptable,” yelled Mr. Gordon.
“Unchangeable,” she replied in a steady fashion.
Dominic looked at her gloved hands. They were shaking. “This is really it, then.”
“You and Louise are welcome to visit, of course. I shall be taking a lady’s maid with me. I’ve already hired the girl. It is all on the up-and-up.”
“Henrietta...” His voice caught. He must be the brave one here, for he began to see that she lived in fear. “What if I told you that I think I might love you? Would that change anything?”
Her eyes widened. “You might?” Then she laughed, a broken sound that hurt to hear. “That is worse than no love at all. That is a ‘you’re almost good enough, but not quite.’”
“Not at all.”
“It is my interpretation, but it doesn’t matter, does it? Because I am leaving. I have dreams to pursue. A life to live as I see best. A talent from God to use and not let languish.”
Dominic nodded, his features hardening. There was no use chasing a resistant woman. She didn’t want them, didn’t want him. Had made it perfectly, crystalline clear. “Very well, Miss Gordon. I wish for you the best.”
He swept her a long, sardonic bow then brushed past her without a second look. She’d taken his words and stomped all over them. Never had he felt so maligned. Disrespected. He hurried down the stairs, only pausing when he heard Louise’s shrill voice.
“I hate you!” And then a door, slamming, the sound echoing through Lady Brandewyne’s cavernous townhouse. It was the sound of change, of promise, closing for good.
Mr. Gordon rushed to him as soon as he reached the foot of the stairs. “Lad, don’t give up. She’s stubborn. She doesn’t want to lose more people she loves.”
“She’s made her choice,” Dominic said roughly, his voice scratching, his vocal chords chafing as he spoke. “Perhaps it would be best if the next time you two plan to match two people eminently unsuited...don’t.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The earl of St. Raven was a big flirt desperate to keep his niece. He couldn’t possibly mean what he said. He might love her. Pfft.
How Henrietta wanted to believe him, though. The temptation to follow her heart rather than reason was almost too much to bear. If he had told her he loved her, then perhaps she might have stayed. Because she was beginning to believe that she loved him dearly.
A one-sided love would never do.
Henrietta followed the footman who was hauling her luggage to the carriages. She was to be at the shipyard early tomorrow morning for departure to the Continent. The dreary day mimicked her mood.
Louise refused to speak to her, or to even emerge from her bedroom. If Dominic had returned to Lady Brandewyne’s to collect his niece, she had not seen him. She inhaled a ragged breath of the damp air. Footmen loaded her bags.
“I forbid this.” Uncle’s voice came from the entryway of Lady Brandewyne’s house. “Unload her things at once.”
Behind him, Lady Brandewyne stood suspiciously quiet. A light mist began to fall, peppering Henrietta’s face with cold tears. She walked to her uncle, close enough so that she did
