Page 19 of The Truth about the Viscount
“I do not know.” Rounding the corner of the path, Patience was met with a few gathered crowds of ladies and gentlemen, though the fashionable hour was still not quite begun. She began to walk more slowly, her gaze darting over each and every face, though she was not sure who it was she was looking for. “I do not claim even the smallest knowledge of Lord Hastings’ character and–”
“If I might interrupt, I should tell you that Lord Hastings has the most excellent character.”
A flush of heat rushed into Patience’s cheeks as she turned her head to see a young lady looking at them, her chin tilted upwards, and a flash of fire in her eyes. She recognized her at once, though they had never been introduced.
“I ought not to interrupt your conversation, I know,” the young lady continued, taking a step closer to Patience and Eleanor, “but if someone is to speak of my brother, then I will do all that I must to defend him.”
“You quite mistake our intentions, Miss Spearton.” Patience inclined her head by way of greeting. “It is not our intention to speak poorly about your brother. Rather, I was simply saying that I did not know anything about him as yet, given that we were only just introduced the previous evening… and that was not even a proper introduction! Please forgive us for upsetting you.”
Miss Spearton’s eyes flashed and, for whatever reason, she did not appear to believe Patience.
“I have heard a few of the whispers about my brother only this afternoon,” she snapped, tossing her head. “I would not likeit if there were others who intended to speak ill of him even more. You may say that your intentions were not to injure him but–”
“Ah, Lady Patience. Good afternoon.”
Patience swallowed hard as she dipped into a curtsey, the warmth in her face intensifying.
“Lord Hastings.”
Miss Spearton’s gaze darted between Patience and the gentleman.
“You are acquainted with this lady, brother?”
“Of course I am. I would not have greeted her otherwise.” Lord Hastings looked from his sister to Patience and then back again. “I do hope that there is nothing of concern here?”
Miss Spearton’s eyes narrowed just a little.
“I overheard you mentioned in conversation and thought to come to your defense. I have heard the recent rumors about you, and I certainly do not wish anyone to add to them. Therefore, though it was a little rude I admit, I did interrupt to state quite the opposite of whatmighthave been being said.”
“Though it was not needed, I assure you,” Eleanor put in as Patience nodded fervently. “We were not saying anything derogatory.”
Lord Hastings, rather than smile and state that he quite understood, immediately scowled.
“But you were speaking of me, Lady Patience?”
A trifle unsettled at his response, Patience cleared her throat and then lifted her chin.
“You are mistaken if you believe that I am in any way inclined towards gossip or the like, Lord Hastings. My cousin was asking me about the soiree, and I told her of our less than perfect introduction to one another, that is all.”
“I see.” The scowl did not lift from his face. “Yes, it was not as it ought to have been, I suppose.” His gaze then turnedtowards Eleanor, who only smiled at him. “And we have not been introduced as yet, I do not think.”
Eleanor bobbed into a quick curtsey.
“Lord Hastings, I was just saying to my cousin that I did not know youoryour character, so I am very glad to be able to make your acquaintance.”
The defense that such words brought made Patience’s heart skip a beat as she hid a smile. Eleanor had, in her own clear and distinct way, stated that she had not been saying anything untoward about Lord Hastings and, from the way that his lips flattened, Patience was quite sure that he understood precisely what it was she had meant by such words. It seemed, however, that he was not in the least bit pleased.
“How very good to make your acquaintance.” His voice had dropped low, a slight darkness about his expression now. “I do hope that the impression I made upon you, Lady Patience, might have given you a slight indication as to the sort of gentleman I purport to be.”
“Indeed, it did.” Patience smiled warmly in the hope that this would bring an end to the conversation, that there would be nothing now to concern him. “Did you enjoy the soiree last evening, Lord Hastings?”
“No.”
The short, sharp answer took Patience by surprise, and her smile dropped from her face. Lord Hastings now appeared to be in something of a dark mood, not even smiling at them any longer. Could it be that he believed what his sister had suggested they had been doing, even though both herself and Eleanor had stated, quite clearly, that they had done nothing of the sort? After what Miss Spearton had mentioned about the rumors, mayhap he too had come to hear of them and was now concerned.
“You must forgive my brother.” Miss Spearton, her bright expression appearing forced rather than in the least bit genuine, smiled tightly. “Last evening did bring something of a trial with it, but you cannot say that there was no true enjoyment, Hastings!”
Lord Hastings shrugged and turned his head away, making a flush of embarrassment rush through Patience.
