Page 31 of The Truth about the Viscount
“Thank you, Lady Patience, for confirming that.” Daniel smiled at her, then looked back to Lord Newforth, his eyebrows lifting just a little. “Now, the apology, if you please?” He turned his gaze to the Baron. “And from you also. I should like you to inform everyone listening that it is clear now that you have made a mistake, and I wasnotthe one present.”
The Baron gave another look to Lord Newforth, only to then shrug and drop his head. “I apologize,” he muttered, his shoulders rounding now. “I must have either been deceived or made a mistake.”
“Indeed. I am grateful to you for acknowledging such a thing.” With a look at Lord Newforth, Daniel spread out his hands. “Whenever you are ready, Lord Newforth. I must say, I cannot understand why you appear so very determined to have such mistruths spoken about me in such a public place. I would have thought that a gentleman might seek to defend another member of theton.” Hearing a slight ripple of murmurings going around the gathered group, Daniel let his lips lift just a little, making it clear to Lord Newforth that, yet again, he had beendefeated. Now thetonwould be speaking of him rather than of Daniel, wondering the same questions that Daniel himself had just put to him. “The apology, Lord Newforth. I am quite deserving of it, and I will not stand to have you say nothing.”
Lord Newforth stood as tall as he could, clicking his heels together and giving Daniel a somewhat superior look. Daniel lifted one eyebrow, glancing around the ballroom again for just a moment, and seeing how many present werealsolooking at Lord Newforth to see what he had to say. Waiting patiently and feeling as though even the orchestra had quietened their playing to hear Lord Newforth speak, Daniel’s breath quickened as still, Lord Newforth said nothing.
And then, the gentleman sighed heavily and then inclined his head.
“My heartfelt and most sincere apologies,” he said, in a tone that was nothing but regretful. “How foolish I was to believe this gentleman–” he indicated the Baron, “without so much as considering that there might have been some mistake. Forgive me.” Daniel did not answer, seeing the cold glint in Lord Newforth’s eyes and knowing that he did not mean a single word of what he had said. “Now, if you will excuse me,” Lord Newforth continued, lifting his chin and then turning away. “I shall take my leave, I think.”
The Baron did the same, scuttling away though, Daniel noticed, in the same direction as Lord Newforth. No doubt the two gentlemen would have some things to say to one another, though Daniel fully expected Lord Newforth to be utterly furious.
“Goodness.”
Daniel turned his attention directly towards Lady Patience, who was watching Lord Newforth leave in much the same way as he was doing.
“Lady Patience, I do not think that I can offer you enough thanks for what you have done for me,” he said, putting one hand to his heart as slowly, the crowd around them began to dissipate. “Had you not spoken as you did, then I would now find myself in a very difficult situation, I am sure.”
“You should have said that it was I who had seen you in the shop.” Her clear blue eyes searched his, her face a little flushed. “There was no need to hide that from anyone.”
Daniel shook his head.
“I did not want to speak so, for fear that I might either upset you by speaking of such a thing without your consent or bring thetonto question whether or not we had been alone together in the shop.”
A fire suddenly erupted in his heart as though that very thing – to be alone with her – was precisely what he wanted more of. Lady Patience did not look away, however, though, from where he stood, it appeared that her expression softened a little.
“You are most considerate.” She put one hand on his arm briefly, then pulled it away. “To consider me over yourself speaks of an excellent character, Lord Hastings.”
He looked away then, a little embarrassed to be spoken about in such a way.
“It is a gentleman’s duty, that is all.”
When he let his gaze turn back toward hers, the softness around her eyes seemed to draw him in all the more, practically melding his eyes with hers.
“This is the second time that Lord Newforth has attempted to cause you difficulty, is it not?” Daniel frowned and Lady Patience hastily looked away, her hands now clasping in front of her. “Forgive me, I ought not to be asking such impertinent questions, but I confess that I cannot help my curiosity.”
Not wishing for her to be in the least bit perturbed, not after all that she had done for him, Daniel quickly adjusted hisexpression and then, when she did not look at him, touched her arm gently.
“Lady Patience, you need not apologize, not when you have saved me twice from Lord Newforth!” He dropped his hand when she smiled. “But mayhap now is not the occasion to tell you all of it.”
The urge to tell her the truth, to explain all that had happened, was strong indeed and he could not help but give in to that desire. There was a connection between them now, he was aware of that, though quite what he was to do with such a connection, Daniel could not say as yet.
“I understand.”
The smile on her face dropped but Daniel stepped a little closer to her at once, keeping her gaze.
“Might you care for a walk through the park tomorrow?”
Surprise leaped into her face and Daniel suddenly feared that she would refuse him, that what he had asked would not be welcomed by her. Beginning to stammer, he stopped when Lady Patience’s smile returned in an even greater beauty than before, relief taking hold of his heart.
“That would be lovely, Lord Hastings. I thank you.”
“But of course.” He swept into a bow. “Until tomorrow, then, Lady Patience. And might I thank you again for your assistance. It has changed everything for me.”
Her smile sent light shining into her eyes.
“But of course, Lord Hastings. You are most welcome.”
