Page 35 of The Truth about the Viscount
“You are most kind.” Miss Spearton released Patience’s hand and then took a steadying breath. “Now, I must return to my betrothed. He is waiting for me.”
“But of course.”
Patience watched as the lady took her leave, looking to then speak to Eleanor again, only for someone else to approach.
“Lady Patience, is it not?”
Patience nodded slowly.
“Yes, I am. Though I do not think that we are acquainted, however.”
The lady smiled, lines forming around her eyes.
“We are not, but I am acquainted with your mother.” She put one hand to her heart. “Lady Winters.”
“Lady Winters, good evening.” Patience looked at Eleanor, though her cousin had decided to stand back from this conversation also, clearly desirous not to interrupt. “I hope that you are enjoying the ball.”
The lady chuckled.
“My dancing days are far behind me, Lady Patience, though my daughter, Lady Madeline, is here for the Season this year. She is soon to make a very happy match, however.”
“I am very glad for her,” Patience answered, throwing another glance towards Eleanor, given that she found the conversation a little awkward, but her cousin was now in deep conversation with another. “I do hope that she will be very happy.”
All of a sudden, Lady Winters stepped closer to Patience, grabbed her arm, and pulled her face close.
“Listen to me, Lady Patience,” she hissed, as Patience, cold with shock, could only stare into the lady’s eyes. “If you draw near Lord Hastings, if you so much asdareto be in companywith him, then it will be all the worse for you. Do you understand me?”
Patience blinked rapidly, her eyes flaring wide.
“I – I beg your pardon?”
“I have seen you in the park, at the ball, in deep conversation,” the lady continued, her harsh whispers sending streaks of fright down Patience’s spine. “I do not know what you mean by it, but you are to stay away from him, do you hear me?”
“I – I do not know what you mean. We are acquainted, that is all.” Patience pulled herself back forcibly, yanking her arm from the older lady’s grip. “I have no intention of stepping away from him.”
Lady Winters glowered angrily at Patience, though Patience gazed back without flinching, although her heart was hammering furiously.
“Then you will find yourself caught up in the consequences that are soon to befall him,” Lady Winters threw out at her, her face scrunched up into an expression of fury. “You have been warned, Lady Patience. And you will not be given another one.”
“I think it is time for you to take your leave, Lady Winters.” Patience lifted her chin and pulled her gaze away just as Eleanor came to join her. “Good evening.”
Lady Winters said nothing, turning on her heel and storming away from Patience without so much as a backward look.
“Whatever was that about?” Eleanor looked at Patience, worry in her eyes. “I did not think that you were acquainted with Lady Winters.”
“I am not.”
Eleanor frowned.
“Then why did she come to seek you out in such a way?”
Patience shook her head, swallowing her words. It would be better not to explain all to Eleanor, for her cousin would only worry.
“It does not matter.”
“You need to be careful.” Eleanor clicked her tongue. “Lady Winters is aunt to Lord Newforth.”
Snatching in a gasp of surprise, Patience closed her eyes briefly, anxiety beginning to curl in her stomach. Now, it all made sense.
