Page 34 of A Dream of Redemption
She smiled gloriously at him, and his heart flipped and broke free of the chains he’d kept it in.
“I don’t even know if it is for sale but I’m sure we can get our solicitor to find out who owns it and make an appropriate offer.”
Her excitement was infectious. He laughed. “I can get Simon, my brother, to look into that. He’s working as a clerk in a solicitor’s office. It will be a good test for him.”
“And if you don’t want to do the luncheon I’ll understand.”
His heart swelled even more. “If it raises more coin for the orphanage I will do my part. Your idea is sound.”
“Thank you. If we could buy the property next door it has several stables at the back. We could train some of the boys to be grooms.”
He was so proud of her. She really had put some thought into not just housing the orphans, but how to really ensure they could make a living—an honest living.
They were nearing the pond when just ahead of them on the path he spied a group approaching them. Fashionably dressed ladies and gentlemen moved closer, and his blood ran cold. He recognized someone he hoped he’d never see again. The idea of being able to sneak into her world died. “Shall we take this path?” and he tried to direct her the other way.
“I’d love to go by the pond,” and she marched on and he had to follow. “Oh, of all the people for her to be walking with,” Helen said, and she looked annoyed.
“Hello, Lady Helen Hawkestone.” A woman was waving at her.
Helen waited until they drew closer, and Clary’s stomach dropped. Lord Fairfax was in the group. Fairfax had been a regular at the brothel he’d worked in and Clary had been his favorite toy.
“Lady Angela, how lovely to see you.” Angela ignored her greeting and stood looking at Clary.
“My, my,” Angela said, placing a kiss on Helen’s cheek. “Where have you been hiding such a fine gentleman?”
He watched Fairfax’s eyes narrow and his nostrils flare.
“May I introduce Mr. Homeward, the Duchess of Lyttleton’s private secretary.”
Lady Angela held out her hand and he bowed over it. “A pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” she said silkily. Clary almost smiled at the flash of jealousy on Helen’s face as she turned her friend away from him.
There were two other gentlemen that Clary did not know and two young ladies, followed by their chaperones. He did not recognize any of the other men with Fairfax, but Fairfax was staring at him as if he had two heads.
The women walked off toward the pond, Mary following her mistress. Leaving Clary facing Fairfax and his male friends.
“Go and catch up with Lady Angela, I want a private word with Mr. Homeward,” Fairfax uttered to the other gents.
Once the others were out of earshot, Fairfax hissed, “What the blazes are you playing at? How dare you walk in the park with a lady.”
“Good afternoon, Lord Fairfax. If you excuse me I should catch up to her ladyship. Your behavior is being noted, and I don’t think you’d want me explaining how we met.”
With that threat hanging in the air Clary made to walk around Fairfax but the lord grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “You mention one word about me and that club and I’ll see you’re put back in the gutter where you belong.”
He wanted to shake off Fairfax’s hand, the feel of it on his person made him sick, but he noted Helen and Angela’s group was staring at them. “Let go of me, you are drawing attention to yourself.”
Fairfax looked over at his friends and quickly let go of his arm. “This is not over. I don’t know who you are pretending to be, but I’ll see you run out of town.”
Clary stood up proud and tall. He looked down his nose at Fairfax. “I work for the Duchess of Lyttleton and any scandal about me will impact on Her Grace and I won’t allow that. If I hear you are telling tales I shall ensure every mother in thetonunderstands your particular hedonistic tastes. You’ll be shunned, or worse, but without proof probably only shunned. Something you’ll care more about than I would. I have no reason, or wish, to enter Society nor any reputation to uphold.”
He glared at Fairfax whose face became very pale. “You would not dare.”
“Try me,” and Clary tipped his hat at Fairfax and made to move round him. Just as he was about to take a step Fairfax stuck his walking stick out and sent Clary headfirst onto the path. He wasn’t quick enough to put his arms out and so he rolled and let his body take the full impact. He landed on his injured side and pain raged through his body mixed with the anger and a driving need to pummel Fairfax into the dirt. Of course he couldn’t do that. Attacking a peer would carry a sentence of transportation. Probably what Fairfax wanted.
Then he heard the sound of dainty running feet and a feminine cry of outrage. “You did that on purpose, you swine.” He looked up from the ground to see Helen hit Fairfax with her reticule.
One of the other gentlemen arrived and helped him to his feet. “I’m sure his lordship did nothing of the sort, my lady.”
