Page 39 of The Love Potion
He prayed that it was enough. He pressed the heavy jewelry into her hand.
“What are you doing?” she gasped. “I can’t take that!”
“You can and you will,” he said, though the enormity of this action left him quaking.
“Your Grace! I cannot.”
He wrapped her fingers around it and squeezed. “With my crest, I pledge that my actions are honorable. I will see that you are taken care of.”
“You can’t!” she squeaked.
“And yet I do.”
Then he banged on the top of the carriage. He knew where they were. She could return safely to her home from here. The horses stopped and he quickly pulled the cloak over her head. She was still shocked by his action. Truth be told, he was as well. But he gave neither of them time for second thoughts.
The footman pulled open the door and he tugged her out of her seat. She had no choice but to get out. She pushed her hand forward, trying to drop the ring in his lap, but he encircled her hand with his fist. She would not drop it.
“That is my life and my honor you carry,” he whispered. “Pray do not lose it.”
“Your Grace—”
“Call me Ras,” he said. He gestured to the footman who had a hand on her elbow. “See that she gets back safely.” Then he shut the door on her shocked face.
Chapter Thirteen
Kynthea stared atthe heavy jewelry in her hand. She was sitting upright on her bed after not sleeping the entire night through. What was he thinking, giving her this? Did he know what she could do with it? She could make any wild claims she wanted about him and use this as proof. Not everyone would believe her, but many would. Assuming she wasn’t clapped in irons as a thief.
A single knock sounded on her door before it swung open. It was Zoe, of course, looking none the worse for wear after a night’s dancing. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes bright, and she had all the energy of a sixteen-year-old girl who was an early riser.
Kynthea closed her fingers quickly, then slipped the ruby into the folds of her gown. She smiled at her young companion and attempted to order her thoughts.
“Good morning, Zoe. You are looking very good. Did you enjoy last night?”
“I’m so glad you’re dressed,” Zoe said as she dropped unceremoniously onto Kynthea’s bed. “And I had a wonderful time last night.”
“Tell me about every moment,” she said. “Were there any gentlemen who stood out? What caught your attention the most?”
Instead of bubbling over with delight, Zoe’s expression turned sober. She adjusted herself to a demure position and regarded Kynthea with sober eyes. “You know what stood out.”
Oh dear. “I didn’t mean to trip.”
“I know you didn’t!” Zoe huffed. “But it doesn’t matter. The biddies are saying you did it on purpose and Mother is beside herself. That’s bad enough, but Papa’s angry, too, and that’s not good for him. He’s still in bed and does not think he will be able to rise at all this day.”
That had more to do with him exerting himself too much last night, but that didn’t matter. Kynthea’s spectacle had been a stress and society’s reaction to it would weigh on both Zoe’s parents.
“I tried to be circumspect,” Kynthea said. “I sat with the chaperones for the rest of the set. I managed the servants during the supper buffet, then left the ballroom altogether. Last night was your night. I never meant to draw attention to myself.”
Zoe looked around the room, her misery palpable. “I know you didn’t,” she said. “As if you could force the duke’s spat to come undone. What they’re saying is ridiculous, but that doesn’t stop the gossip. And Papa hates gossip.”
Kynthea touched Zoe’s hands. The girl had a pure heart. She was clearly miserable that Kynthea was yet again the center of ugly gossip. So she took a page from the duke’s book and offered up her sincerest apology.
“What can I do? How can I make this better?”
“I don’t know that you can,” the girl sighed. “Mama is beside herself.”
Kynthea looked down at her pale yellow gown. It didn’t suit her coloring, but had been given to her by Zoe’s mother. Kynthea wore it when she wanted to please the lady, but it wouldn’t do to be this bright in the drawing room. “I’ll change into my gray gown and—”
“Don’t go down.”
