Page 35 of A Gentleman's Reckoning
“My lady, if I might breathe a word of warning in your ear.”
This unpromising beginning wormed its way under her skin, and she paused with her hand on the guardrail and looked at him, waiting.
“I believe Mr. Rowles deems himself to be nearly on par with you—or at least he does so to the degree that he suffers no qualms about encroaching upon your goodness. He informed me about the request he made to have orphans assist him in his labor.” He offered her a patronizing look that was clearly meant to be kind. “I have taken steps to ensure he will no longer do so and have instructed the steward to approachmeon all matters in the future.”
Geny breathed in through her nose.On the contrary, Mr. Dowling, it is not he who encroaches on my goodness, as you choose to call it.
The meaning of his words struck next, causing her to furrow her brows. He had claimed that Mr. Rowles wanted orphans to assist him and not that he had offered to train them. She decided not to bring this up and paused only for the brief moment it took for her to decide how she would respond.
“You are very good, Mr. Dowling. Please do not concern yourself with me. I can handle my own affairs, and Mr. Rowles has been nothing but civil. I do not mind being of assistance to him in this small way when it cost me nothing to do so.”
As she took a step, she saw out of the corner of her eye that he lifted a hand, and it caused her to tense. But he dropped it, and she was able to leave without being accosted.
She climbed the stairs and, as soon as she had removed her cloak and bonnet, went directly into Mr. Rowles’s office. Gabriel and Timothy were already there working on the accounting books Mr. Rowles had provided them. She greeted them, a smile in her eyes as she acknowledged John, who had come to his feet to bow. His Christian name came to mind as soon as she saw him, for how could she think of him formally after what they had shared?
The two orphans stopped their work to look up at her, Gabriel with a solemn gaze and Timothy with a speculative one. She praised them for what they had written, fully aware of John as he stood behind her. She had enough presence of mind to notice his handwriting on the boys’ ledgers. He was indeed training them. She shook her head at Mr. Dowling’s impudence, then drew a breath, turning just as John moved his gaze from her to the orphans.
He gestured for them to stand. “Boys, you may go outside for fifteen minutes to have some exercise. If anyone says anythingto you, you will tell them I’ve given you permission. Your sums will be waiting for you to return, however.”
Geny was secretly thrilled that he had sent the boys away, for it revealed his wish to speak to her, which was precisely what she wanted. She called after the boys.
“My brother, Lord Caldwell, is in the stables if you wish to greet him. You remember Matthew?”
“Yes, my lady,” Gabriel answered for them both, and they ran off.
She turned to John, who closed the distance of a few steps between them with a smile that matched hers. “Your brother is here then?”
“Yes—unexpectedly so. There was unfortunately an outbreak of measles at Eton. My father thought it judicious for him to come home immediately rather than risk being contaminated. At least, I hope he will not grow ill.”
John’s brow creased with concern. “Indeed, I hope he will not…and that you will not.”
His gaze lingered on her face and there was warmth in his eyes. She could not help but smile more broadly, although she fought the urge to be so utterly transparent. It was just that she felt so happy in his presence.
Without warning, the light in his eyes faded and his expression grew somber. He lowered his voice. “My lady, I am afraid I took a great liberty the other day, one I?—”
She was already shaking her head before he had finished his sentence, and he stopped short when he saw it. She wished to tell him that he had not taken any liberties because she had welcomed his kiss. But how could she say such a thing?
When nothing more was forthcoming, he added, “I beg your forgiveness. It was unwise, and I will ensure that it does not happen again.”
Disappointment froze her speech, but she finally managed to nod. “Of course. Of course it will not.”
She smiled again, a rigid one that felt every bit as painful as the look on his face. He did not seem to like this any more than she did, so why must he say it was a mistake? She took a deep breath and turned behind her to glance at the doorway, now hearing the sounds of Mr. Dowling in his office. Surely their quiet speech could not have carried?
“I should go and see how my brother is doing.” She wanted only to escape, but he stepped to her side, surprising her.
“I should very much like to meet your brother, if that is all right with you.”
She lifted wary eyes to his and assessed his expression. This was not a man who looked as though he wished to rid himself of her presence. The thought carried comfort, though it was small.
“I am sure he would be glad to meet you. If you will excuse me for a moment, I must retrieve something in the office.”
He murmured his assent, and Geny escaped from his office to collect herself before they walked outdoors together. She had not thought that he would be so eager to dismiss what they had shared. The fact that he had would take some adjusting to. Upon reflection, she was convinced that she was not the only one to have felt something. He must have been pulling back because of the difference in their station. It was noble of him, perhaps, but she did not ask for nobility in this instance. What she wanted was a simple love between two people with similar ideals—a man and a woman who shared the same beliefs about what was important without a concern for where they stood in society. A tear had escaped, and she wiped it hastily as she grabbed her cloak.
Whirling around, she came face-to-face with Mr. Dowling.
“My lady, are you well? You seem overwrought.”
Was she to have no peace?Geny could not answer right away. He had infringed on her private moment, even before she couldwipe away signs of her distress. It took every ounce of her good breeding to respond civilly.
