Lissa burst out laughing when they’d gained the conservatory and closed the door behind them. “Oh my Lord, I was so concerned for Miss Maria and what would happen, and while such an encounter with Lord Debenham was very terrible for one so young, it did serve her right. It certainly confirms any suspicions that for reasons known only to herself, Araminta wished to entice me into Lord Debenham’s orbit.” She shivered. “I’m sorry, Ralph, I do not like your employer.”
“And I’m afraid I don’t care overly for your sister. She wanted to discredit you, that is quite clear, only she was not terribly cunning about it. But how can I tell Teddy when he is happy for the first time in years? Teddy told me Miss Partington had passed on the information that she’d seen you spying on Lord Debenhan, all alone, in his supper box in Vauxhall Gardens. When that did not quell my interest, I suspect she devised this neat little device.”
Lissa gasped. “Spying? She told him that?” But then, the truth was that Lissa had indeed been spying on Lord Debenham.” She had to let that go. But the other? “Yes, the gown was clearly Hetty’s, for it was too big for Araminta. I believe she entertained herself with this grand subterfuge in order to make it appear I was consorting with Lord Debenham, and ensuring our encounter was witnessed by your brother.” Unable to help herself, she smiled. “Poor Miss Maria, she must have been terrified. I find Lord Debenham frightening enough, but I can’t begin to imagine what Miss Maria felt when she became the butt of his anger.”
“I certainly do.” Ralph’s grin quickly faded. “Sadly, I can’t leave his employ until a plum job as second attaché for some British diplomatist falls into my lap.”
Lissa’s heart flipped. Agitated, she tore off the palm frond she was playing with. “Oh Ralph, you don’t mean it,” she said, crestfallen. “A diplomat? Why, then you’ll be travelling all over the world. We will never be able to—” She bit off the words that would be too forward to utter. Even if Ralph had so often alluded to a shared future, it had always been half jestingly.
“I’ve always wanted to be a diplomatist, but I want you to be my wife more,” he said seriously, taking Lissa’s hands.
“Why, Ralph, that is... I really don’t know what to say.”
“I don’t know why, since you’ve heard me voice the sentiment often.”
“But never seriously.”
“My dear girl, if I were in a position to make you a serious offer, I’d go down on one knee this very moment.” He brought her hands up to his lips. “But I’ll not elicit an avowal of your return affections and deny you an opportunity to accept a rich, handsome suitor who can offer you now, what I cannot.”
“Ralph, don’t—”
For once the quirk that made his mouth seem always to be laughing at himself or something else was not in evidence. He looked as sad as she felt. “It’s true, Lissa, that I want what’s best for you. I will not see you save yourself for me when I have no idea how long it will take me to become elevated in the world sufficiently to take a wife.”
“I’ve lived on very little my whole life. I don’t need a carriage or a—”
“Hush, dear girl, I know very well your wants are modest.” Beneath the drooping fronds of the tallest fern, he cradled her against him and rested his chin on her hair while he stroked her cheek. “But the truth is, I can barely keep myself. Occasionally I get a family handout but I cannot rely on those. My self-respect demands that I am able to offer you at least a modicum of comfort.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. “Very well, then. The fact that you want me will be enough. I won’t insist on anything that will make you uncomfortable.”
He laughed and kissed her forehead as he turned her in his arms, putting his hands on her shoulders, ready to let her go. “What a perfect angel you are. So unlike that half-sister of yours. My poor brother doesn’t know what he is letting himself in for.”
“Hush.” Lissa put her fingers to her lips. “Let’s not talk of Araminta.”
“I won’t say another word on the subject except that I predict interesting times ahead. My brother received a most extraordinary missive yesterday that I hope might change matters considerably, despite certain complications.”
“Oh, Ralph, what?”
He shook his head and buttoned his lips together even as he smiled. “A true diplomatist does not speak of such things until they have come to pass.”
“But you just said you—”
“Loved you? Actually, I didn’t say those words, which was really quite remiss of me, because in fact I do love you. Quite sincerely...and I could go further. Quite passionately, only I dare not dwell on the extent of those dangerous depths when my feelings are immaterial if I’m unable to act upon them.”
“Oh Ralph, what a ridiculous speech. If you love me, you can say it properly. I like to hear it.” She reached forward and kissed him quickly on the lips. “There. In my employer’s conservatory. How much greater proof do you need that my feelings match yours?”
He raked his fingers through his hair as he closed his eyes and rocked back on his heels with a deep sigh. “Yes, I love you, Miss Hazlett. And now I must go before I am quite wild with desire.” Opening his eyes, he gathered her quickly in his arms, kissed her forehead, then set her away from him as he turned toward the door.
His expression was full of the greatest tenderness as he looked over his shoulder. “One day I will say those words to you in a way that makes you feel full of joy, not despair, as I feel. Good day to you, my most precious Lissa. I do not know when we will see each other again.”
Lissa sighed. “Nor do I. Master Cosmo is so angry with me for changing the picture of Mrs. Crossing when he thought he would get so much more for evidence that would ruin the man’s poor wife.”
“Yes, the last time I saw Mr. and Mrs. Crossing together they looked very cozy in one another’s company.”
“Well, if I were to have been the means of ruining such good relations, then it was the least I could do.” She grinned. “However, I was more concerned about saving Mrs. Crossing. Her husband is not a nice man.”
“He’s not,” Ralph agreed. “I’ve heard this corroborated in various quarters. Well, my dear, let us hope Cosmo needs you for a lucrative commission soon. Soon, I must leave for Little Nipping
but I shall be gone only one night. When I return, I shall do my best to orchestrate an invitation for you on behalf of my employer. Then I shall whip out my cravat, execute my most artful knot and we can pretend that idling our time away in the pursuit of leisure is what we do, everyday.”