The Viscount's Veiled Lady (Whitby Weddings 3)

‘Lydia came for you?’ Her father looked suspicious, angry and confused all at the same time.

‘Yes. It’s all very silly really.’ She forced a laugh. ‘Only I met Arthur at the Ambertons’ garden party last week and he told me all about his piglets. They escaped that day, you see, and it just sounded so comical that I wanted to see them. I suppose it was a bit indiscreet of me to come on my own, but it was such a nice day and I was so eager that I walked here along the beach after lunch. I had no idea of anyone seeing me, but I suppose somebody must have and sent word to Lydia, who came to rescue me.’

‘You call that indiscreet? Have you taken leave of your senses, girl?’

‘I hope not, but it’s really not so bad. Once everyone knows that it was me and not Lydia who came unescorted, then they’ll understand it’s all just a storm in a teacup.’

‘I very much doubt that!’

‘You’re absolutely right, sir,’ Arthur interjected before she could argue again. ‘I ought never to have invited your daughter to visit. It was inappropriate and ungentlemanly and I beg your forgiveness.’

‘If you want my forgiveness, then you can put the situation right, sir.’

‘As I have every intention of doing.’

‘What?’ Frances spun towards Arthur in alarm. He’d looked as shocked as everyone else when she entered, though she’d avoided catching his eye ever since, afraid of what she might see there. Would he think her brazen, too? ‘No! Don’t be ridiculous!’

‘I don’t believe it’s ridiculous.’ He ignored her protest. ‘Miss Webster, would you do me the honour—’

‘There’s no need for this!’

‘—the very great honour—’

‘You don’t have to—’

‘—of accepting my hand in marriage?’

‘Of course she will!’

‘Father!’ Frances swung from Arthur to her father and then back again in dismay. The whole situation was spiralling out of control and she couldn’t seem to stop it. This wasn’t what she’d intended, not at all! She’d come to rescue Arthur, for pity’s sake, not to spring another trap. She already felt as though the walls were closing in around them and yet, oddly enough, he didn’t look angry. Quite the opposite—his lips were curving in a smile, a surprisingly serene-looking smile, almost as if he didn’t mind at all...

She gaped at him in shock. Arthur Amberton was smiling!

‘Perhaps you could give us a moment to discuss this alone?’ The words were addressed to her father, though she didn’t move her eyes from Arthur.

‘Absolutely not!’

‘But—’

‘No buts! You’ve had too much freedom altogether, young lady, if this is what comes of it. If you think that I’m letting you out of my sight again before your wedding day, then you’re very much mistaken!’

‘Papa...’

‘Lord Scorborough.’ Her father held a hand out towards Arthur. ‘I know you’re a man of your word, no matter what else people say about you. I’ll expect you to call on me soon.’

‘Gladly.’ Arthur shook his hand firmly. ‘I look forward to it, sir.’

‘Good. In that case, I believe that we’ve all had enough excitement for one day. Frances, Lydia, Mrs Kitt...’ he gave each of them a look that brooked no opposition ‘...we’re leaving.’

* * *

Frances sat on her mother’s newest purchase, a rococco-style sofa in the parlour, staring at the wall after the worst night’s sleep of her life. She’d felt even more disturbed than she had after her accident. Back then she’d lain awake night after night, her emotions in turmoil as she’d struggled to come to terms with what had happened, but at least she’d only had herself to worry about. Now she was afraid she’d managed to ruin someone else’s life, too.

Hadn’t Arthur understood what she’d been doing when she’d burst into his parlour so unexpectedly? Hadn’t he guessed that she’d come to rescue him, not to trap him for herself? It had taken all of her nerve to go through with it, especially in front of her father, but at that moment it had seemed like the only way to save him from Lydia’s trap. Even now, she didn’t see what else she could have done.

Except that somehow it had all gone wrong. She’d saved him from one engagement only to shackle him into another—with her! She ought to have known that he’d do the honourable thing and protect her, though surely he must have been fuming inside. No matter how well he’d hidden it behind that enigmatic smile, he must have been rueing the day he’d ever set eyes on her, seeing her intrusion as a betrayal, perhaps even another scheme...

She tipped her head back and threw an arm over her face. She really ought to take a nap. No doubt she looked even worse than she felt, but she already knew that sleep would elude her. Everything she’d thought and expected of her future had been turned on its head. Never mind what Arthur thought of their situation, she didn’t even know herself. She was engaged. The whole situation seemed bizarre, incredible even. She had put aside all thoughts of marriage after Leo, so it was hard to open her mind up to the idea again, even harder to work out how she felt about it. She liked Arthur. They were friends. No...she chided herself...after their kiss, they were surely more than that, but as to what she had no idea...