The Mysterious Miss Flint (Lost Ladies of London 1)
Nicole swallowed. After witnessing the way he’d tackled Stokes, the earl was not a man who took no for an answer.
“I cannot return to London, my lord.” Nicole inhaled deeply. He would want an explanation, and the truth was not something she was willing to impart.
He tilted his head to the side as he studied her face. “Why ever not?”
“Be-because there is someone I wish to avoid.” That was not a lie. “I am sure you have seen enough scoundrels parading the ton to determine the facts for yourself.”
His gaze flicked briefly to her breasts, and her cheeks grew a little warmer. “There is a reason why a paid companion should appear dull and dowdy,” he said somewhat annoyed. “If you displayed your beauty as openly as you do now, I assume at least one gentleman behaved in an unacceptable manner.”
Did the earl just say she was beautiful?
Having received few compliments in her life, the comment distracted her thoughts momentarily from the abominable way Jeremy had behaved. Kindness and compassion were words foreign to her brother’s vocabulary. Money was his one true love.
“Why do men feel it is their given right to own a woman?” She spoke of Rose’s predicament, too. “Why does wearing a dress mean a lady should forfeit the right to make decisions about her future?”
“Some men prey on those they deem weak in order to feel empowered. But I can assure you, should you accompany me to London, I shall give you my full p
rotection.”
“You do not need my help to find Rose, my lord.”
A frustrated sigh left his lips. “No, I do not. But one glimpse at the crest on my carriage and I fear my sister will run for the hills.”
Nicole considered the way the earl’s muscular thighs strained against the material of his breeches. “And as you have the advantage of longer strides, I am certain you will catch her.”
“Do you not feel remotely responsible for the fact Rose is missing? Had it not been for your timely intervention, she would be nestled in my carriage and heading back to the comfort and safety of her home. Now I fear she may be ruined beyond all redemption.”
Nicole flinched. The sharp stab to her heart forced her to suck in a breath. “Do not think to place the blame on my shoulders.” He had no right to pass judgement. When one suffered a loss of liberty emotions ran high. “Where were you, my lord, when Rose wept in my arms wishing she could escape from this hellhole? Where were you when she took ill, and I had to nurse her day and night because Mrs Gripes refused to call a doctor?”
The earl tugged at his collar as he struggled to hold her gaze. “Had I known of your circumstances I would have intervened.”
“The point is you didn’t.” Nicole’s silent prayers had gone unanswered. “Rose left here voluntarily. I am happy to admit that helping her to escape might not have been the best plan.” With the gift of hindsight, what seemed like the most logical course of action sometimes proved to be wrong. “What choice had we?”
“None,” he said sharply. “But had my father been alive, he would have hunted you to the ends of the earth to punish you for the part you played.”
An icy chill ran down the length of Nicole’s spine at the thought of being chased by a hound like Stokes. “You mean he would have hired others to do his bidding. How fortunate fate sought to intervene and brought you to Morton Manor.”
“I would not express your gratitude to the gods just yet. Had I arrived some hours earlier, Rose would not be in her current predicament.” A resigned sigh left his lips. “As we are having an honest conversation, you should know that Rose may resent my interference. I left her. I left her in the hands of a deranged fool, and for that I fear she will never forgive me.”
Nicole studied the earl’s firm jaw and down-turned mouth. His words conveyed a vulnerability rarely expressed by aristocratic gentlemen, one so opposed to the powerful presence that surely caused many a maiden to stop and take notice. There was something about his arrogant air of authority that appealed to her, for he was not the least bit overbearing.
“And do you regret your decision, my lord? Do you regret leaving your sister without an ally?”
The earl removed his hat and brushed his hand through his hair. “All that matters now is finding Rose. But if you want the truth, then yes, I regret abandoning her. I admit that I was wrong.”
A strange feeling fluttered to life in Nicole’s chest. Never had she met anyone so open and honest with their feelings. Men were usually so sly, so devious. Jeremy often feigned kindness to secure her co-operation. Was the earl just another scoundrel capable of using feigned sentiment to provoke a reaction?
“You judge yourself too harshly, my lord. Rose had first-hand experience of your father’s unjust demands. I’m confident she would understand the reason for your absence.”
Why was she overcome with the need to appease him?
He narrowed his gaze. “It is obvious you care for my sister. Those held captive form strong bonds. It is a proven theory.”
Nothing could break the connection she shared with Rose.
“It is true we became dear friends during our time here.”
“Which is why I hope you will help me. I must know everything that happened at the manor if I’m to help Rose overcome the trauma of being locked away by her own father.”