Gail Whitiker (16 page)

‘
Mine?
Good heavens, there is little chance of my feelings entering into this.’

‘Why? Alice was right in saying that you’ve caught Stanford’s eye. Are you not curious to know him better?’

Coming from him, the question caught at her heart. ‘I’m not curious to know
any
gentleman better. I have nothing to offer, remember?’

‘What kind of nonsense is that? You have a great deal to offer.’

‘Except the truth of who I am,’ Hannah said as she waited for Robert to climb up beside her. ‘Or have you forgotten that we are fabricating a charade? I am supposedly the daughter of the late Viscount and Viscountess Winthrop, but you and I both know that I could be…well, anyone’s daughter. And knowing that, how can I enter into a relationship with a gentleman where I can tell him nothing of my family or myself? Truly, I have very little to offer.’

Robert’s face darkened. ‘You can offer him all that you are, and I think that a considerable gift.’

Hannah was silent for a moment, struck by the tone of his voice.
Oh, that you might find it such a gift
, she thought sadly. But she only shook her head and said, ‘Anyone I marry will have to know the truth, Robert. If there is not trust and openness in a marriage, I cannot help but feel that it is doomed from the start.’

‘I do not question or disagree with the need for honesty, but when a man falls in love with a woman, he forgives much.’

‘Yes, but he will be less likely to do so if the woman goes
into
the relationship knowing the truth, as I do.’

‘On the contrary, you don’t know what the truth is.’

‘But I know what it is
not
, Lord Winthrop.’ Hannah addressed him as such on purpose, and looking at him, knew that he had understood.

They made the rest of the short trip in silence.

In spite of her resolve not to, Hannah found herself coming to like James Stanford. He was utterly charming, endearingly modest, and had an ability to laugh at himself that Hannah found most refreshing. She could see why Alice was smitten by him.

‘Miss Winthrop, I fear I must profess myself totally
charmed by you,’ that gentleman said as they lingered over tea and cakes at Gunter’s. ‘Indeed, I intend to take your brother to task for not having encouraged you to come to London sooner.’

‘It is not Robert who should be taken to task, Mr Stanford.’ Touching the napkin to her lips, Hannah gave him a rueful smile. ‘
I
am the one who has been reluctant to come.’

‘There, did I not tell you?’ Robert said. ‘Not all young ladies are anxious to spend their days traipsing about London, James.’

‘Then I can only say that Miss Winthrop’s preference to stay in the country has been London’s loss,’ came Stanford’s gallant reply. ‘But since you have seen so little of the city, perhaps I might prevail upon you to join me for a drive in the park tomorrow afternoon, Miss Winthrop? It is a pleasant way to pass an hour or two, and I dare say it will afford you your first good look at society.’

Hannah’s smile wavered. ‘Tomorrow?’ Instinctively, she glanced at Robert, who said without faltering, ‘Ah, I’m afraid that won’t do, James. I promised Hannah that I would take her and Alice driving tomorrow. But if you would care to join us, you are more than welcome. We can take the landau.’

Mr Stanford’s disappointment was evident. ‘Oh. Well, if you’ve already made plans—’

‘Oh, do say you will join us, Mr Stanford.’ Hannah placed her hand lightly upon his arm. ‘Robert made the invitation because he knows that I have been…desirous of a drive in the park. But there is no reason not to include you. In fact, I’m sure the four of us would have a splendid time.’

Mr Stanford seemed to mull over her words, for while
it was obvious that he would have liked to spend some time with her, it was also clear that the only way he was going to do so was by joining the prearranged excursion. For that reason, he reluctantly agreed. ‘Very well. Since the outing has already been arranged, I should be happy to accept your invitation. Thank you, Miss Winthrop, for encouraging me to come along. Certainly, it would take a stronger man than I to resist such an eloquent plea. But now, I fear I must take my leave of you,’ he said, rising. ‘Other engagements demand my attention. I look forward to seeing you on the morrow, Miss Winthrop. Winthrop.’

Robert inclined his head. ‘James.’ He waited until the younger man left before leaning in closer to Hannah and saying, ‘Well, was my intervention in the proceedings satisfactory?’

‘Perfectly,’ Hannah said, trying not to sound as relieved as she felt. ‘But I do admit to feeling very bad for having deceived him like that.’

‘Take heart, my dear,
you
did not deceive him.
I
did. And it was not such a grievous lie.’ A devilish look came into Robert’s eyes. ‘I had every intention of asking you and Alice to go driving in the park with me as I told James. I simply hadn’t got round to it.’

‘Well, you did it so well I’m sure poor Mr Stanford had no idea it was the first time
I’d
heard of it too. But thank you for stepping into the breach, Robert.’

He looked at her in that way he had, his eyes glinting like dark jewels in the sunlight. ‘You’re welcome. Only remember that I won’t always be around to prevent the two of you being alone together. James is a determined young man, and he
is
looking for a wife.’

Hannah paled. ‘Then he must look elsewhere. You must convince him to look elsewhere for I do not wish
to cause him any pain. I will not encourage him, Robert, nor any other gentleman of your acquaintance. I cannot do so until I know who I am.’

Troubled by her own thoughts, Hannah did not see the pensive look Robert sent her. But it was likely just as well. It would have only added to the conundrum she was already finding herself in.

That evening, in an attempt to take Hannah’s mind off her troubles, Robert took her and Alice to a performance of
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
. It was a most enjoyable production, and for a short time, Hannah actually seemed to forget about her problems as she concentrated on the excellent portrayals of the characters by the talented band of actors on stage.

During the performance, Robert was not surprised to see a number of curious glances being sent their way from the boxes around them, and not all of them for his cousin. Alice was a lovely young woman, and as the only daughter of Sir Roger and Lady Montgomery she was considered an excellent catch, but Robert had a sneaking suspicion that at least half the glances being sent in their direction were for the
other
young lady sitting quietly in his box.

And why would people not gaze at Hannah with admiration? Robert thought to himself. She was in exceptional looks this evening. Her stylish gown of dove-grey silk became her very well, setting off her fair skin and dark hair to perfection. Her eyes were bright, and her enchanting mouth was a pleasure to watch, moving frequently to smiles and laughter at the antics on the stage. But his true enjoyment came in watching her observe the performance, for he truly believed that in watching
the actors Hannah was able to forget, if only for a short time, the role she herself was being forced to play.

‘Are you enjoying the play?’ he leaned over to ask as the intermission approached.

‘Oh, yes, very much.’ Hannah glanced at him briefly, and her smile was open and completely without guile. ‘Thank you so much for bringing me, Robert, this is a lovely treat.’

Somewhat bemused, Robert sat back in his chair. He wouldn’t have thought it possible to derive such satisfaction from the simple act of pleasing someone else, and yet that was precisely what he was feeling. But perhaps that had something to do with the fact that Hannah
was
so very easy to please. It was obvious that she took great pleasure in watching the story unfold, and in becoming involved with characters’ lives, unlike Alice, who was far more interested in the audience than she was in the actors on stage.

Fascinated, Robert looked at Hannah again, and indeed, there was much pleasing in her appearance. Dark curls danced against the porcelain perfection of her skin, while her slender neck and throat reminded him of the colour of new cream. She had a dainty build, yet her breasts were high and full, rising sensually above the fashionably low neckline of her gown. Shadows coloured the cleft between them, inviting touch.

Robert glanced away, aware of muscles tightening in a most uncomfortable way, evidence of the physical effect she was beginning to have upon him.

When intermission arrived, the three of them leisurely made their way downstairs. No sooner had they done so, however, than they found themselves surrounded by a crowd of people—many of whom were gentlemen anx
ious to know and be made known to the lovely Miss Winthrop.

Suddenly finding himself cast in the role of the devoted brother, Robert stood back and watched with a keen eye, the men clustered around Hannah. He assured himself he had every right to do so. After all, had his mother not charged him with the responsibility of looking after her, and to ensuring that she was not set upon by every wastrel and fortune hunter in London? But if that was the case, why was he looking with jaundiced eye upon
any
gentleman who approached her?

‘Lord Winthrop, what an unexpected pleasure. I had not thought to see you here this evening.’

The deep female voice belonged to the redoubtable Lady Thorpe, society maven, and mother of the lovely Miss Caroline Thorpe. Robert had known the family for years, indeed, long before Caroline had become London’s reigning beauty, and he had a genuine fondness for them all. ‘On the contrary, Lady Thorpe, I like to enjoy a bit of theatre every now and then. Especially when the calibre of the performance is as good as it is this evening.’

‘Never mind all that, tell me about the young lady I saw sitting in your box.’

Robert feigned a look of bewilderment. ‘Miss Montgomery, you mean?’

‘Imp! I am well acquainted with your cousin. It is the
other
young lady with whom I am
not
that I express curiosity.’

‘Ah, yes, of course.’ Robert’s mouth twitched. ‘I keep forgetting that Hannah is not well known in society.’

‘Hannah?’ Lady Thorpe’s eyes opened wide. ‘Are you already on first-name terms with the lady?’

‘Most certainly, since the lady happens to be my sister.’

It was the first time Robert had been called upon to lie about Hannah’s identity since he’d been made aware of the truth, yet he was surprised at how easily the falsehood came to his lips. But clearly, he was not the only one who was surprised.

‘Your
sister
? Good Lord!’

‘Why so surprised? Surely you knew I
had
a sister.’

‘Of course, but I had not expected her to be so lovely,’ Lady Thorpe admitted. ‘In fact, I often wondered why your mother did not bring her to London when she was of an age to make her bows. I thought perhaps to find her plain of face or ungainly of form, but the young woman I see before me is neither.’ She glanced at Robert in bewilderment. ‘Why did Charlotte not introduce her to society, as she should have?’

‘I’m afraid I cannot answer that, Lady Thorpe. As you know, I did not spend a great deal of time at Gillingdon before my mother’s death, and though that is something I now regret, there is nothing I can do to change it. As such, I have no idea why Mama did not bring Hannah to Town. I suspect it had more to do with her not wishing to come, than with any reluctance on my mother’s part.’

‘A young lady of such beauty
not
wish to be acclaimed by society? How singular. Pray, introduce me to this most unusual sister of yours, Robert.’

The introductions were duly made, with Hannah sinking into a curtsey that would have done a duchess proud. ‘Lady Thorpe.’

‘My dear Miss Winthrop, how very pleased I am to make your acquaintance. But may I also say how sorry I was to hear of your dear mother’s passing. I hadn’t
seen Charlotte in years, but I remember her as being the kindest of ladies. How are you bearing up, child? The loss of a mother is never easy.’

Hannah’s smile flickered. ‘No, it is not, my lady, but I am doing…the best I can.’

‘She is indeed,’ Robert said, hearing the slight catch in Hannah’s voice. ‘And your expressions of sympathy are most appreciated, Lady Thorpe.’

The older woman’s eyes softened. ‘Oh, my poor dears. It will get easier in time, you know. And I’m sure being here tonight is helping to take your mind off your sadness. Are you enjoying the performance, Miss Winthrop?’

‘Oh, yes, very much,’ Hannah said, glad to have something else upon which to concentrate. ‘Other than the occasional band of travelling players, we had little opportunity of seeing performances like this in our local village.’

Lady Thorpe nodded. ‘I have long believed that one of the great pleasures of living in Town is the opportunity it provides for enjoying a wide variety of cultural entertainments. Are you planning on staying long in London, Miss Winthrop?’

‘I cannot say. I am presently residing with my aunt and uncle, and they have been exceedingly kind, but I would not wish to trespass too long upon their good nature.’

‘Nonsense, I’m sure they are as delighted to have you as you are to be staying with them. And I’m sure Alice is enjoying having someone her own age to go about with.’

‘My aunt tells me she is, though I fear Alice is somewhat preoccupied at the moment,’ Hannah said carefully. ‘Oh?’

‘My cousin has developed a fondness for a certain young gentleman,’ Robert said. ‘As a result, she seems to spend little time thinking of anything else.’

‘Well, I suppose that is hardly surprising.’ Lady Thorpe chuckled. ‘It is the way of the world, is it not? But I shouldn’t be at all surprised to hear that
you
are soon in a similar position, Miss Winthrop.’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Now, my dear, there is no need to be modest. Looking as you do, you will surely attract a great deal of attention. Indeed, Robert, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that a number of your friends have been asking for an introduction.’