Page 37 of A Lady of Conscience

“Because I’d have told Kate, and she’d have told Ivo, Jack, and her parents. Yes, so you’ve said. An excuse which fails to take into account the fact that I’m not in the habit of breaking family confidences.”

Hannah dusted her fingers off on her white linen napkin. “Kate is soon to be your family. You would certainly have told her.”

“Not if you didn’t want me to.”

Hannah smiled at her older brother’s naivete. “Kate would have wheedled it out of you. You know she would have.”

Charles gave an eloquent wince. He raised his teacup to his lips. “Perhaps you’re right.”

“I am.” Hannah bit into the soft part of her toast. Beneath the tablecloth, the dogs resumed their begging, having already wolfed down their portion of the crust. “In any event, it scarcely mattered until yesterday. I had thought the matter quite over and done with.”

“Had you confided in me, I might have warned you that it wasn’t,” Charles said. “A man like St. Clare doesn’t give up easily.”

Hannah’s mouth dipped in a thoughtful frown. “Papa said something of the sort.”

“He was right. And so was I when I warned our parents that St. Clare was developing an attraction for you.”

She reached for her teacup. “I still don’t know how you could have known that. I didn’t even know it until he proposed. Just because he came to Bath⁠—”

“It isn’t only that,” Charles said. “It’s the way he looks at you. The same way he’s looked at you since we visited Beasley Park.”

Hannah’s senses perked with interest. “What way?”

“As though he’s trying to solve a puzzle.”

Her spirits sank a trifle. She could guess what puzzle that was. “He doesn’t want to like me.”

Charles shook his head. “Hannah⁠—”

“No, it’s true. His brothers speak about it freely enough. So does Kate. James envisioned attaching himself to a paragon. He even has one in mind, I’m told.”

“If he has,” Charles said, “I’ve not heard of it.”

“Kate mentioned her to me. She said she was a marquess’s daughter, highly connected in London.”

“St. Clare is here, not in London.”

“I’m aware.”

“It doesn’t follow that you must grant him a second hearing,” Charles said. “Say the word and I’ll deal with him. He will trouble you no more.”

“You’re very chivalrous,” Hannah said. “And very sweet. I’m grateful for it. And for Mama and Papa’s advice and protection too. But this time…” She raised her teacup to her lips. “I do believe I shall handle things for myself.”

Chapter Twelve

James arrived in Camden Place promptly at eleven to collect Hannah for their journey to Fallkirk’s Farm. Captain and Mrs. Heywood welcomed him in the drawing room, both of them civil but reserved. Hannah stood next to them in her pink pelisse, straw bonnet, and gloves, looking a little anxious.

“It’s less than three miles to Bidbury,” Captain Heywood said. “It shouldn’t take you above half an hour each way.”

“Possibly longer with the donkey,” James replied. “He’s tied to the back of my curricle.”

Hannah’s face brightened. “How is he?”

“Exceedingly well,” James said. “A warm mash and a night in a comfortable stable have worked wonders. You would hardly recognize him.”

“Oh, I can’t wait to see him,” Hannah said. “He was so pitifully dispirited yesterday.” She took a step toward the doors of the drawing room. “Should we⁠—”

“Your tiger will be accompanying you?” Captain Heywood asked brusquely, interrupting his daughter.