Page 10 of A Well-Trained Lady

Augustus released a heavy breath. “Well, it is not yet too late to change your mind. I know that you don’t wish to disappoint Ruth, but she will come to understand.”

“If I did not want to come, I would not have agreed to it.” I paused, not certain I wished to ask the question looming in my mind. “Unless it is your preference I remain behind?”

He hesitated. “No. I don’t believe it is.”

I lifted my brows. “Very reassuring.” His chuckle followed me as I started forward again. “Mr. Brundage?” As I faced him, my heart attempted to lodge in my throat due to its ridiculous thumping. I swallowed down the lump, but it only lodged in more firmly. “Your family is not aware of what transpired between us just before you left Bath, are they?”

The corners of his mouth twitched. “What exactly did transpire between us, Miss Godwin?”

My whole body grew hot and my face pinked from his apparent amusement. “You very well know what—”

“Are the two of you coming?” Ruth stepped back into the doorway, and I startled, clasping a hand over my chest. “Is something amiss, Bella?”

I took to clearing my throat. “No. Not in the least.”

Ruth’s gaze flitted to Augustus and his shameless grin. “Forgive me if I interrupted you. I thought you two were right behind me, so I was talking endlessly to no one but your butler.” She glanced behind her into the entry hall. “And one of your maids.”

I stepped with her through the threshold. “What is it you were saying?”

“Oh, nothing really.” She swatted at the air between us. “I was simply waffling on again. You know how I have a tendency for such things.”

I glanced over at Ruth, suddenly overcome by the realization that Ruth was here with me. I took hold of her arm, not wishing to conceal my delight. “I adore your waffling,” I said, pulling her close.

“I am relieved to hear it. Though you must promise to inform me if your opinion changes on the matter.”

“What a thing to say. As though I could ever tire of you.” I noticed Leah awaiting my directions on the lowest step. “Come along, Leah.”

“Yes, miss.” She moved to step and thudded onto her foot, apparently forgetting the stair between her and the ground level.

“Careful there.” Augustus reached out to steady her by the arm as she teetered forward.

Her cheeks were ablaze as she took in Augustus’s handsome face. “Forgive me, sir.”

Augustus gestured for her to go on ahead. “We all misstep from time to time.”

The lovely pink of her cheeks instantly made me regret Mother’s recent hire. There was no need to have such a young, pretty thing for a lady’s maid. “Make haste, Leah,” I said, unable to curb the harshness in my voice. “And do be more careful. You shall be of no use to me if you break an arm.” I nearly winced at how much I had sounded like Mother.

Leah’s shoulders caved and her eyes dropped to the floor before she hurried out the door ahead of me.

I offered my curious onlookers a tight smile knowing it would do me no good to appear distressed by my overreaction. “Shall we?”

With only a touch of hesitancy, Ruth stepped through the door, but Augustus looked behind him in the direction where Papa had disappeared. “I suppose we must.”

Chapter Three

I glanced around for Augustus’s horse, desperate to discover it was saddled and waiting nearby. There was no horse. “Do you not intend to ride, Mr. Brundage?”

He stepped to my side but did not look at me. “I did not bring a horse with me to Town. I hope it is not disagreeable that I shall be riding in the coach also.” His words were friendly enough, but his tone was distant as he offered his hand to assist me inside.

My stomach clenched at the thought of hours in his company, especially after my unkindness toward Leah. “It is not disagreeable in the least.” I lightly placed my hand in his before ascending into the carriage. When he removed his support, I brushed my fingers against my traveling dress to diffuse the sensation of his touch and took the seat across from Leah. I thought to smile at her, but she did not look up.

“Is it not a most pleasant day for travelling?” Ruth asked, ducking her head as she entered the carriage. “I admit I have a small inclination to worry, and I thought of all the ways our travels might be ruined, yet I’m beginning to believe I fretted in vain.”

Had she not yet realized her cousin’s intentions to ride with us as I had?

Ruth gathered her skirts from behind her and positioned herself on the rear-facing seat next to Leah. “Hopefully tomorrow will prove equally amiable for the remainder of our journey.”

I patted the seat next to me. “Will you not sit here?”