Page 100 of A Well-Trained Lady

Ruth’s breath halted as though in anticipation of the answer, or perhaps in response to the hurt Augustus’s words had caused. I held her tighter, compensating for my own unsteadiness.

Mr. Green’s eyes lingered on Ruth a moment before he lowered his gaze, his silence louder than anything.

Augustus moved toward us, his focus locked on Ruth. “Let’s go home,” he whispered, holding his hand out for her.

With one uncertain glance at me, she left me and sunk into his embrace.

I looked to where Lady Beatrice had been, only to find her retreating figure nearly at the hedges. She was likely eager to tell the others of the encounter before I could swear her to silence. Wretched gossip.

Lord Thorton had a hand on Mr. Green’s shoulder. “Miss Godwin, go now, and I will be along shortly.”

Attempting to not show my relief at his command, I started toward the hedge. When I had made it to the other side and out of view of Lord Thorton, I hurried to rejoin Augustus and Ruth. “Wait, please,” I called when I was only a few paces behind.

Augustus paused but did not look back at me.

My breathing was heavy as I drew up next to them, Ruth’s tear-stained face wrenching at my gut. “I am so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”

Augustus started forward again, and I took hold of his arm, stopping him. “Please. Let me try to make amends.”

“How could you possibly undo this damage, Bella?” All the warmth was gone from his eyes.

Ruth released a quivering breath. “This is not Bella’s fault.”

“No. The blame is mine.” Augustus met my gaze. “Bella attempted to warn me against the type of woman she truly was, and I refused to believe her.”

My heart shattered, the pain of it surging through my entire being.

“What do you mean?” Ruth’s voice hitched.

A tear rolled down my cheek. “I was the one who told Mr. Green that you were an heiress.”

Ruth’s brown eyes grew wide with understanding.

I wanted to shrink away, but in desperation, I took hold of her hand. “My reasonings were misguided, but I assure you they were not ill-intentioned.”

The hurt in Ruth’s features did not lessen, and she pulled her hand from me. “Augi, I want to go home,” she whispered.

Augustus nodded, leading her forward again, but I did not have the strength to follow this time. I watched, motionless, until they disappeared. My legs trembled beneath me, and I looked around for somewhere to take cover. A large tree near the bank of the lake caught my attention. With its massive trunk and the overgrown bushes surrounding it, it seemed an adequate spot for privacy. I staggered my way to it, arriving just as my strength gave out, and crumpled to the ground, sobbing.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Where in the heavens have you been, child?” Mother scanned my dirtied dress and red, blotchy face. She drew closer, so as not to be overheard. “And why do you look so unkempt?”

I glanced around to find the picnic area emptied and the guests loading into carriages. Had Lady Beatrice not shared the scandal with everyone as I’d expected, or had the rumors simply not yet met Mother’s ears? “Ruth and Augustus are leaving,” I said, flatly.

“They already have. I saw them load into their carriage well over an hour ago.”

I nodded, my heart sinking at the confirmation.

Mother’s eyes narrowed. “Do you mean they are removing from Branbury?”

I gave a second nod, this one even slower.

Mother took hold of my arm, pulling me a tad farther from the curious gazes directed at us from the carriage windows. “What happened?”

“Mr. Green attempted to get Ruth in a compromising situation. Apparently he believed …” My voice quivered, unable to confess my folly to Mother.

“That she was an heiress?”