Page 101 of A Well-Trained Lady

“Yes.” My voice was quiet and distant.

“Yes, I heard rumors of your foolish tale.” Mother shook her head. “Though I suppose it’s all for the best.”

I flinched. “All for the best? Ruth’s reputation will likely be marred because of me.” Emotion touched my voice, but I swallowed it down.

“Yes. Quite ironic, really.” Mother gave an amused smirk and glanced behind us. “Now dust yourself off before Lord Thorton returns. We cannot have him believing you’ve been hiding away moping.”

My energy expired, I simply stood there staring at her.

“Arabella,” Mother hissed, motioning to my dress.

I looked down, shaking the loose debris free and plucking off a few stubborn bits with my fingers. The hem was soiled but there was nothing to be done.

“Miss Godwin.” Lord Thorton approached from behind, his eyes skirting over my dress in agitation. “Where have you been? I have been out searching for you for nigh on thirty minutes.”

Mother gave a subtle lift of her brow, making it clear what she expected.

“Forgive me. I got turned around on my way back to the picnic.” I looked down at my ruined dress. “And I took a tumble during my attempts to find my way back.”

Concern touched Lord Thorton’s features, the hard set of his jaw softening. “I forget that a woman is not equal to a man when it comes to navigating out of doors. Forgive me. I should have seen you back safely.”

All I could do was nod.

He released a heavy exhale. “Let us be glad you found your way back. I was returning to organize a search party.”

Several gentlemen waited just outside of the carriages. Had it been me they were waiting on? I suppose I hadn’t thought of the consequence of my absence, but I also hadn’t realized how soon the group had intended to leave or I would have returned sooner. Perhaps we would make it back before Augustus and Ruth could depart Branbury. I brightened a little at the thought, until I realized they would likely not speak to me even if they were still there.

“Are you not glad, Arabella, that a search party was not required?” Mother’s voice sounded distant in my ears.

“Yes.” Mother nodded, pressing me on. “And I am sorry if I caused any of you a scare, my lord.”

“No harm done.” Lord Thorton’s gaze snaked down my figure in a way that made me want to wrap my arms around myself. “Except to your lovely dress, perhaps.”

“Yes. Such a shame.” Mother put a hand behind my back, guiding me forward. “Let us be on our way. I’d hate to keep Lady Thorton waiting on us any longer.”

Lord Thorton stepped into our path. “I was hoping I could have a brief word with your daughter in private, Lady Godwin?”

Mother’s false smile for Lord Thorton faded as her eyes moved to me, relaying her expectations without needing to say a word. “Certainly, my lord,” she said, leaving us to talk.

Lord Thorton faced me, his large frame blocking out the watchful gazes from the carriages lined up behind us. “Miss Godwin, I am sorry for how things turned out with your friends. I did not bring them here to be thus treated. But I must assure you that Mr. Green is the best of men and meant no ill will toward Miss Seton.”

I stared up at him, unblinking. “Best of men? The supposed gentleman who just attempted to take advantage of my dearest friend? That Mr. Green?”

Lord Thorton’s eyes shot to the side. “I can understand that you’re angry,” he whispered. “But Mr. Green swore he meant no harm by his actions. He said he only intended to have a little fun with the girl, seeing how encouraging she had been toward him.”

Rage pumped through me with each racing beat of my heart, and I fisted my hands at my side. “Your friend is a cad.”

Lord Thorton appraised me, then one side of his mouth lifted in a partial smile.

“What about this could you possibly find humorous, my lord?”

He rubbed a hand over his mouth to cover his growing amusement. “Nothing. I assure you I take the accusation of cad very seriously.”

My whole body shook. “If you will excuse me. I cannot tolerate being mocked in my current state.” I moved to step around him, but he took hold of my upper arm.

“Miss Godwin, please.” He looked down at me, pinning me with an obnoxious frown. “I do not mean to make light of the situation. It is just that I’m overjoyed to see the spark in you again.”

I did not respond.