Page 39 of A Well-Trained Lady

My blush was immediate and entirely unreasonable. I had conquered nearly every visible reaction except this one, and each encounter with Augustus made my desire to triumph over the vexing response even stronger. “Do you suppose it will rain?” I asked, glancing at the sky for distraction.

Augustus looked to the blue, cloudless sky. “I think not. Though I suppose it is always a possibility—a very unlikely possibility.”

I drew near and placed my hand in the crook of his elbow. “Then let us not delay.” Augustus glanced back to the house, and my gaze followed his. “Do you fear someone at Fairhaven will witness our scandalous meeting and force us into matrimony?” I offered a small laugh to cover my nerves.

His eyes settled back on me. “No. Unfortunately not.”

“Come then, Augustus,” I said, to remind him of our agreement. “Will you not show me one of the footpaths I glimpsed at the edge of the grounds?”

He scanned my features. “If you are certain.”

I stepped off the pebbled walkway, causing him to follow. “I am absolutely certain.”

We did not speak as we sauntered down a narrow footpath, and more than once I thought to release Augustus’s escort so we would not have to walk so close together, but I did not.

“It’s not much further,” Augustus said, pausing to assist me over a lifted root.

I glanced at his profile. “What is not much further?”

“Since the opportunity has arisen, there is something I’ve been wanting to show you.”

As we rounded the next bend, our path met with another, wider one.

He guided us onto it. “This way.”

“I know that look. What are you up to?”

“You will see in just a moment.”

As we continued on, the earth on both sides of the lane rose upward until we were walking entirely below the surface level. An occasional root was visible above, protruding from the wall of dirt and ferns. I paused and released his arm to take in the enchanting scene. When I turned toward him, he was watching me. “This is a holloway, is it not?”

Augustus nodded, a pleased expression on his face.

“You used to speak of them. How they were formed by people travelling the same paths for so long the ground sank under the weight of it.” I glanced around again, riveted by the delightful scene before me. The trees high above covered the path in a protective canopy, allowing only slivers of sunlight to reach us so far below. “It is magnificent.”

“I thought you’d appreciate the experience after having endured my inadequate explanations for so long.”

I smiled up at him. “Very much. Thank you.”

He released a slow exhale. “Are you going to ask me your question now?”

Unprepared for his directness, I dipped my head to conceal my coloring cheeks beneath my bonnet. “How do you know I have something to ask you?”

“Though the old Bella wouldn’t have hesitated at the opportunity to traipse about the woods with me unaccompanied, I’m nearly certain the new one would find such a thing entirely inconsistent with her training—only neglecting such propriety for a greater purpose.”

I opened my mouth, but having no defense to offer, I closed it again.

Augustus took a step nearer, causing my breath to catch. “Come now. Friends must trust one another.”

“Very well.” I drew in a fortifying breath. “Who was it that prevented you from contacting me?”

He gave a slow nod, as though he had expected the question. “I will tell you, as I believe you deserve to know, but you must be aware that I was not only forbidden to speak of it years ago, but I was reminded of my agreement just before your visit. Breaking my word is not a choice I make lightly, especially considering your parents’ willingness to allow you for a visit.”

My chest tightened, and I could not be certain whether it was due to his revelation or the reminder that he knew nothing of Mother’s ignorance regarding my stay at Fairhaven. “So, it was my parents who prevented you?”

“It was your mother who laid out the demand, though your father was present also.”

With his confirmation, my mind filled with a slew of questions, and I wasn’t certain which to ask first. “What threat could my mother possibly have imparted that would keep you from me?”