Page 61 of A Well-Trained Lady

I shook my head, frantically searching the ground at my side as though it held the inconceivable answer of how to proceed. “It could never work between us. My parents would not allow for it, and I … well, I have plans, Augustus. You cannot simply stroll back into my life and disrupt everything I have worked for.”

With one final step, he closed the space between us, and my whole being went into turmoil—my heart and my head both battling for control. His fingertips brushed down my arms, and I shut my eyes in an attempt to close myself off from the pleasurable sensation, but instead it was only magnified. Then one of his hands moved to my neck. His thumb stroked my cheek, and I opened my eyes to find his face only a breath from mine. Instinctively I tilted my chin upward. I needed to pull away, and yet I longed to draw closer, to again feel his lips on mine. I leaned in.

“Oh, heavens! Forgive me.” Mrs. Brundage’s quiet exclamation pierced through the silence around us, and I shoved myself out of Augustus’s embrace. The shocked expression of Mrs. Brundage gaped at us from the doorway—her arm lifted as though preventing someone at her side from seeing what she had.

“What is it?” Ruth asked, peeking around her aunt’s outstretched arm. Her eyes fell on Augustus then moved to me and my horrifyingly red face. “What were the two of you doing in Bella’s bedroom alone? Was this another one of your assessments?”

Mrs. Brundage’s confused expression lingered on Ruth then moved back to us.

“No,” Augustus said, appearing utterly unaffected. “I was simply aiding Bella with her injured finger, and she wished to thank me.”

I looked at Augustus in disbelief, giving a swift shake of my head. “That is not true. I would not kiss him for such a trivial thing as that.”

Ruth’s mouth gaped open, and she tugged Sarah into view, apparently feeling it necessary for all parties present to witness the mortifying scene. “The two of you were kissing just now?” Ruth asked, delighted.

“No.” I directed my imploring gaze to Augustus, but the smirk that dominated his lips made it apparent he would be of no help to me. “We had not actually kissed … yet. Nor would we have … most likely.” I cringed at my own blabbering explanation, realizing it was doing little to improve upon the situation.

Mrs. Brundage held a hand over her mouth, and my stomach clenched, waiting to see if she would break down in tears or scold us for our scandalous act. But, instead, laughter sounded through her fingers. “It seems I must keep a better watch on the two of you. If I had known I was supposed to be playing chaperone, I would have done a more thorough job of it from the start.”

Augustus smiled. “Oh, do not be hard on yourself, Mother. We did not mind your negligence in the least.” He looked toward me. “Did we, Bella?”

All eyes settled on me, and a second wave of heat moved through my face. “I believe the answer is quite obvious at this moment.”

Mrs. Brundage pursed her lips, making Ruth and Sarah giggle.

“Well”—Augustus gave a loud clap of his hands and rubbed them together—“was your impeccable timing no more than cruel fate or was there a particular reason for it?”

Mrs. Brundage glanced toward my hand. “The girls told me of Miss Godwin’s embroidery incident. We were simply coming to check that all was well.”

I lifted my bandaged finger. The only evidence of any bleeding was a small spot of red that had seeped through the linen. “Good as new.”

Ruth slipped through the doorway to take a place at my side. “I am so relieved. I could not believe how much blood there was. I’m not certain I shall ever be able to embroider again, knowing what the consequence could be.”

I dipped my chin. “I assure you, in all my years of needlework, I have never done such a careless thing before.”

Ruth nodded, hardly looking reassured.

“Oh, that is the other thing,” Mrs. Brundage said, holding out a missive for Augustus. “Owen has written to you.”

Augustus took hold of the letter and broke the seal. As he unfolded it, a smaller missive dropped to the floor, and he quickly retrieved it, tucking it into his waistcoat pocket. He scanned the contents of the letter, his brow furrowing as he continued.

“What is it?” Mrs. Brundage asked, equally aware of the change in Augustus’s countenance.

His eyes were full of disappointment when they met mine. “It seems I must leave without delay.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Leave?” Mrs. Brundage asked. “For what purpose?”

I watched intently as Augustus released a heavy breath, his gaze returning to the letter in hand. “Owen has uncovered evidence that could potentially affect the Setons’ case.”

“What evidence?” Ruth’s voice was subdued.

Augustus tilted his head to one side, hesitation evident in his features. “If I discover there is something to tell you, I will.”

Ruth bit at her lip. “But only if it is good news.”

“Of course.”