Page 98 of A Well-Trained Lady

I forced a smile to my lips. “You do me a great honor.”

Lord Thorton laughed. “You needn’t sound so formal about it. I’m asking him for your hand because I wish to marry you. We will make a good match, and heaven knows it’s high time I settled down.”

Despite Lord Thorton’s reasonings being identical to my own, my stomach dropped.

He closed the space between us, placing a hand on my waist. “Are you pleased?”

My head spun, and I placed my hands on his arms to steady myself. “Exceptionally,” I lied, my chest rising and falling, but not from longing.

He glanced down at my hands grasping his waistcoat sleeves. “I feel the same.” Before I had time to prepare myself, he pulled me forward, pressing his lips roughly against mine. My breath hitched, and I stiffened, causing him to pull back briefly, a look of utter amusement on his face. “It seems not all the rumors are true.”

I knew his meaning, but I could not bring myself to tell him that despite all my offers and my reputation, I’d only ever been kissed by one man. A man whose kiss felt nothing like his.

He stepped close again. “Do not worry. I will be gentler now that I’m aware of your innocence.”

My lip quivered, but what choice did I have? I could not leave now and risk everything. I closed my eyes as he drew close, attempting to soften my lips as his met mine. His mouth moved in some sort of rhythm, and I attempted to follow his movements, counting the seconds until he released me again.

He looked down at me, a wicked smile on his lips. “I believe you will suit me just fine.”

I stilled. “I should go check on Ruth.”

“Don’t be too hasty in your pursuit; they could be finding their own enjoyment.”

Bile rose in my throat. Without a backward glance, I left Lord Thorton. “Ruth?” I searched where she had been only minutes before. “Ruth?” I attempted to keep my voice calm, though my pulse was accelerating. Why had I ever left her?

“Has Miss Seton come this way?” I asked a few members of our group that were still working their way down the bushes. They all shook their heads.

I scanned the area again, wondering which direction to continue my search when I caught sight of Augustus walking toward us with Lady Beatrice on his arm.

“See there, everyone is still picking berries just as I said they would be.” Lady Beatrice gave a pleased smile. “I do hope you left some for us, Miss Godwin,” she called, when she caught sight of me.

Panic rose within me. I had assured Augustus I’d keep her safe, and yet I had no idea where she was.

“Where is Ruth?” he called, dropping his arm from Lady Beatrice’s grasp and hastening toward me.

The accusation in his voice was nearly too much to endure in my current state, and I blinked away the tears that blurred my eyes. “I’m sure she is not far. She was right here only a moment ago.”

Augustus’s posture went rigid, and his eyes swept the hedges. “Ruth!” he called, stepping around me.

Lord Thorton approached us. “They have likely just gone in search of strawberries. There is no need to overreact.”

“Ruth!” Augustus moved forward with increased determination, attracting the gawking stares of some of the other berry pickers.

Hesitantly, I lifted my skirts and followed.

He pressed through a narrow divide in the hedge. “Ruth!” he called, from the other side.

Taking hold of my bonnet and lowering my chin, I pushed through after him, the thorns taking hold of my day dress. Despite the snags it would cause, I forced my way through. “She could not have gotten far. We only left her for a moment.”

He spun toward me. “You said you’d keep an eye on her. You said I could trust you, and yet you left her. Why?” My face flushed red, his expression shifting from bewilderment to anger. His jaw tightened and his teeth clenched. “Do not tell me it was for a rendezvous in the bushes to further along your suit?”

I drew in a shuddered breath. “It was only a moment.”

He shook his head. “What kind of friend are you?” A tear escaped onto my cheek, but Augustus turned from me, jogging forward. “Ruth!”

Lady Beatrice muttered under her breath, pressing through the same bush Augustus and I had gone through. “Wretched plants,” she hissed, smoothing out her skirts. “I have just snagged one of my best dresses.”

I started forward again.