Page 26 of The Lyon and the Lamb

Leo clapped his brother on the shoulder and motioned him to a chair. “I forbid you to tax your brain with it—I’ll explain later. We’re just about to have tea—sit down and behave yourself. Miss Bellamy, if I might trouble you for another cup?”

Belinda exited the room, but not without stealing a further covert glance at the handsome Roland. Araminta rolled her eyes. Belinda had sworn off men after her own ruination and the loss of her child. But the way she’d looked at Roland suggested perhaps she was now on the road to recovery. Catching Leo’s eye, she mouthed the word “help”.

The look he shot back at her promised a great deal more than assistance with keeping his brother away from Belinda. No man had ever made her feel so protected, and yet so exposed at the same time. Her skin erupted in delicious goosebumps.

Only small talk could save her now—that, and a determination not to snag Leo’s gaze again.

She turned to Roland. “How very kind of you to visit. I wonder how you knew where to find us?”

Roland sat forward in his chair. “Oh, Leo usually tells me where he’s going. And if he doesn’t, one of the servants in our London townhouse will know. Since my brother insists on riding everywhere, he always enquires about various inns and hostelries along the route, so he can take a rest or change horses.”

Her face heated. She suddenly realized it must have been Roland who’d been Leo’s companion on that fateful, incredible night. So, he must know what she—what they—had done! Oh, if only the floor would swallow her up!

“I assume you have ridden here yourself, to be so hot on my heels.” Leo was leaning with one elbow on the arm of his chair, a finger across his mouth concealing his smile. His eyes sparkled at his brother.

“It would have taken too long to bring the carriage. I have news that must be imparted immediately.”

To Araminta’s consternation, Roland then glanced at her. So, he did know about their bargain! What would it take to suddenly become invisible?

“A note came for you, Leo. When I saw the seal, I took the liberty of opening it, since I knew its contents would affect us both. No, don’t scowl at me—sometimes I have to make decisions without you. I know that I’m no businessman, but I understand the contents full well.”

Roland’s chest expanded and he lifted his chin, ensuring all eyes were upon him. “Each one of your cargoes of cotton has arrived—safe and sound. You can unmortgage the house, or whatever it was you did to finance the expedition. You can save the orphanage from Pargeter. I thought you needed to know that as soon as possible.”

He glanced at Araminta again, and the air was sucked out of her lungs as she realized what was coming next—the demolition of all her hopes.

No. Don’t say it. Please, not now. Not yet.

Roland cleared his throat. “Forgive me, Lady Lamb, but I thought my brother ought to know that there’s no longer any need for him to marry one of Bessie Dove-Lyon’s heiresses.”

Before Araminta could respond, Belinda spoke from the doorway where she had suddenly halted. “You mean, there’ll be no marriage? There isn’t going to be a baby? But I was so hoping for a baby!” Her mouth was wide with shock.

Araminta immediately rose and put her arm around her sister’s shoulders. Neither of the gentlemen present could understand Belinda’s pain. Well, perhaps Leo could, having suffered himself, but Roland was completely oblivious. He’d risen the instant Belinda entered the room, and now looked thoroughly wretched, even though he must have no idea of the full extent to which his news had upset her.

The maid, Charlotte, bustled in with the tea tray at that point, and the room descended into an awkward silence. As soon as the servant retreated, Leo jumped to his feet and caught his brother by the elbow.

“I told you he was a complete reprobate, didn’t I?” He bowed to Araminta and seized her hand. “Before he does any further damage, I shall take him away to the nearest hostelry. When he’s calmed down, and I’ve taught him how not to put his foot in it at every turn—if that’s even possible—I’ll be back.”

After bestowing a brief kiss upon the back of Araminta’s hand, he bade Belinda farewell and hustled his brother out of the room.

The Honorable Roland barely had time to say to utter the words “I say,” and “lovely to meet you ladies” before being swept from view. Araminta heard Leo’s furious command, “Get your hat and coat, you complete idiot!” before the slam of the front door announced their departure.

Dazed, she drifted across to the window and watched as a fine chestnut stallion was brought around from the stables. Mr. Chetwynd’s mount hadn’t even made it that far, but the groom relinquished it to him with more deference than he deserved.

Belinda joined her at the window. “They are leaving already? Was it something we said?”

“No. It was something the Mr. Chetwynd said.”

She must pull herself together. Belinda was troubled—it was time to put her fear aside and comfort her sister.

“Come, my dear.” It took every sinew of her being to appear calm. Just when they’d been so close to an understanding, a solution! Would either gentleman ever come back, now they had no need?

“I’m sure we have done no harm,” she managed, her voice sounding stronger. “All the gentlemen need is a conversation in private, as gentlemen always do when there are business matters to discuss. They don’t wish to confound or bore the ladies with such things—even though some of us are perfectly capable. Never mind—I’m certain they’ll let us know the outcome, should it affect us in any way. In the meantime, how long ago was breakfast? Are you not famished? We should eat.”

“I’ll go and find Cook, shall I, and hope she has something in the larder? We didn’t give her much notice, did we? There’s bound to be some preserves in the cellar, and smoked ham or some such—I’ll help her look.”

Belinda was happily distracted. For now, at any rate.

Araminta turned her back on the window and the tempting sight of Leo cantering away on his stallion. It was astonishing how empty the house felt without him in it—he had as much presence as Horatio once had, but she responded to Leo’s in a very different way.