Page 84

She shook her head. “I shall assist Lady Telford back to the entrance hall. There is sure to be someone there who will fetch my family members for me.”

“Will you return home, then?” he asked.

“Yes.” She offered him a small smile. “I fear we shall have to postpone our dance for another time.”

Her show of bravery caused his throat to tighten. Or perhaps the knowledge that there would likely never be another opportunity for them to dance together was behind the sensation. Whatever it was, he knew that he must finish the conversation he had begun a few minutes earlier.

“May I visit you at your home tomorrow? There is something that I must speak to you about.”

She cocked her head to one side and studied him curiously. “Of course.”

“Ross!” Jealous called. “As much as I hate to admit it, I cannot haul Grimsby all the way to the carriage on my own.”

“Go!” Hannah urged. “The threat to our safety is over. Lady Telford and I can manage the walk to the entrance hall unaided.”

Silently praying that the poor lighting would hide any outward indications of his internal anguish, Samuel inclined his head. “Until tomorrow,” he said. And then, with long strides, he made for the french doors and the terrace beyond.

Hannah led Lady Telford down the passageway toward the entrance hall. Her ladyship had accepted Hannah’s arm and was leaning upon it quite heavily, but she had said nothing since they’d left the library. She was undoubtedly as relieved as Hannah was to be quitting the place. In fact, given how much the older lady’s hand was currently trembling, Hannah thought it extremely unlikely that she would deign enter the room again until her servants had replaced the damaged chairs and put everything else to rights.

“What is your butler’s name, my lady?” Hannah asked.

“Markham,” Lady Telford said, breaking her silence. “He has been with me for years, and when he learns what has happened, he will know what to do.”

Her response was exactly what Hannah had hoped for. It was entirely possible that if Markham knew which servants could be trusted to discretely assist their mistress, most of Lady Telford’s guests would leave Telford House at the end of the night blissfully unaware of how close they had been to violence of the worst kind.

“May I call him for you?” Hannah asked.

“If you would be so kind.” Now that the crisis was over, Lady Telford’s vigor was fading at a rather alarming rate. “The last door on the left leads to my private parlor. I believe it would be best if I waited there.” It was obvious that in her present condition, Lady Telford had no desire to encounter any more of her guests.

The parlor door was ajar. Hannah pushed it open, grateful to see that a small fire still burned in the fireplace, and a candle flickered on either side of the mantel. She guided Lady Telford to an armchair upholstered in yellow fabric.

“This will do nicely,” the older lady said.

Hannah waited until her ladyship was seated. “I shall go for Mark­ham,” Hannah said. “But before I leave, is there anything more that I can do for you?”

“I should say not,” Lady Telford said. “I have servants enough to see to my needs, and my daughter is well able to stand in as hostess at the ball. You have already done more than enough.” She paused. “I am sure you would agree that it was extremely forward of Sir John to enter my home uninvited, but given the circumstances, I felt it my duty to thank him for his men’s intervention. Nevertheless, you are the one who truly deserves my approbation. Had you not come looking for me when you did, heaven knows what would have happened.” She reached for Hannah’s hand and squeezed it. “I am in your debt, Miss Dennington.”

“I am very grateful that you were not severely injured, my lady.”

“Yes, indeed.” She leaned back in the chair. “I daresay that when my trembling has subsided, I shall be extremely vexed at the damage done to the library. For now, however, I believe I shall focus exclusively upon the merits of drinking a cup of tea in the quiet of my parlor with no gentlemen or pistols in sight.”

Hannah managed a smile. Perhaps Lady Telford’s mettlesome spirit was not so fully quashed after all. “If that is the case, I shall seek out my father and sisters.”

“You are ready to return home, I daresay,” Lady Telford said.

“Yes, my lady.”

“I understand. And your family members will leave with you?” she asked.

“I believe so, my lady.”

She nodded. “As they should. Tell them that you must have quiet and a cup of tea immediately upon your arrival there.”

Peaceful surroundings was one thing, but given that images of Grimsby’s leer and cruel eyes would likely haunt her for some time, Hannah had no wish to have time alone. It had been more difficult than she cared to admit to encourage Samuel to leave with Sir John. He was the one she wanted beside her as today’s trauma turned to vivid memories, but being in her sisters’ company would be a comfort, at least.

“I am sure that Sophia and Elinor will take good care of me,” she said.

“I am glad to hear it.” Lady Telford closed her eyes. “Fetch Mark­ham, if you would, Miss Dennington.”