The Lady's Second-Chance Suitor, Scott, Regina [e novels to read online .TXT] 📗

Chapter Two

Hester finished the dance with CaptainCunningham from the encampment at West Creech and allowed him to lead her backto the wall. The dark-haired fellow looked as if he would have liked to linger,but she sat resolutely on the chair and smiled at her mother beside her. Faceflanked by iron-grey curls, her mother raised her brows and regarded her as if sheknew exactly what Hester was about. However, Hester’s gambit worked. After afew attempts at conversation, the officer bowed himself off.

“That was almost rude,” her mother said, voice hinting of ascold.

“That was as kind as I’m capable of being, at the moment,”Hester told her. “The heat is wearing me down. Would you be willing to leaveearlier than we had planned?”

Her mother’s mouth puckered. “Of course, dear. I’m glad webrought the carriage tonight. Let’s collect our wraps and go.”

Hester only found a deep breath once they were seated in thecoach and heading for Upper Grace, a short distance away.

“That was quite the event,” her mother commented, pattingdown her skirts. “I don’t remember the Harvest Ball ever so well attended. Jesslynmust be pleased.”

Hester managed a smile at the mention of her brother’s wife.“She should indeed. Everyone was there.”

Everyone.

She turned her face to the window so her mother couldn’t seeher smile slipping. Why had he returned? What interest could their littlevillages possibly hold for him? And who was the pretty blonde at his side in themuch-too-fine gown? Sweetheart? Wife?

Why did she care?

“Feeling any better?” her mother asked solicitously.

“I’m sure being home will help,” Hester told her.

But it didn’t. She couldn’t even lose herself in herdaughter’s warm embrace. Rebecca was sound asleep, golden curls piled up aroundher face as she lay on her back in her bed, pink lips pursed open.

“Do you think you will be well enough for the fair tomorrow?”her mother asked from where they stood in the doorway of the little room nextto Hester’s.

The Harvest Fair. She’d forgotten her promise to take herdaughter to see the booths and animals. The busy event would be just what Robpreferred.

“I fear not,” Hester said. “Perhaps you and Rebecca could gotogether.”

Her mother’s lips tightened, but she nodded. “I suppose wemust, under the circumstances.”

For a moment, Hester’s stomach fell as surely as a flock ofplovers diving over the Downs. Had her mother guessed? Did she know? But no,the dear lady kissed her cheek as she always did and bade her goodnight beforeretiring to her own rooms at the end of the corridor.

Odd to feel so guilty after all this time. She’d thoughtshe’d put that summer behind her. She shoved any lingering thoughts firmly awaynow and made her way to bed.

Somehow, she slept. She was up early enough to dress Rebecca,then stood in the doorway to wave her daughter and mother away from the houseas the carriage set out for Grace-by-the-Sea, where the fair was being held.Relief flooded her as she went back inside and shut the door, locking away theworld just as she’d once locked away her hopes.

The thought made her stiffen in the entry hall. Rob’sdefection had sent her to her room for days. Her mother had even called thephysician, thinking Hester was sickening. And she couldn’t tell either of themthat what hurt the most was her heart.

She would not allow him to ruin her life again.

It was too late to call back the coach, and she hadn’tridden in years. They had only coach horses now. She was stuck at home andalone, for even their cook, nursery maid, and upstairs maid had been given themorning off to attend the last day of the fair.

Yet, like a shadow, Rob followed her from room to room. Whenshe glanced out the window at the sunshine, she remembered how the rays had streakedhis tawny hair with gold. When she finished sewing a lavender sachet, sheremembered the spicy scent of his cologne when he’d bent closer for a kiss.

She set down her sewing work with a sigh and gave in to thememories. What a pair they’d been that summer. She understood now that he’dbeen looking for fun, attempting to escape his family and the rules of Society.She’d been as willful. Seven years ago, she had just been considered out, andher uncle had been very strict about who she mightsee, which gentleman might claim her hand in a dance.

“You’re a lady, Hester,” he’d say. “I’ll not have thesefellows thinking otherwise.”

She hadn’t understood the dangers he had feared. Ladies mustbe treated a certain way—with respect, deference. Other girls seemed to havemore fun.

Rosemary certainly did. Their uncle made no pretense ofthinking her someone set on a shelf, too precious for conversation. He’d commissioneda special gown and boots for her so she could follow him all over the area inhis search for ancient plants and animals. Rosemary might hike up her skirtsand clamber down cliffs. She could spend hours in the sun without being scoldedfor forgetting her bonnet. Why must Hester only escape the house in thecarriage for church?

So, one day, she’d slipped out on her own. She’d told Robshe had climbed out her bedroom window, but that had been as much a fabricationas the name she’d given him. The truth was, her mother had been out shopping,her uncle and Rosemary at their studies. Hester had waited until the cook wasbusy in the pantry, then edged out the kitchen door and circled the block forthe main street of the village.

But of course, nearly everyone along that street knew her family.Even if she avoided her mother, the shopkeepers might remark on seeing heralone, with not even a maid in attendance. Head high, she’d strolled out alongthe Downs instead, relishing the sun and the breeze that hinted of the seashoreonly a mile away. She could walk to the shore. She could walk to the spa. Shecould go anywhere she wanted. The idea was heady.

Voices behind her warned her she had company. Turning, she’dspotted a group of young men not far behind her. Like a pack of puppies, theyseemed to be tumbling over each other, laughing, joking, teasing. Her mouthturned