A Lady by Midnight (Spindle Cove #3)(62)

“My intentions were decent.”

“Please.” She jabbed a finger in the center of his chest. “You betrayed me, Thorne. You lied to me. You can’t fathom how to love me. I am not marrying you. Not today. Not ever.”

He exhaled slowly.

Not ever.

Once a woman made her wishes that clear, a man would be a villain to keep pursuing her. She understood the risks. She did have friends, if she needed help. If she wanted him out of her life, Thorne would leave it. Today.

“I’m going home to the rooming house now.” She backed away. “Don’t follow me.”

“I’ve arrangements to make in London,” he said. “I’ll leave this morning.”

“Good.” She crossed her arms over her chest, turned and strode off down the pathway. The wind gusting in from the open sea whipped her hair and gown in all directions, but her own path never swerved.

Thorne watched her go—until a high-pitched canine whimper drew his attention.

Badger stood waiting at his heel, tail thumping. The dog whined anxiously as he looked to Miss Taylor’s retreating form, then back to Thorne.

“Go on,” Thorne said, releasing Badger to chase. “Watch over her for me.”

As Kate walked back to the village, she reached a forked pathway. The left-hand path continued into the village, and the right led out to the main road.

She turned right and stared into the distance. Perhaps she should just keep walking—make her way to some other village and start over. She could look for music pupils again, or become a governess. She could board a ship and go anywhere in the world. Surely braving Australia would be easier than sitting down with Lord Drewe and explaining the events of last night.

No, no. She muzzled the irrational voice urging her to flee. Starting over in a strange place wasn’t a prudent idea for a single, unprotected woman.

Ellie Rose, whoever the poor soul was, had probably fostered high hopes of taking her baby and doing just that. And look where she’d ended.

Kate took the left-hand path, trudging toward the Queen’s Ruby in the early light of dawn. She couldn’t stomach any further evasion, deception, or half-truths. It was time to make a clean breast of it with everyone and hope for the best.

As she neared the center of the village, a hiss from an alleyway startled her.

“Kate.”

“Who’s there?”

A figure darted out from the shadows, blanketing her with an immense, dark cloak. The heavy fabric suffocated Kate and she flailed instinctively. She felt attacked.

Oh, what an irony it would be if not twenty minutes after refusing Thorne’s protection, she were kidnapped and held for ransom. He might finally laugh at that.

“Stop struggling,” a voice told her. “Almost have it . . .”

Kate’s head finally emerged through the top of the cloak. She could breathe again. And see.

“Harry?” Stunned, she blinked at the beautiful, unconventional woman she’d come to think of as a cousin.

Harry put her arm around Kate, steering her back onto the street.

“Oh, Miss Taylor!” she proclaimed loudly. “What a lovely walk we’ve had this morning. So invigorating, marching all over the Downlands. The dog enjoyed it, too.”

“What on earth are you talking of?” Kate whispered.

“Just play along,” Harry murmured back, draping the cloak about Kate’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. Unless they see you’re wearing yesterday’s gown, no one will even suspect.”

“No one will suspect what?”

Harry lifted her voice as they neared the Queen’s Ruby entrance. “Really, what a lovely ramble. The weather’s glorious. If I were the sort to gather flowers, I should have plucked dozens.”

As they entered the rooming house, Mrs. Nichols came to greet them. The older woman wore an expression of true concern.

“Oh, Miss Taylor. How good to see you this morning. Are you feeling better, dear?”

Kate stammered. “I—I . . .”

“Of course she’s feeling better.” Harry plucked Badger into her arms. “Just look at those roses on her cheeks. I’ve always said, there’s nothing that a good brisk walk through open country can’t cure.”

Before Kate could even begin to object, a smiling Harry nudged her toward the staircase.

“We’ll just go freshen up for breakfast, Mrs. Nichols. I do hope we’ll be treated to some of your delicious currant bread this morning.”

When they reached the top of the stairs, Harry steered them both to Kate’s bedchamber. She followed Kate inside, set the puppy loose, and flopped dramatically against the closed door.

“There now.” She gave Kate a conspiratorial grin. “That was satisfying. And just as I told you, no one suspects a thing.”

“I don’t understand.” Kate sank onto the edge of her narrow bed. Hers was a small bedchamber, tucked under a far corner of the eaves. The bigger rooms were reserved for the visiting ladies with larger wardrobes and more accommodating purses.

“I lied for you, of course,” Harry said. “I used to do it for Calista all the time. It was obvious enough why neither you nor Thorne showed up at the tavern last night. So when someone remarked on your absence, I volunteered to go check. I told everyone you were wretchedly ill and resting in your room. I even went to the trouble of waking Mrs. Nichols for a headache powder.” Her lips curved in a smug smile. “I’m very good at these things.”