Page 26
Story: An Improbable Scheme (Courting the Unconventional #1)
The question hung in the air like a challenge, and for a moment, Elsbeth found herself unable to respond. Why had Niles agreed to help her? He had no obligation, no reason to involve himself in her troubles. And yet, he had.
Her mind flitted to the moments they had shared.
The teasing banter. The genuine concern in his eyes.
The quiet support he offered when she felt like the world was against her.
A flicker of doubt surfaced. Could his motives be more than just a sense of duty?
Or worse, was she allowing herself to see more than what was truly there?
Clara interrupted her thoughts. “Forgive me, my lady. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
Elsbeth forced a small smile, her heart a confusing tangle of emotions. “You didn’t overstep,” she assured her. “I suppose I haven’t given it much thought.”
Clara’s eyes filled with a quiet understanding. “Perhaps it’s worth thinking about, my lady.”
Yes.
It was most definitely worth thinking about.
With golden streams of the morning sunlight flooding the manor, Niles descended the stairs. He barely reached the entry hall when a sharp knock echoed through the manor. The butler moved to answer, revealing Elsbeth on the threshold.
She stepped inside, looking radiant in a pale pink gown that complemented her olive complexion, her hair arranged in an intricate chignon that framed her face perfectly. The early hour didn’t diminish her beauty but only seemed to enhance it.
Niles inclined his head in greeting. “Elsbeth.”
She dropped into a graceful curtsy. “Niles,” she replied, her tone more formal than usual.
“What brings you here so early?”
Her expression grew serious as she approached, her reticule dangling lightly from her wrist. “I came to visit Lady Margaret,” she said.
“But I was hoping to speak to you as well.” Reaching into the small bag, she retrieved his pocket watch.
“This is yours. I am sorry it has taken me so long to return it.”
Niles took the pocket watch, its familiar weight settling in his palm. He stared at it for a moment, then back at her. Without thinking, he said, “Keep it.” The words tumbled out before he could reconsider.
Elsbeth blinked, clearly startled. “Pardon?”
“I want you to have it,” he said, surprising even himself.
Her brows knitted in confusion. “But this watch… it means so much to you.”
“It does,” Niles admitted. His voice lowered as he added, “But so do you.”
Her eyes widened. “What are you saying?”
He hesitated, the vulnerability of his own words catching him off guard. “I’m saying I want you to have something to remember me by,” he said, extending the watch towards her. “Please, take it.”
She looked down at the watch, uncertainty flickering across her face. “Are you certain?”
“I am. ”
Elsbeth tentatively reached out and accepted the watch, clutching it close to her chest. “I promise I will treasure this always.”
He smiled. “I’m glad. I’ve enjoyed our time together, more than I can say.”
A shadow passed over her features. “Charles wants me to leave with him to his estate after my mother’s soiree.”
Niles stiffened. “Absolutely not,” he said, his voice rising. “That man tried to shoot you and may have poisoned you.”
Elsbeth shook her head, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “The shooting was an accident, and I don’t believe he poisoned me. Charles is not a threat.”
“I disagree,” Niles said, his frustration bubbling to the surface. He raked a hand through his hair. “I can’t let you go with him. What if something happens to you?”
“What do you propose I do?”
Without thinking, his next words slipped out. “Come with me to my estate.”
She frowned. “What are you saying?”
“You’d be safe there,” he insisted, stepping closer. “I can take you far away from your stepfather, from this village.”
“And what of my mother?” she countered, crossing her arms.
“She could visit whenever she wishes,” Niles replied, though he could sense her hesitation. “It’s the best solution.”
Elsbeth’s frown deepened. “Do you not realize how improper that would be? My reputation is already in ruins. I cannot travel with you without scandal.”
“That’s why I would hire you as Eugenie’s companion,” he blurted.
Her face fell, and the hurt in her eyes was immediate. “You want to hire me?” she repeated, her voice soft and pained. “Do you think so little of me? ”
Niles reached out instinctively, but she stepped out of his reach. “Elsbeth, I didn’t mean it like that?—”
“But that’s what you said,” she interrupted, her voice trembling. “I have a dowry of fifteen thousand pounds. I am not destitute.”
He felt his heart drop. “I know that. I just want to keep you safe.”
Elsbeth’s lips tightened as she stepped closer, pressing the pocket watch back into his hand. “You may keep this, my lord. I don’t want it. Not anymore.”
“Elsbeth—”
She silenced him with a raised hand, her tone firm. “I thought we were friends, but I see now I was wrong. You’re no different than my so-called friends who abandoned me when scandal touched my name.”
Before he could say anything more, she turned on her heel and strode out of the manor, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hall.
Niles stood there, stunned and furious with himself. He wanted to run after her, to explain, to beg for forgiveness, but something stopped him. He needed to give her space, even if every instinct screamed for him to follow.
“Was that Elsbeth?” Eugenie’s voice cut through the heavy silence behind him.
Niles barely turned his head. “It was.”
“Then where is she now?”
“She left,” he answered, his tone short and clipped. He hoped his sister would take the hint and let the matter drop. But Eugenie was never one to back down.
Her voice shifted to an accusatory tone. “What did you say to her?”
He sighed. “Why do you automatically assume I said something? ”
Eugenie stepped around him, her piercing gaze locking on to his. “Because Elsbeth didn’t stay long enough to exchange pleasantries, which means you likely gave her a reason to leave.”
“I didn’t—” Niles began, but Eugenie’s sharp glance cut him off.
Her eyes darted to his hand, and her brow furrowed. “Where did you find your pocket watch?”
He held up the object in question. “Elsbeth found it and returned it to me.”
“That was kind of her,” Eugenie acknowledged with a nod. “And you thanked her by insulting her, didn’t you?”
Niles groaned in frustration. “Must we do this now? I haven’t even had breakfast.”
Eugenie planted her hands on her hips, her expression unrelenting. “Yes, now. Because I’ll keep pestering you until you tell me what happened.” Her tone carried the kind of determination he knew all too well.
Realizing there was no escaping her interrogation, he decided to relent. “Fine. I may have suggested that Elsbeth accompany us to our estate… as your companion.”
Eugenie swatted his arm. “Are you mad?” she demanded. “Elsbeth is the daughter of an earl, Niles! She does not need an income.”
“It was a practical suggestion,” he defended weakly, though even to his ears, it sounded absurd.
“Practical?” Eugenie repeated. “Practical for whom? You might as well have told her she was unworthy of her station!”
“That wasn’t my intention,” Niles protested, though his guilt was growing heavier by the second.
“Intentions mean nothing when your words do the damage,” Eugenie retorted. “Do you even understand how insulting that must have sounded to her? ”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was trying to help her. To keep her safe.”
Eugenie shook her head in disbelief. “Safe? Niles, you’ve likely hurt her more with your thoughtless offer than any danger she’s facing at her stepfather’s manor.”
“I just wanted—” he started, but Eugenie cut him off again.
“I know what you wanted,” she said. “But you went about it in the worst way imaginable.”
He met his sister’s gaze, frustration and regret warring within him. “So what do you suggest I do?”
Eugenie tilted her head. “Fix it, of course. Apologize. Explain yourself. And maybe this time, use that charm everyone seems to think you have.”
“All right. I’ll make it right.”
Eugenie’s lips curved into a small smile. “Good. Because Elsbeth deserves better than your clumsy attempts at kindness.”
As she turned to leave, he called after her. “And how exactly do I fix this?”
Eugenie glanced over her shoulder. “You’re a clever man, Brother. Figure it out.”
Left alone in the entry hall, Niles stared down at the pocket watch in his hand. He had made a mess of things, but one thing was certain—he wasn’t going to let it end this way. Not with Elsbeth.
Clenching his jaw, he made a decision. Turning towards the butler, who stood quietly near the wall, Niles commanded, “Bring the coach around. Immediately.”
“Yes, my lord,” the butler replied with a quick bow before hurrying off.
Niles barely had time to turn towards the stairs when a voice from the doorway of the drawing room stopped him in his tracks. “You’re doing the right thing. ”
He turned sharply, startled to see his aunt standing there, a knowing expression on her face.
“How long have you been there?” he asked.
His aunt’s smile was faintly apologetic but didn’t waver. “Long enough to overhear a few things I probably shouldn’t have.” She took a step forward. “Do you truly believe Lord Bedford intends Elsbeth harm?”
“I do.”
Her smile faded entirely, replaced by a look of quiet resolve. “Then you must do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Niles responded.
His aunt’s eyes dropped to the pocket watch in his hand, and she tilted her head in mild curiosity. “How exactly did Elsbeth come to find your pocket watch?”
The lie was on his lips before he could think better of it. “She didn’t say.”
The corners of her mouth twitched with amusement, making it clear she didn’t believe him for a second. “Well,” she said lightly, “it was very thoughtful of her to return it to you.”
“It was,” he replied.
His aunt stepped closer, studying him carefully. “You care for her, don’t you?”
“I don’t want to see her hurt. That’s all,” he said, the words feeling too shallow, too inadequate. Elsbeth meant something to him, but he didn’t quite know what that was at the moment.
His aunt gave him a look that seemed to see right through him. “Be honest with yourself, Niles. Before it’s too late.”
The weight of her words struck him harder than he cared to admit.
Honesty—with himself, with Elsbeth—was a luxury he wasn’t sure he could afford.
There were so many reasons to keep his distance, so many reasons to guard his heart.
But none of them mattered when he thought of her walking away, hurt and vulnerable .
Before he could muster a reply, the butler returned. “The coach is out front, my lord.”
Niles didn’t need to be told twice. “I need to go.”
“Go, then,” his aunt encouraged. “And make things right.”
With quick strides, he made his way to the door, determination sharpening his every step. He walked outside and the crisp morning air bit at his skin. It was time to act. He would do whatever it took to keep Elsbeth safe.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
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- Page 9
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- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26 (Reading here)
- Page 27
- Page 28
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- Page 43