Page 32
Story: An Improbable Scheme (Courting the Unconventional #1)
“We can’t keep tiptoeing around this,” Niles said. “The more he feels cornered, the more dangerous he might become.”
“I understand the risk,” she responded. “But I also can’t stop now. If Alfred knows something about my father’s death, I need to uncover the truth—no matter the cost.”
Charles gave her an exasperated look. “And what happens if that cost is your life, Cousin?”
Her eyes flickered between Charles and Niles, her determination unshaken. “Then it’s a price I’m willing to pay,” she responded.
Both men exchanged a look, one filled with shared concern and frustration.
Niles broke the silence. “If we’re going to proceed, we’ll need a better plan. Furthermore, we will need to ensure you’re never alone with Alfred again.”
Elsbeth didn’t argue, but her thoughts swirled with doubt and the relentless need for answers. Whatever Alfred was hiding, she would uncover it. She owed her father—and herself—that much.
Niles sat beside Elsbeth at the long, rectangular dining table, attempting to ignore the irritated glances that Bedford kept throwing his way.
Despite the tension, his attention was drawn to Elsbeth.
She sat silently, absentmindedly moving her food around with her fork, her brow slightly furrowed in thought.
Leaning closer, he lowered his voice so only she could hear. “Are you not hungry?”
Elsbeth placed her fork down and let out a soft sigh. “I will admit that I am not,” she replied. “I suppose I can’t stop thinking about my conversation with my stepfather.”
Before Niles could press further, her mother’s voice interrupted. “A word, Elsbeth,” Lady Isabella said.
“Of course,” Elsbeth replied, rising from her seat.
Niles immediately stood as well and offered his hand, a gesture that earned him a fleeting but appreciative smile from Elsbeth before she followed her mother out of the room.
As Niles returned to his seat, Bedford wasted no time, his words sharp. “Do you not have a home, Westcott?”
“I do,” Niles replied, meeting Bedford’s gaze with calm resolve. “But I think it’s best if I remain here for Elsbeth’s sake.”
Bedford arched an eyebrow, his expression one of thinly veiled disdain. “And why, pray tell, is that necessary?”
“To ensure her safety,” Niles said simply.
Bedford leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. “I am more than capable of handling that myself.”
Niles didn’t miss the challenge in Bedford’s tone. “Do you object to my presence here?”
“I do,” Bedford replied. “I thought that much was obvious.”
Niles allowed a small, knowing smile. “Then it seems I’m exactly where I should be. ”
Bedford’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you care so much, Westcott? Elsbeth means nothing to you.”
“That’s not true,” Niles shot back. “We’re friends.”
“Is that why you agreed to help her?” Bedford demanded, his tone mocking.
“At first,” Niles admitted, leaning back slightly, “I agreed because I was intrigued.”
Bedford scoffed. “Intrigued? So Elsbeth is nothing more than a diversion to you? Someone to occupy your time?”
“No, that’s not—” Niles began, but his words faltered when a familiar voice came from the doorway.
“What would you say then, Lord Westcott?” Elsbeth demanded, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she stepped into the room, her eyes blazing with anger.
Niles shot to his feet. “Elsbeth, please?—”
“Save your breath,” she cut him off. “I heard what you said. Do you even care about me at all, or am I just here to stave off your boredom?”
He took a tentative step towards her, his heart sinking as she took a step back. “Please, let me explain.”
“I don’t think anything you say will change what I heard,” she replied, her voice cracking slightly despite her composed demeanor.
Before he could respond, Elsbeth spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving an uneasy silence in her wake.
Bedford chuckled dryly from his seat. “Well done, Westcott. Let’s see how you manage to talk your way out of this one.”
Niles shot him a glare. “You’re an arse,” he muttered before hurrying after Elsbeth.
He followed her through the corridor and out onto the veranda, his boots echoing against the stone. Elsbeth was standing at the edge, her back to him, her hands gripping the iron railing as if it were the only thing grounding her.
“Elsbeth,” he said softly .
She didn’t turn around. “What do you want, Niles?”
“I want a chance to explain,” he said, his tone earnest as he stepped closer.
Finally, she turned to face him, her eyes defiant. “I heard you. You find me ‘intriguing’, and I’m just here to amuse you.”
He sighed, his heart aching at the hurt in her voice. “I do find you intriguing, Elsbeth. That much is true. How could I not? You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met.” He paused, searching for the right words. “At first, I was curious—fascinated, even. You were a highwaywoman, after all.”
“And that’s the only reason you agreed to help me?” she challenged, her voice rising slightly.
“No,” he said firmly, his gaze holding hers. “There were many reasons. One of them was to ensure you didn’t get yourself killed.”
“So, it was just a matter of honor for you?” she pressed.
“Perhaps at first,” Niles admitted. “But things have changed between us. You can’t deny that, can you?”
She looked away. “I don’t know what to believe.”
He stepped closer, closing the distance between them, and was pleased when she didn’t move away. “You are stubborn. Maddening. Vexing…”
Her brow arched. “Is there a point to this?”
A grin tugged at his lips despite the tension between them.
“Yes, there is a point,” he replied. “You are all those things, Elsbeth. But you are also so much more. You have brought me to life in ways I didn’t realize I needed.
You’ve reminded me there’s more to living than managing accounts and fulfilling duties. I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Her eyes searched his, uncertainty and hope mingling in her expression. “What are you saying, Niles?”
He took a steadying breath, his gaze never leaving hers. “I’m saying that no matter what happens—no matter where this leads—it’s been worth it. Being with you, caring for you, has been worth everything.”
Her lips trembled, and her voice cracked as she said, “It sounds like you’re saying goodbye.”
The words struck him, and he reached for her hand, holding it gently as though she might pull away at any moment. “I’m not leaving, Elsbeth. Not until I know you’re safe. No matter how long that takes, I’ll stay.”
“But you will leave,” she said, slipping her hand out of his grasp. Her tone was soft, but the pain in her voice cut through him.
He frowned. “I have responsibilities at my estate and the House of Lords in London. I never planned on staying here.” He hesitated, his voice lowering. “I also never planned on meeting you.”
She pressed her lips together. “I understand.”
“Do you?” he asked gently, his voice tinged with regret. “Because I don’t think I understand myself. Elsbeth, I care for you more than I should. More than I ever thought possible. You have made me a better man simply because you came into my life.”
Her gaze dropped to the ground. “You are kind, Niles.”
Niles reached out, his fingers brushing against her chin. Slowly, he tilted her face upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Your eyes,” he murmured. “They are like windows to your soul, and I can’t stop looking into them. Do you know why? Because what I see there is so very beautiful.”
Lord Bedford’s voice rang out from behind them, tinged with unmistakable amusement. “Oh, please say I’m interrupting something.”
Niles let out an exasperated sigh, dropping his hand from Elsbeth’s chin and taking a deliberate step back. “What do you want, Bedford?” he grumbled, turning to face him.
Bedford’s lips curved into a self-satisfied smirk. “My aunt requested that I ensure the two of you were properly chaperoned. She seemed rather concerned.”
“Wonderful,” Niles muttered under his breath.
Completely unbothered by Niles’s tone, Bedford turned his attention to Elsbeth. “Your mother asked me to inform you that she is going to the village with Alfred this morning. She’s also requested that you spend your time practicing your pianoforte piece for the soiree.”
Elsbeth looked bothered. “Did she say why she’s going to the village with Alfred?”
“She didn’t, and I didn’t ask,” Bedford replied with a shrug, as though the matter held no significance.
Elsbeth shifted her gaze to Niles, determination lighting up her eyes. “We should follow them. Find out what they’re up to.”
“For what purpose?” Bedford asked, raising a skeptical brow. “They’re probably shopping for ribbons at the haberdashery.”
“And what if they’re not?” Elsbeth countered.
Niles didn’t like where this conversation was headed, and he didn’t like the implication behind her words. “Do you really believe your mother could be involved in Alfred’s secrets?”
“Yes… no… maybe? It would explain why she’s dismissed my concerns so quickly. Why she always defends him,” Elsbeth stated.
Bedford winced, visibly uncomfortable with the idea. “I don’t think Aunt Isabella is capable of such deceit.”
“I don’t want to believe it either, but why else would she insist on accompanying him to the village today?” Elsbeth asked.
Niles saw the uncertainty and pain in Elsbeth’s eyes. He stepped closer to her again, his voice laced with concern. “Elsbeth, are you certain this is a path you want to go down? Investigating your mother could open wounds you might not be ready to face. ”
Her eyes darted between Niles and Bedford before she squared her shoulders. “If there’s even a chance she’s involved, I need to know. For her sake and mine. I can’t keep living with unanswered questions.”
Bedford groaned as he rubbed his temples. “This is madness. I still think you’re reading too much into this, Elsbeth.”
“Perhaps I am, but is it not worth pursuing?” Elsbeth asked. “I was right about my stepfather keeping secrets.”
“But this is not something you want to be right about,” Bedford countered.
Niles saw the determination in Elsbeth’s stance and knew she was not going to back down—not easily, and perhaps not at all. “I think we should travel to the village.”
Bedford’s head snapped towards him, his disbelief written clearly on his face. “Why are you encouraging this nonsense?”
“Because I believe in her,” Niles replied.
Bedford looked heavenward. “Fine. We will all go together, if only to prove that Aunt Isabella has nothing to do with this,” he said, already heading towards the stables. “Let’s get this over with before I lose what little patience I have left.”
As Niles took a step forward, Elsbeth placed a hand on his sleeve, stopping him. “Thank you,” she said. “For believing in me.”
Niles tipped his head slightly, a faint smile on his lips. “Always.”
Table of Contents
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- Page 32 (Reading here)
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