Page 9 of The Truth about the Lady (Whispers of the Ton #6)

CHAPTER EIGHT

“ O h, I do not know what to think when it comes to Lord Thorne!”

Lady Eve smiled indulgently as Hyacinth walked up and down the drawing room, her whole being burning with what felt like righteous anger.

“One moment, I think him a kind-hearted gentleman who, whilst arrogant, still can show consideration. And then the next, I hear him lying directly to me and I want to shake him by the shoulders and force the truth from him!”

“That is very frustrating indeed, I am sure,” Lady Eve answered, calmly. “Though what you have done is all you can do, I think.” Tipping her head, she lifted one eyebrow. “Unless you wish to tell him the truth.”

Hyacinth snorted and shook her head, feeling as if she were wearing holes in the floor given the sheer number of times she had passed back and forth. “I cannot do that.”

“Then put your anger into your riddles,” Lady Eve suggested. “The last two were very pointed and, given what you told me, it seemed clear to me that he understood them.”

This made Hyacinth nod, though she continued to walk. What Lady Eve did not know – and what Hyacinth barely wanted to admit to herself – was that the reason for her frustration was not solely because of the riddles.

They were also because of her own foolish heart.

The night she had danced the waltz with Lord Thorne, she had lost herself completely. Being in his arms, being twirled around the floor with ease as he had smiled down into her eyes… it had made her feel as though she were, in fact, pretty enough to be noticed by a gentleman. It was as if someone had truly seen her for the very first time, as though she were someone to be admired and considered, rather than being ignored. Yes, it had taken her great courage to step out as she had done, fear had bitten up and down every part of her frame… but the moment he had taken her into his arms, all of that had broken apart and slithered away, leaving her with a sense of happiness which had been utterly absent from her ever since she had stepped into society again.

And yet, at the very same time, Hyacinth knew that he was a liar, that he had taken on something that was not his to own and was now quite contented with everyone believing it. It was not that she wanted the beau monde to look at her with admiration, rather that she simply did not wish for him to steal it for himself without seemingly a second thought.

“He told me that he did not think that a young lady being a bluestocking was anything to be mocked. I thought well of him for that.”

“Indeed.” Lady Eve sighed quietly and shook her head. “It is a very strange situation, I grant you. Lord Thorne is, as I have told you, prideful and arrogant. And yet, at the very same time, he has shown you personally that he is still an upstanding gentleman, for he has protected you from that despicable Lord Sunderland on two occasions now, has he not?”

Hyacinth nodded and finally made her way to a chair, though she slumped down in it as a sense of tiredness began to wash over her.

“Thereafter, he chose your waltz and that came when he heard Rose teasing you,” Lady Eve continued, her reminders only adding to Hyacinth’s inner turmoil. “And he has told you that he does not condemn bluestockings! Those things are all commendable, certainly.”

“They are.”

Lady Eve spread out her hands. “But at the very same time, this gentleman has been telling others that he has been writing these riddles and he has done so to gain popularity and admiration, I am sure.”

Hyacinth’s lips twisted. “That is why I find myself so confused by him. He is not a gentleman who appears to have excellence in his character but also deep failings which are injurious to me personally.”

Her friend said nothing, giving Hyacinth the silence she needed to let her thoughts continue to spill out from her mind.

“I do not want to punish him by forcing him, somehow, to admit that he was wrong to say such a thing but neither do I want him to continue to state that he has been writing these! Yes, the riddles can directly speak to him but what hope is there of his repentance? I do not think that a gentleman who has such pride within him will do anything other than seek that out!”

“You mean to say that you do not believe anything will change?” Lady Eve settled her hands in her lap as Hyacinth nodded. “It may, however.” Her eyes darted towards Hyacinth and then pulled away again. “You are continuing to spend time in his company and that can only be a good thing. Somehow, you will be able to catch him out. You are clever with words and you will be able to find a way to bring out the truth from him. Even if he does not admit it to society, he will admit it to you and that will bring you victory, will it not?”

Hearing the confidence her friend had in her brought tears to Hyacinth’s eyes. “You think that I could do such a thing? Truly?”

“I do.”

Hyacinth considered this, her eyes closing as she brought a sense of calmness back to her mind. The truth was, she wanted nothing more than to hear Lord Thorne admit to her that he was wrong, that he had lied and taken something that was not his. She did not need the ton to hear it, she only wanted the truth for herself.

“Then you must be fixed upon your intentions,” Lady Eve continued, speaking firmly now. “Write your next riddles. Make them directly for him, making it clear that you know what he has done and that you are angry at his deceit. Then, go to speak with him. Talk about the riddles and the answers. Try to find a way to catch him out.”

A specific worry began to gnaw at Hyacinth’s mind. Though she fully agreed with what Lady Eve had suggested, her fear was that, as she spent more time with Lord Thorne, she would find herself drawn to him. She could not confess that to Lady Eve for fear that her friend would think her the most ridiculous creature in all of London and, in this moment, Hyacinth feared that she might truly be so!

“Hyacinth?”

“Mmm?” Hyacinth lifted her head and looked back at her friend, seeing the enquiring look on her face. “Yes, you are quite right. I can do all those things. I want to hear the truth from his lips and that is the only thing that matters.” Silently demanding that she have no such foolishness about Lord Thorne any longer, Hyacinth lifted her chin as a steadiness returned to her. “And I shall get it from him, one way or the other.”

“ I can see Lord Thorne over there.”

A coldness rifled up Hyacinth’s spine. “Yes, Mama. I can see him also.”

“You should go to speak with him. I can still observe you from where I am.”

Hyacinth turned to look into her mother’s face. “Mama, I am aware that you know I waltzed with him but that does not mean anything. He was only showing me a kindness.”

Ice poured into her mother’s expression. “And I will not permit you to retreat into the wallflower that I know you desperately wish to be! You have not done as well as I expected nor as I demanded and yet, even now when I tell you to go and speak to a gentleman who has shown you a miniscule amount of interest, you refuse?” Her mother’s hand pressed hard onto Hyacinth’s shoulder, making her wince as she battled hot tears over her mother’s cruel words.

“I did not refuse, I – ”

“Rose has a good many gentlemen vying for her attention and though I expected that from her, given her beauty. You, on the other hand, ought to be pursuing every gentleman who so much as gives you a second look! There are not many, as you well know, and you cannot be so particular, Hyacinth.” Her eyes narrowed all the more. “Your father always retreats to the card room on these occasions and leaves me to the responsibilities that both you and your sister bring and you shall not let me down. Go. Now.”

There was no choice but for Hyacinth to do as her mother demanded. What made things all the worse for her was that the words her mother had spoken had hit her so hard, they had sent sharp tears into her eyes and now, she was on the verge of bursting into sobs. The push of her mother’s hand against her shoulder forced her steps and though Hyacinth made her way forward, her vision began to blur and she could not fully see where she was going.

“Lady Hyacinth, are you quite all right?”

Closing her eyes tightly, Hyacinth took in a breath, fearing that her composure was quite lost from her. “I am, yes.”

“You do not look to be all right.”

Managing to open her eyes and relieved that no tears fell, Hyacinth looked up into Lord Elledge’s kind face. “Oh, Lord Elledge, good evening.” Her lip wobbled. “Forgive me, it is only that I… ” She trailed off, not certain what to say, feeling her emotions building. Lord Elledge had such a kind face and she had thought him very amiable before and her heart did ache so very terribly. “There can be a good deal of expectation on a young lady at evenings such as this, I suppose.” Her smile managed to return. “That is all.”

“Ah.” Lord Elledge nodded. “Were my wife here, then I am certain she would sympathize.” His smile was gentle. “Is there anything that I can do? Might you wish to dance?”

Hyacinth took her dance card from her wrist.” It would certainly lessen the expectation upon me, if I were to have a few dances on my card.”

He nodded and took it from her. “Then I shall be glad to oblige. And here, let me take you to Lord Thorne, he has danced before and I am sure he will do so again.” A small frown darted between his eyebrows. “Though I confess, he is not quite himself this evening so he may not desire dancing.”

“Not himself?” Hyacinth, managing to gather herself a little more now that she had the kindness of Lord Elledge offered her, took his proffered arm. “In what way?”

“Oh, I do not know.” Lord Elledge frowned, glancing towards her. “I am speaking out of turn, mayhap, but I think that our conversation is making you feel a little better and thus, I shall continue.” He smiled as she looked away, a little embarrassed to have been so obviously upset. “I cannot tell you with any confidence as to what is concerning Lord Thorne, the only thing I know is that now the ton know that he is supposedly the writer of these riddles, it has not brought him any joy. Instead, he appears to be a little more troubled.”

“Supposedly?” The word was out of Hyacinth’s mouth before she even had time to think. When Lord Elledge’s face turned red, Hyacinth’s eyebrows lifted gently. It was clear to her that Lord Elledge did not entirely believe Lord Thorne’s claim. And that was interesting indeed.

“Forgive my foolishness.” Lord Elledge slid a glance towards her. “I ought not to have spoken so.”

Hyacinth smiled in what she hoped was an encouraging manner. “But of course.”

“Please do not say such a thing to others, especially to Lord Thorne. I do not want to upset him.”

“I quite understand,” Hyacinth answered. “Though I know for certain that you are not the only one who is a little unsure as to whether such a claim is the truth.”

This made Lord Elledge’s eyes widen.

“Though I shall trust you not to say anything in that regard also,” Hyacinth smiled as Lord Elledge began to chuckle. “We are in each other’s confidence now, yes?”

The gentleman’s smile grew all the more. “Yes indeed, Lady Hyacinth. It seems as though we are.” There was nothing more that could be said between them, for Lord Elledge had brought her to speak with Lord Thorne and the other companions standing near him which, Hyacinth knew, would bring her mother a good deal of relief. She glanced over her shoulder to see her mother nodding in her direction, her eyes narrowed and fixed on Hyacinth’s back.

That made Hyacinth’s stomach twist with nervousness, fully aware of just what her mother expected – and how little she would be able to fulfill it. To dance every dance was a thought that both frightened Hyacinth and filled her with doubt, for she would never be able to garner that many acquaintances and did not have the confidence to make such connections in the way Rose did! All Rose had to do was walk into the ballroom, smile, and in an instant, she would have at least three dances already taken.

Hyacinth had to fight for even one and even that made her deeply uncomfortable.

“I was just saying to Lady Hyacinth that you are a little altered this evening.”

Hyacinth forced her gaze back to Lord Thorne who, much to her surprise, did not attempt even to deny what his friend had said. Just as usual, his expression betrayed all that he was feeling and it was clear to Hyacinth’s eyes that he was distinctly out of sorts. His eyebrows were heavy, his gaze flicking back and forth from one face to the next and his jaw was tight. With lifted shoulders, he folded his arms over his chest and then shrugged.

“I am fatigued, that is all.”

“Though you shall still dance with Lady Hyacinth, I am sure.” Lord Elledge, who had not yet returned Hyacinth’s dance card, handed it directly to Lord Thorne, giving him no opportunity to refuse. “There is an expectation on young ladies, as I am sure you can understand, and I think it our duty to aid that expectation.”

The Marquess did not agree nor disagree but took the card from Lord Elledge with a grunt. He scribbled his name and then returned it to Hyacinth with a nod, making no attempt at conversation.

“I was just speaking to Lord Elledge of the riddles,” Hyacinth began, recalling what Lady Eve had told her to do. “The most recent one I found most intriguing! I must ask you, is there something that you are trying to say to the ton ?”

Lord Thorne shifted on his feet. “I do not know what you mean.”

“Well,” Hyacinth continued, warming to the subject now, “the previous two riddles spoke of lies and deceiving, and then the answer to this most recent riddle was the proverb, ‘be sure your sins will find you out’ which, of course, was very cleverly written.” She tilted her head, watching him carefully. “I suppose I wondered if these riddles were meant to be on a specific subject, hold a message, or if they were simply what you have come up with?”

Lord Thorne looked away, his jaw still tight. “It was entirely by chance that the answer to the riddles were related,” he said, sounding frustrated and irritated. “I did not mean them to be in any way connected.”

“I see.” Hyacinth watched Lord Thorne, wondering what it was that troubled him so. As she had noted before, he was not a gentleman able to hide his emotions from anyone. He was only capable of displaying them right across his face and in his manner. “I do wonder if you might be able to tell me what it is that you do to come up with these riddles, Lord Thorne? I should very much like to know the way in which your mind bends these words and phrases together to create something so mysterious!”

“Why do you not take a turn about the ballroom and explain yourself?” Lord Elledge exclaimed, throwing Hyacinth a smile, though Hyacinth herself found the idea a little worrying, her increasing confidence suddenly thrown asunder. “Lord Thorne will never tell you this himself, Lady Hyacinth, but he is a gentleman very much inclined towards good company… and by that, I mean company that enjoys him hearing speaking about himself!”

Lord Thorne scowled, dropped his hands to his sides but did not say anything in response.

“I shall accompany you, if you wish?” Lord Elledge suggested, glancing behind him to where Hyacinth’s mother stood. “And I am sure that Lady Coatbridge will follow also.” He leaned towards Hyacinth, murmuring out of the corner of his mouth. “Continue with your questions, Lady Hyacinth. Though you must tell me if you discover the truth!”

“What is it that you are saying?” Lord Thorne sounded irritated but Lord Elledge only smiled.

“Nothing in the least. Now, are you to walk?”

Hyacinth’s heart slammed hard against her chest as Lord Thorne finally turned his gaze towards her. He had not much choice in the matter, she realized, for to refuse would be to behave very poorly indeed. She did not know whether or not she wished to walk with him, for though she was doing what Lord Elledge had suggested, there was that niggling sensation in her heart that she simply could not get rid of.

The sensation of a small and yet growing interest in Lord Thorne.

“Very well.” Lord Thorne offered Hyacinth his arm and, after only a brief hesitation, she accepted it. “Though we cannot be long. I have to dance with Miss Saxton very soon.”

Without a word, though she caught a satisfied smile on Lord Elledge’s face, Hyacinth took Lord Thorne’s arm and began to walk. Neither of them said a word for some minutes, to the point that Hyacinth began to fear that she would soon be returned to her mother without having had any conversation with the Marquess at all!

“Expectation.”

A little confused, Hyacinth glanced up at him, seeing the shadows still filling his expression. “I beg your pardon?”

“Lord Elledge spoke of expectation and what it is to sit upon a young lady’s shoulders.” Lord Thorne spoke a little more quietly now, though he did not look at her. “Might I enquire what expectation it is that troubles you?”

This was not the way the conversation had been meant to go and Hyacinth began to stumble over her words. “Well, yes. The reason is… what I mean to say is that when Lord Elledge came upon me, I was… ” Her eyes closed briefly as she tried to return her mind to one thought at a time. “I am sure that you need not hear my explanations, Lord Thorne.”

“And what if I should like to?”

Surprised, Hyacinth looked up at him and this time, he held her gaze.

“I am quite genuine, Lady Hyacinth.”

Again came the wall of confusion that surrounded Hyacinth’s mind. Lord Thorne was proving himself to be a very considerate gentleman in this conversation but she, however, was meant to be speaking with him to force him to reveal the truth about the riddles. And yet, her heart wanted to share with him, wanted to tell him the truth about her present difficulties.

“That is very kind of you, Lord Thorne.” Confused by her reaction and her desires, Hyacinth hesitated. “I am afraid that such a thing must be kept entirely to myself.”

“And why is that?” Lord Thorne’s eyebrows rose high. “You do not think that I will gossip about whatever you say to me, do you?”

Hyacinth said nothing, catching the edge of her lip.

“I am not inclined towards gossip, Lady Hyacinth. That is Lord Jedburgh’s forte and I am not at all contented with all that the ton enjoys. I do not like that rumors and whispers spread all through London for I have seen it cause a good deal of difficulty. You can trust me, I assure you.”

A sudden idea came to Hyacinth’s mind. “Then I shall tell you, Lord Thorne. But only if you swear you shall tell me something of your own thereafter. That way, I can be assured that you will not whisper about what I have told you.”

This made Lord Thorne frown.

“Though there is no need to promise me such a thing if you do not desire to do so,” Hyacinth continued, quickly. “We can simply continue as we are.”

“Hmm.” Lord Thorne’s steps slowed and Hyacinth was grateful that they remained close to the perimeter of the ballroom, for it meant that fewer people were noticing them and thus, the conversation could continue without interruption. As she waited for his decision, Hyacinth considered just how quickly her nervousness had fled, how the worries she had endured about walking arm in arm with Lord Thorne had hurried away the more they had walked together. She would not say that she was entirely comfortable in his company but there was a certain easiness about being with him that was growing steadily.

“Very well, Lady Hyacinth. I shall do as you ask.” Lord Thorne offered her brief though not a warm smile. “If you tell me something that I promise not to share, then I shall tell you the very same.”

Hyacinth smiled back at him. “So I shall tell you what is troubling me and you shall tell me what is troubling you.” Seeing him open his mouth to protest that this was not what he had meant to agree to, she spoke quickly so that he could not step away from it. “The expectation from my mother is what I find particularly difficult, Lord Thorne.” Her shoulders lowered as a small sadness began to push its way back toward her heart. “You must know, as Lord Elledge said, that every young lady has expectations placed upon her and I am one of those young ladies. Though, of course, the weight is greater on my shoulders than on my sister’s.”

“Why is it greater?”

Something like a thousand butterflies began to flutter their wings in her stomach. Should she be honest? Yes, she reasoned, for it was not as though Lord Thorne would not be aware of the distinction between herself and her sister. “Rose is not plain as I am. She has greater poise and confidence and enjoys spending time in society whereas I find it a little more difficult.”

At this, Lord Thorne stopped dead and turned to face Hyacinth, her hand slipping from his arm. His eyes were a little wider than before, searching her face as if the answer she had given him was a little displeasing. Hyacinth opened her mouth to say something more, only to close it again, feeling her mouth growing dry.

“My dear Lady Hyacinth, I am utterly astonished!”

Hyacinth blinked, not only astonished at just how he had spoken to her but also at the fervency of his words.

“You cannot truly find society difficult, as you have said. You have always appeared quite contented within it!” His eyebrows lifted. “And you are certainly not without poise and confidence, certainly not to my eyes at least! And I will not state that you are plain for that is not only rude but entirely untrue. You have a beauty, Lady Hyacinth, that is entirely your own.”

Hyacinth was completely overwhelmed. Lord Thorne was speaking frankly and with evident genuineness, leaving her lost for words. All thought of having him tell her the truth about the riddles flew from her mind as she gazed into his eyes, seeing a steadiness there that told her that he was speaking the truth and only the truth.

No gentleman had ever said such words to her before. No gentleman had ever stated to her that she was beautiful in her own way, not even her mother nor her father had said such kind words to her. And yet here was this gentleman, telling her something that she had never expected and crushing her heart with joy.

Lord Thorne dropped his eyes. “I have spoken too fervently, I fear.”

“No, no. Not at all.” Hyacinth’s voice was rasping now, her heart ablaze. “You cannot know just how much your words mean, Lord Thorne. Though,” she continued, trying to smile despite the frantic way her heart was beating, “I confess to you the truth – I do find and have always found society difficult to be a part of. That is why Lord Sunderland was able to approach me as he did that first evening; because I was standing alone, away from everyone else and even away from my sister!”

“I would never have suspected that,” Lord Thorne told her, his frown lifting for the first time since she had stepped into his company. “You have always appeared confident. Yes, you stood alone when Lord Sunderland approached but I thought nothing of it, truth be told. I was more concerned with what my friend was to do or say.”

Hyacinth put one hand to her heart. “Thank you for such considerate words, Lord Thorne. I do not think I can express how much they have brought comfort to my heart.”

He smiled and for some moments, Hyacinth lost herself in his eyes. When he smiled with warmth, his entire expression and demeanor changed completely, to the point that there was not even a single flickering shadow lingering there any longer.

“I was to tell you what troubled me also, was I not?”

Pulling herself out of the slight daze, Hyacinth tried to remember what it was that they had previously discussed. “Yes, that is so.” Remembering that she was trying to have him confess the truth about the riddles, she drew herself up and nodded, trying to remind herself just how much of a liar and deceiver Lord Thorne really was. “So what has been weighing heavily on your mind this evening, Lord Thorne? What has you in such a disagreeable frame?”

The edges of his mouth quirked. “I am in a disagreeable frame, am I not?” A wry chuckle pulled from him. “I cannot hide it from anyone, it seems!”

“No, you cannot.” When his gaze pulled quickly to her, Hyacinth flushed but continued to speak, choosing to be honest with him. “You are a gentleman who, I think, is unable to hide what he feels from his expression. Though mayhap, if you share your troubles, you might find them a little relieved.”

The smile on the Marquess’ face softened. “I suppose that is true. Very well, Lady Hyacinth, I shall tell you.” With a look away, he took in a breath and then released it. “I am caught up in a matter which I now find myself regretting.” His brows knotted together. “That did not come out clearly. It is not that the matter itself is regretful, rather that I regret my actions within it.” Glancing towards her, he lifted his shoulders lightly. “Does that makes sense to you?”

She nodded slowly, a little surprised to hear those words from him.

“I have behaved foolishly and I know very well why I did so, but it does not justify it,” he continued, looking away from her again as they began to meander slowly around the room again, uninterrupted by anyone. “That is what disturbs me. I should very much like to remove myself from this present circumstance but I cannot.”

“Cannot?” Hyacinth tried to hide her confusion, thinking to herself that all the Marquess needed to do was tell the ton that he had made the story up, and then all his regrets would fade. “Why is that?”

A hint of red darted across Lord Thorne’s cheeks. “Because I am quite prideful, Lady Hyacinth,” he answered, astonishing her all the more with his honesty. “That is the truth of it. So I am quite stuck, you see, and there can be no hope of redemption either.”

“No?” Both a little frustrated with herself that she had no feelings of anger or upset towards this gentleman, this very one who had stolen her riddles from her, Hyacinth could not help but settle her hand on his for only a moment, seeing his eyes swing around to hers at once. “I do not think that there is anything above redemption, Lord Throne.”

He smiled at her and Hyacinth’s heart betrayed her utterly in the way that it leapt up. “No? Not even pride?”

“No,” she answered, her voice gentle despite her own regret at her actions and feelings. “Not even that.”