He headed toward the construction site, pondering how far they’d progressed since his last stroll past. As he approached a black poplar, a scrap of light green muslin against the gnarled bark caught his eye. When he was level with the spot, he found the scrap actually belonged to the walking dress Arabella was wearing. “Lady Farnsworth?”
She sagged against the tree and then peeked at him from beneath a large-brimmed bonnet trimmed with ribbon, her smile hesitant. “Oh, thank heavens it’s you. I thought for a moment that Farnsworth had found me.”
“You thought I was Farnsworth?” Merrick glanced down at his olive-green waistcoat and coat in disappointment. “I really must speak to my tailor.”
“No, no.” She waved her gloved hand about and laughed. “I saw the carriage and a tall man step out and hid immediately just in case. There is nothing lacking in your attire, sir. As always, you appear very distinguished.”
“Thank you. And as always, you look very lovely yourself.” Merrick glanced about the park but saw no sign of Lord Farnsworth anywhere, or a servant that might belong to her. “If I may ask, why are you hiding from your brother-in-law and alone? Most women don’t find the construction of the Temple of Concord particularly fascinating. Is Farnsworth angry with you over his daughter’s elopement?”
“Well, not yet. As far as I can tell, he doesn’t suspect she’s gone, but I’d like to delay the inevitable discussion for as long as possible.” She grimaced, fidgeting with the piping adorning the sleeve of her spencer. “You see, I’m a terrible liar. If he asks me directly what I know about her disappearance, I am afraid I will blurt everything out at once.”
Merrick studied her. Despite how pretty she appeared on the surface, her eyes held a wealth of weariness he hadn’t encountered before. “Did you worry for the whole of last night?”
She nodded slowly. “It is not every day you fail so abysmally as a chaperone.”
“You did not fail.” He rushed to assure her. “Far from it. Everyone has a choice in how they behave. The girl chose not to follow your excellent example and is the poorer for it in my opinion. With or without help that girl would have twisted my cousin around her finger and run off.”
Her eyes widened. “After my behavior the other night, I do not feel I am necessarily an excellent example.”
It was just a kiss. More or less harmless to a widow’s reputation if it never recurred. Arabella made it sound as if she’d made love in a public place. “You did nothing wrong. Any blame should fall on my head.”
Arabella met his gaze and her eyes softened. “Thank you.”
He shifted his weight from foot to foot. He couldn’t help but hope she was warming to him. Determined to find out, he took a pace toward her to see how she would react to his proximity. “If it is any comfort, there is little chance of anyone catching them. I gave orders for the team to be driven hard and fast for the border, and they are not going to the usual place where many an imprudent match is made.”
“Oh,” she said as she straightened, drawing closer herself. “Where will they be married?”
Merrick was mesmerized by the change in her behavior. She was no longer so timid. She met his eyes, her body turning toward him as they talked. So many unwise thoughts crossed his mind. “If you cannot lie, I’d best not mention the name, but there was a little town not far from the border where I’ve stayed once or twice. The first time I went there, my driver had gotten us thoroughly lost. The second time, I went by choice and stayed a good long while. The place is little frequented by travelers, so they should not be discovered until the deed is done.”
“That does relieve my mind. Thank you.”
Still, she did not smile with her usual good spirits and that puzzled him. “There is something else, isn’t there? Are you angry about the kiss? I will apologize if necessary.”
“No. It’s not that. Quite the contrary.”
He moved closer, intrigued by her response. “What then? I know we are not the closest of acquaintances, but if I can ease your mind, I would gladly do anything you ask.”
She bit her lower lip a moment before turning her head, denying him a view of her face because the bonnet brim was so large. “Aside from Cecily’s elopement, I do have something preying on my mind. Not that my problem is her fault, of course, the two events are simply inexplicably tied together, if you take my meaning.”
He wanted to reach out and turn her lovely face his way again. Instead, he curled his hands into fists at his side. “No, you have lost me, in truth. What problem do you face? I may not be Grayling, but I will help if I can.”
“I fear there is nothing you could do. Farnsworth wishes for me to return to the family estate in Surrey, Hinkley Park, after Cecily marries. With Cecily’s elopement, and his expected anger with her, I believe that may change.”
“So you want to return to Hinkley?”
“In truth, no. I never liked it there.”
He still did not understand her concern. “Then remain in Wiltshire.”
“Winslette is not part of the entailment and Farnsworth has informed me that he intends to sell it despite my wish to remain living there. So you see, I may find myself without a home anywhere at all if he believes me responsible for Cecily’s actions.”
Merrick rubbed his hand over his mouth to hold back the curses he couldn’t utter before this elegant lady. Farnsworth was an utter bastard to sell her home out from under her very feet and force her back to an estate she didn’t like. Plus, if she went there, he didn’t like his chances of seeing her again for a very long time. She would be cut off from her friends too, and he could see why she appeared so troubled. He glanced around the park quickly. “It is not your fault. The girl is willful and headstrong.”
“True, yet Farnsworth will hold me accountable. He would never admit himself a failure in raising the girl. I dread returning to that town house today.” Her eyes grew fearful and Merrick longed to comfort her. Perhaps to hold her against his chest and promise everything would work out for the best in due course. But he could not touch her nor make promises he could not deliver. The frustration that realization brought soured his mood. He had no business getting involved, but he wanted to help very much. It was then he noticed a group of official-looking sorts pointing in their direction. “I should leave you to continue your stroll.”
Her smile returned but it was forced. “I suppose I should go visit the ducks as I usually do. Thank you for helping Cecily, my lord. I hope she will return a married woman and not be caught beforehand.”
“I wish for that too. Farewell.” He nodded and retraced his steps to Piccadilly Street, his mind filled with Arabella’s fears. At the border of the park, he met with another half brother coming down Half Moon Street.
Archie, one of the youngest in his employ, smiled eagerly. “Mr. Holland sent me to see if you needed any assistance.”
“What possible need could I have so close to home?” He shook his head. “No, don’t answer that. He’s sent you out on a fool’s errand.”
“Didn’t mind in the least, milord.” Archie grinned and craned his neck to look around. “There’s always something exciting to see in the park.”
Archie hadn’t been in London long enough to set aside his awe of his surroundings. Merrick glanced behind him. Leaving Lady Farnsworth alone in the park, with her mind so full of her worries, did not sit well with him. He crooked his finger at Archie. “I need you to do something for me, lad.”
The boy’s head whipped around so fast it was a wonder it didn’t fall off his neck. “Anything.”
“There is a fine lady in the park, possibly down by the water’s edge now, dressed all in green and wearing a large bonnet. When I saw her she was hiding behind a black poplar, in fact, so you may overlook her. I want you to keep a discreet eye on her until she returns to number eight Half Moon Street. I saw no sign of a servant attending her, and her mind is too full of her own cares for me to have any peace. If she senses your presence, introduce yourself as my servant, but it is important that no one else know you are watching over her on my behalf. She is a very proper lady, if you take my meaning, and I would not like any harm to come to her reputation. Is that clear?”