and her niece. He had no doubt Elyse would still be at odds with him and who could blame her, when he had treated her so roughly? Perhaps he should not have questioned her about her betrothal to Reverson, but he had to be sure she was happy about it. He himself was uneasy about this whole business. Harry had not explained to his daughter why Lord Whittlewood had agreed to so unequal a match and Drew was convinced the viscount would not want the truth known.
Elyse and Reverson might have thought themselves in love during that brief, heady Season three years ago, but if they had been apart since then he suspected there could be little affection left, and although he thought Elyse a little spoiled he did not wish her to be hurt. He would have to be careful in his dealings with her. It had almost been his undoing when he had teased her, for he had been enjoying himself and relaxed his guard. Then she had turned those soft brown eyes to his and he had suffered a sudden rush of desire that had almost knocked him off his feet. It had driven all teasing thoughts from his head and he had wanted nothing more than to drag her into his arms.
Even worse, he suspected she had felt it too because she had pulled away from him and rushed off in a panic. But there was no harm done, he had been taken unawares, that was all. It would not happen again. And Elyse was obviously appalled by the attraction that had crackled between them, sharp as any electrical storm. Perhaps that little fright would do her good. She might now see the wisdom of keeping all men at a proper distance. He grinned, thinking again of the way she had ripped up at him. She undoubtedly had spirit and she was not unintelligent. He would do what he could to lay those ruffled feathers this evening and if he succeeded he thought she would prove entertaining company.
He arrived at Northfield Square at the appointed hour and was shown into an empty drawing room by a servant who was clearly distracted. However, Drew did not have long to wait before he discovered the cause. Miss Salforde came in and stood with her back to the door. She had not changed for dinner and was still dressed in her plain morning gown of black crepe, adorned only with a snowy apron. The simplicity of the homely garb only highlighted the delightful curves of her figure and he found himself once again indulging in highly inappropriate thoughts. However, when his eyes moved to her face he sobered immediately and his attention jumped back to the present, for her dark eyes were troubled.
‘Sir, you must cancel your arrangements,’ she said without preamble, clasping her hands at her breast. ‘We cannot go to London tomorrow.’
‘Is something amiss, Miss Salforde?’ His brows snapped together. There was no sign of the confident, teasing miss he had seen last night, nor the haughty ice maiden of this afternoon. Instead she was very close to tears. In two strides he was at her side, taking her arm and gently drawing her to one of the sofas. Her silent compliance only confirmed to him how upset she was.
‘Now,’ he said when they were sitting down together. ‘Tell me what has occurred.’
‘M-My aunt has broken her arm. She has been hurrying hither and thither all day preparing for the journey and she tripped and fell on the stairs. If she had not been in such haste to make sure we did not keep you waiting—’
She broke off, hunting for her handkerchief. Drew gave her his own.
‘Ah,’ he murmured. ‘So it is my fault. I should have known.’
She blew her nose and brushed away a rogue tear that had escaped on to her cheek.
‘No, of course it was not your fault.’
‘Very handsomely said, Miss Salforde.’
She gave a watery chuckle.
‘Well, you cannot be blamed for the accident. Aunt should not have been carrying those bandboxes down from the attic, but Hoyle was busy packing the trunks and—’
‘Hoyle?’
‘Our maid. She is my aunt’s dresser, really, but she has always looked after me, too. I have never required a maid of my own but with so much to be done in such a short time...’
‘And where is your aunt now?’
‘In her room. The doctor is with her, setting the bone. He says it is a simple break, but she is very shaken up and he will not hear of her leaving her bed for at least a se’ennight.’ She sighed. ‘So you see, Mr Bastion, we must cancel our journey to London.’
Drew’s mind was racing. Mrs Matthews might be able to leave her room in a week but he doubted she would be fit to travel for several more—certainly not before Michaelmas. And those ominous words in Lord Whittlewood’s letter were imprinted in his mind—if Miss Salforde was not delivered to him by Michaelmas then he would consider himself to have fulfilled his part of the contract, and the marriage would not go ahead.
‘No, we will have to go on and your aunt will follow as soon as she is able.’
He found himself subjected to a disconcertingly direct gaze from those brown eyes.
‘But that would be most irregular. I will not travel without my aunt.’
‘I’m afraid you must. Lord Whittlewood is expecting you.’
‘Then I shall write to him and explain, if you will not do so.’
‘If I thought it worthwhile I would do so, willingly, but I do not think the viscount would consider your aunt’s broken arm sufficient excuse to suspend his plans.’ He could almost see the questions forming in her head and added quietly, ‘Lord Whittlewood’s instructions were very clear.’
‘Do you mean, if I do not comply, there may be no wedding?’
‘That is a distinct possibility, Miss Salforde.’
* * *
Elyse sat back. His words were like cold water, waking her from the nightmare of the past few hours into an even worse predicament. If she delayed, then she might lose William for ever. She had been seventeen when they had met, and William only a little older. There was no doubt that she had been dazzled to be singled out for attention by the son of a viscount. He was so handsome, too, everyone had said so. Was it any wonder that she had tumbled into love with him? Of course since then there had only been an occasional exchange of letters, but Elyse held his memory in her heart and longed for the day when he would claim her as his bride. Now the gentleman at her side was telling her that if she delayed that might never happen. She drew a deep, resolute breath.
‘Then I shall have to go to William alone.’
A faint, glinting smile warmed his piercing blue eyes.
‘Not quite alone, Miss Salforde. I shall be with you.’
Elyse found his words reassuring and that surprised her. Their encounters so far had been tempestuous, and occasionally disturbing, yet here she was preparing to travel to London and taking comfort from the fact that he would be with her. However, she had no time to consider such matters, especially since Aston was even now coming in to ask her what she wished to do about dinner.
‘I do not know,’ she said distractedly, putting one hand to her temple. ‘I am not hungry.’
‘Is it ready to be served?’ Mr Bastion interjected, addressing the butler directly.
Aston bowed. ‘Why yes, sir. It only needs a word and it can be on the table in a trice.’
‘Then we should
