Rescued By A Viscount(31)

This was what came of having servants who’d known you since you were a child. They tended to forget you had grown up.

“There really is no need, Toddy–” The rest of Claire’s words died in her throat as she heard the front door open.

Dear god, I am doomed.

“Wernham, you are a prince among men.”

Why did it have to him, of all people, who was about to step outside after, apparently saying good-bye to the Stratton butler?

“The house will be quiet without–Claire?”

“Lord Kelkirk, how wonderful to see you. Are you to accompany us also? What a merry little party we shall be.” Claire made herself smile as she hurried up the steps towards the door, where he now stood. Had she not been terrified, the confused look on his face would have made her laugh.

“Ah, Claire, they have already-”

She dug her fingers into his arm and squeezed, which made him wince. Claire needed to shut him up quickly before he alerted Toddy to the fact that the duke and duchess had already departed for Stratton. Standing on her toes, she brushed a kiss on his cheek and whispered the words. “Please, I’m begging you, just follow my lead.”

He looked from her down to the driver who waited at the base of the stairs, and then he nodded.

“Yes, a very merry party, Miss Belmont.” His voice was flat and serious and his eyes were now leveled on Claire.

“That will be all now, Toddy, as you can see I am no longer alone,” she said, dragging her eyes away from his to address the driver. Toddy gave her a bow, and in seconds, was in the seat and driving the carriage away.

“May I be of assistance, Lord Kelkirk, Miss Belmont?”

“Not at this moment, Wernham, thank you,” Simon said. “If you will just give us a few minutes of privacy, I shall let you know if you are needed.”

The butler closed the door quietly, and Claire now stood on the doorstep alone with Simon.

“You’re pale, Claire. Why?”

She closed her eyes as he brushed the pad of his thumb beneath them. Unlike her, he liked to touch and be touched–put a hand on a friend’s shoulder or place a kiss on a cheek. Simon Kelkirk liked people to know he cared about them. Claire didn’t want his touch because she needed to keep herself in control, and his kindness would prevent that from happening. Taking a step back, she said, “There is nothing amiss, my lord. I simply wish to make another journey. Now if you will excuse me, I must be on my way.” Turning away, she walked calmly back down the stairs, and then, picking up her bags, she started towards the gates. She had been fooling only herself by thinking she would reach them.

“You think I will just let you walk away from me with your luggage, alone, without either a carriage or servants?”

“Yes,” Claire said, trying to shake off the hand he now had wrapped around her arm. “You are neither my husband nor brother. Therefore you have no say in what I do, so please release me, Lord Kelkirk.”

They were still partially hidden from the road, but Claire knew that if someone moved close to the fence, they would be seen. Therefore it was imperative she made her escape soon and hire a hackney before someone recognized her.

“If you do not give me some answers soon, Claire, I will pick you and your luggage up and carry you into my carriage and drive around until you talk to me.”

She needed to remain in control; if she did, there was a chance she could walk away from here without him. “I would ask that you simply turn your back and let me walk away, my lord. Will you do that? Because I must leave for somewhere at once, as there is not a moment to lose.” Claire had managed to keep her voice calm while her heart thumped loudly in her chest.

“No, Claire, I cannot do that.”

She couldn’t outrun him, and there was no way she could manipulate him, as he was too clever for that. So what was she to do? Claire thought about the child who was reliant on her arrival in Liverpool as she looked at the man before her. She knew he was a good man. Yes, they always appeared to be at odds with each other, and in truth, that was mostly her fault. No one was closer to Eva and Daniel than he, and that was testament enough, surely. She had precious minutes to make a decision before someone saw both of them and her bags, so, taking a deep breath, she said what she had to. “I-I need to do something, alone. It will harm no one. I will return to London soon in perfect health, my lord.”

“No.” He said nothing further, just the one word, yet she heard the strength behind it, and she knew her quest to leave alone was slipping from her grasp.

Claire rarely stuttered when she spoke, nor did she ever physically reach for another person in support, yet now she did both. Dropping her bags, she reached out to him with one hand. “P-please, Simon, I must do this …th-thing. I’m begging you to walk away.”