Simon turned to see what had disturbed her and then cursed softly. She watched him quickly place Louis in the carriage. “Louis, please wait in the carriage while your aunt and I purchase you some food.”
Relieved, Claire watched as the boy climbed onto a seat, eyes wide as he looked around the elegant interior. Simon then closed the door before turning to face the couple heading their way. “Smile, Claire, and walk with me away from the carriage. Slowly,” he cautioned her as she began to hurry.
“Lord Kelkirk, Miss Belmont, this is a surprise.”
Claire tried to look pleased to see the couple now before her when she was anything but. The Countess of Tinley was a gossip, and by the look in her eye, she knew she was about to get a juicy tidbit.
“What has happened to your face, my lord?”
“An altercation with a pickpocket, I’m afraid. However, no lasting damage has been done.”
“You must tell me what has you both here…alone?” the countess cooed.
“Good morning, Lord Tinley,” Simon said, ignoring the countess’s question to acknowledge her husband.
“Kelkirk.”
“My lord, I must insist you tell me what has you both here in Liverpool alone?”
“We are not alone, Countess. Miss Belmont’s maid is accompanying my aunt while she looks in some of the shops,” he said waving a hand to the left where the shops were. “Miss Belmont and I are taking a walk before collecting her and continuing on our journey.”
“Your, aunt!” The countess declared clapping her hands together. “It has been so long since I saw her.”
“I’m sorry but we are in a hurry, Countess, therefore we must be on our way. However she and my uncle will be visiting me in London soon. Perhaps you could call on her then.”
Anyone listening to Simon would think he was discussing the weather, he sounded unruffled and composed. However it would take more than he to deter the countess when she believed there was a titillating story to be had, Claire thought with a sinking feeling. He was lying to a woman who cut her eye teeth on gossip. The countess liked to know everything about everyone and she would question them until she had the answers she desired, and if they were not forthcoming, she would simply make them up.
“But to leave so early in the season, Lord Kelkirk… Where is it you and Miss Belmont travel with your aunt?”
“And you, Countess? What has you here in Liverpool?”
Claire watched the woman’s eyes narrow as Simon deflected the question. “We are visiting with Captain Withers as we do every year at this time, my lord.”
The silence that followed made Claire’s toes curl inside her shoes.
“I’m sure I overheard your mother saying you were visiting with the Duke and Duchess of Stratton at their estate, Miss Belmont.”
“We had a change of plans,” Simon said calmly.
“We?” The countess cooed. “I had not realized you were such friends, my lord.”
This was bad, bad, bad. Claire felt the water close over her head as she struggled to come up with any excuse for why she was here with Simon.
“It seems our secret is out, darling.”
Shocked, Claire looked up at Simon, who, in turn, was smiling down at her. However the gesture did not reach his eyes.
“Simon, no–”
“Secret, Lord Kelkirk?”
“Miss Belmont has consented to be my wife, and we are on our way back to London after visiting with my aunt and uncle, Countess. I would ask that you keep our little surprise for a few days, if you could.”
Claire couldn’t speak. Her tongue seemed to have swollen, and her limbs felt suddenly heavy. Dear god, what was Simon thinking? She had to put a stop to it before the countess had a chance to tell anyone. “No, really, Lady Tinley–”
“It’s all right, darling. We can rely on the earl and countess to keep our secret.” His tone was light, yet there was nothing gentle about the fingers that dug into her waist.
“Congratulations, Kelkirk!” the earl boomed.
“And the dear little child I saw with you, my lord? To whom does he belong?”
“He is my driver’s child, Countess.” Simon said, looking at Merlin who was seated on the carriage behind him. “I let him come along when his father is going on long journeys, as his mother passed a few months ago.”
More guilt piled onto Claire’s shoulders as Simon invented another lie on her behalf.
“That is very sweet of you, my lord,” the countess said believing his every word. “But now we must away. Come, husband, we will leave the lovebirds to their journey. Congratulations to you both,” the countess gushed, kissing Claire’s cheek. “Of course your secret is safe with us.”