Whispers of the Heart by Rose Pearson

Chapter Eleven

Geoffrey’s chest was so tight that he struggled to draw in a full breath. Miss Whyte’s face was pale and drawn, her eyes huge as she looked back at him with obvious uncertainty and confusion. There were clouds in her gaze and Geoffrey knew, at that moment, that whatever he said would influence her opinion of him forever.

He had noticed how she had avoided his gaze these last two days. Ever since his spurious argument with Lord Stratham, Miss Whyte had been uncertain in her actions towards him. There had no longer been that easy conversation, that gentle smile which he had found himself longing for. His urge to tell her all had been growing steadily, but he had told himself it was not necessary – until this moment.

“My loyalty has never been in question,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “Oh, Ann, I fear I must explain all if I am to have your good opinion.” He knew that he was taking liberties by speaking to her in such terms, but he could not help it. There was a connection between them, the beginning of a blossoming closeness which Geoffrey did not want to lose. “Lord Stratham and I sought to have such an argument in the hope that Lord Hyndford would be encouraged to….” He closed his eyes. “Lord Hyndford sympathizes with the French. There is no other way to put it.” Hearing her gasp, he opened his eyes. “Alongside Lord Stratham, I am attempting to discover who else he is meeting with so that we might be able to put an end to their endeavors.”

“And you sought to do so by pretending that you were of the same considerations?” Miss Whyte asked, her voice thin. “That argument was –”

“Naught but a ruse, I assure you,” he promised, looking down to see her hand now settled on his arm, her gentle touch almost searing his skin. “There is far more to explain but I must know something.” His hand reached out of its own accord, catching her other hand in his. “You are telling me honestly that Lord Silverton was the one to speak to you about this?” He watched as she nodded, truth blazing in her eyes. “And he mentioned Lord Hyndford?”

“For only a moment,” Miss Whyte replied, her brows knitting together. “He said that he and Lord Hyndford had spoken – but then….”

Her eyes widened and she stopped speaking, her gaze now fixed.

“What happened?” Geoffrey asked, holding close to her. “Ann, you must tell me!”

She shook her head, as though she could not quite accept it.

“He coughed rather hard and did not complete his sentence,” she said, slowly. “And then the matter was closed. I did not hear more.”

Geoffrey closed his eyes, struggling to make sense of it all. There was one truth coming forward, revealing itself to him slowly, but Geoffrey did not want to accept it.

“Lord Silverton is not acquainted with Lord Hyndford,” he muttered, releasing her hand, and running his own hand over his eyes. “They are not even introduced! So why then would they be speaking together? Unless….”

He trailed off and looked back at her, seeing by the widening of her eyes that she knew what he was referring to.

“Lord Silverton is of a similar inclination as Lord Hyndford,” Miss Whyte breathed, her hand now settling against his chest, just at his heart as she gazed up into his face, clearly unsettled by his distress and also, no doubt, a little afraid of what this now meant for her acquaintance with both of these gentlemen. “Oh, Lord Ware!”

He shook his head, his heart suddenly settling into a quicker rhythm as he looked down into Miss Whyte’s face. The significance of this situation was not lost on him, for he realized now that there was no feasible way for him to infiltrate whatever meeting Lord Hyndford had planned, not if Lord Silverton was also involved. Lord Silverton had clearly spoken to Lord Hyndford and would, no doubt, have told him all that Geoffrey had said at White’s. Lord Hyndford would know that he was nothing but a fraud and that the argument with Lord Stratham and Geoffrey’s supposedly foxed state thereafter had been nothing more than an act.

“I will find a way to deal with them both,” he promised, a new, sudden warmth beginning to grow within him, spreading from his toes to the very top of his head. “I am very grateful to you for your honesty, Miss Whyte.” A sparkle came into her eyes as he continued to look down at her, her nearness setting a fire within him. “And I should also take this opportunity to apologize to you for the coldness and the callous manner with which I first treated you, Miss Whyte. It was very wrong of me and whilst I did so for honorable reasons, it was not right of me to do so.”

Miss Whyte said nothing for some moments, holding his gaze steadily and making no attempt to move away. When she did speak, her question sent a thrill of surprise down Geoffrey’s spine.

“Why did you do so, my Lord?”

The moment was upon him. He could continue to speak honestly and openly to her, revealing his struggle as regarded his attraction to her, or he could talk of the war and his efforts to continue to aid it, without mentioning anything about his personal feelings.

The softness of her expression convinced him.

“Because, Miss Whyte,” he told her, “I considered you the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on.” He saw the way her eyes widened, how her lips parted in astonishment. Geoffrey did not care. He had spoken the truth and felt now emboldened to continue. “I have since come to see that your beauty is both inside and out. I told myself that to allow my attraction to you to grow would only cause difficulty,” he stated, aware of how her lips were beginning to lift in a smile, how her eyes were sparkling with evident delight. “I made myself stay apart from you, Miss Whyte, because I feared what would occur should I permit myself to even consider it. Because of such foolish thoughts, I behaved coldly towards you. That is not to say that I forgot your dances deliberately, that is not the case, but more that I made myself less than inclined towards you simply in the hope that all which I felt would fade away.”

Her eyes searched his.

“And did it, Lord Ware?”

His voice was more hoarse now.

“No,” he answered, quietly. “No, Miss Whyte, it did not. Instead, I became deeply angry with my foolishness and deeply jealous of those near to you.”

Miss Whyte caught her breath.

“Lord Silverton?”

“Yes, yes, Lord Silverton,” Geoffrey replied, with a wry smile. “That is why I demanded to know what you thought of him, Miss Whyte. I could see that he was drawn to you and that he might very well be considering you as a potential bride – and my heart was filled with jealousy. I could not simply tell you such things, of course, and thus you thought that I was eager for you to remove yourself from my house.” Shaking his head, he dared to lift his hand to her cheek, to brush his fingers across her skin. “Miss Whyte – Ann – it was for the very opposite reason that I asked you such questions. I could not bear to see you wed to another, even though I refused to even admit my feelings!”

She closed her eyes for a few moments and Geoffrey stilled, suddenly a little afraid that he had said too much and that she was now too overwhelmed to allow him to say anything more. What if she did not return any of his feelings? What if she was relieved to hear him express them, realizing now the truth behind his coolness towards her, but wanted nothing more from him? His heart twisted and his breath quickened as he waited for her to speak, feeling as though she held his future tightly in her hands.

“Lord Ware, you cannot know just how much relief I feel at your words.” Miss Whyte’s eyes opened and she moved a fraction closer, one hand now resting on his shoulder. “I – I have been deeply confused,” she admitted, softly. “I have found myself struggling with all manner of emotions. Indeed, I too have become angry with my own heart, finding myself frustrated and upset that I should feel such a swell of emotion when you are near me – particularly when I had such a poor impression of you!” She laughed at his wry expression, the sound seeming to make the candles burn a little brighter for a few moments. “But it has lingered on in my heart, Lord Ware. I have found myself comparing others to you, wondering why I felt nothing for them, and becoming upset when my heart continued to consider you. That, I think, is why I felt such a deep upset upon hearing the argument with Lord Stratham.” Her eyes darkened for a moment. “I thought that there was a side to your character which I had not yet seen, a side which would bring me nothing but distress should I ever permit myself to become close to you.”

“But you know now that it was nothing but a bit of playacting,” Geoffrey interjected, finding himself almost desperate to hear her state that she knew for certain he was not that sort of fellow. “You know that I am not an enemy of the King, nor a gentleman with a temper so furious that he would spurn his dearest friend.”

“And that knowledge has filled my heart with such overwhelming relief that I can barely express it,” she replied, her other hand remaining still over his heart. “Lord Ware, in the same way that you have fought to hide what you feel from me, I confess that I have felt very much the same – although, mayhap, with greater confusion!” She laughed and Geoffrey smiled back down at her, his whole being now burning with both relief and anticipation. “When you apologized to me about not only being absent from both my dances, but for your manner toward me, I found you so very open and vulnerable that my eyes saw you in entirely a new light. I am glad to say, Lord Ware, that such a light has not faded from you and, if I were to be honest, I would tell you that my heart cannot seem to let you go.”

It was entirely without hesitation that Geoffrey then slid his arms about her waist and pulled her closer, glad when she went into his embrace without hesitation. She fitted there perfectly, as though she had always been meant to be in his arms, and Geoffrey felt his heart sing with delight. He did not kiss her, even though he ached to do so, but instead simply looked down into her face and drew in a long, steadying breath.

“My dear Ann,” he murmured, as she smiled up at him. “Would you permit me to court you? I know it will be most untoward given that you currently reside in my house and, no doubt, there will be many from the ton who will lift an eyebrow, but I do not care about what society may say!”

Miss Whyte’s expression was one of utter contentment, her smile a little wistful as if she were already thinking of what they might share.

“I would be glad to accept, Lord Ware,” she promised, softly. “Although I must hope you will not mind if I write to my brother?”

“I shall do so myself,” he stated, not wanting her to have to inform her brother about something that he ought to do himself, “as is my responsibility. Although, Ann, I pray you will not want to wait for his reply before you accept my courtship?”

She laughed softly, her eyes twinkling.

“I fear that I would grow much too impatient, Lord Ware,” she answered, his arms still about her. “No, I shall not need to wait for a reply. I accept your courtship without hesitation, just as I am certain that my brother will not have any concerns regarding it either.” Her expression clouded for a moment, her smile fading. “Although there is still Lord Silverton and Lord Hyndford to consider, is there not?”

Geoffrey frowned, his happiness dimming for a few moments.

“Yes,” he answered truthfully, “there is.” Biting his lip, he considered quietly. “I hate to do such a thing, for Lord Silverton has long been a friend, but I must find a way to have him admit to his wrongdoing and his present loyalties.” A spear of pain crashed through him, but Geoffrey remained steadfast. Regardless of whether or not Lord Silverton was his friend, Geoffrey had a responsibility to the Crown. “I do not know whether Lord Hyndford can be persuaded to do so also.” He shrugged one shoulder. “In fact, I am not even certain of how I might encourage Lord Silverton to speak the truth!”

Miss Whyte tilted her head gently.

“Might I not do so?” she asked, as Geoffrey’s frown only grew. “Surely he would be less inclined to speak honestly with you, given all that he knows of you and your true intentions. Whereas were he to speak to me, then there is no guard on his lips. I am certain that I could find a way to have him speak honestly.”

Geoffrey shook his head.

“This is not your affair, Ann. I could not ask you to do such a thing.”

“But I am offering to do so,” she said, insistently. “There must be a way that I can convince him to be honest with me, and if he were to do so in your hearing, or Lord Stratham’s hearing, then there would be no further need for either you or him to force a confession by other, more difficult means.” Geoffrey hesitated before he replied. It would be wise to use means which would encourage Lord Silverton to speak truthfully rather than to cloak his words in deceit, but still, Geoffrey was reluctant. Miss Whyte had no involvement in this affair, and he did not wish her to become involved in any way. But yet, despite his wishes, Geoffrey could not help but see the wisdom in her suggestion. “I can do whatever it is that is required,” Miss Whyte stated, firmly. “I will not have any need to fear anything, for either you or Lord Stratham will be nearby. All you need to tell me is what I might say to help gain his confidence.” A small, shy smile stretched her lips. “I am not unaware of his interest in me and must hope that it can be used to my advantage.”

That, Geoffrey, considered, was true enough.

“It goes against every instinct in my heart to permit you to do so,” Geoffrey answered, truthfully, “but I do not think there is another way.” Letting out a long breath, he closed his eyes and then nodded. “Very well, my dear Ann. I shall do as you have suggested and see whether or not we can encourage Lord Silverton to tell the truth.”

Miss Whyte beamed at him with evident delight.

“I am certain that we shall have success,” she said, eagerly. “Then, thereafter, there will be nothing to hold us back from our courtship.”

“Nothing to hold us back from each other,” Geoffrey murmured, his heart now swelling with all that he felt as he looked down into her beautiful eyes and brushed his finger lightly under her chin, seeing how she glowed with both contentment and delight. “Indeed, Ann. After this is concluded, there will be nothing to stand in our way. Nothing whatsoever. And I intend to make certain that all of the ton know of my intentions so that no other gentleman will attempt to steal you away.” She giggled, her arms now tight around his neck but Geoffrey still did not drop his head. Despite the growing urge to kiss her, he told himself to hold back so that he would not overwhelm either of them. This closeness was so new, so wonderful, that he did not want to add to it, not yet at least. There would be more wonder, more anticipation and excitement to come, and for the moment, that meant keeping himself just where he was at present and doing nothing more. “I care for you very much, Ann,” he told her, speaking with a careful honesty which made her smile up at him with a gentle expression on her face. “I believe my heart is quite lost to you.”

“As is mine, to you, Lord Ware,” she answered, softly. “In fact, I am quite certain that very soon, it will be lost to you entirely!”

He smiled, pulling her close so that her head rested on his shoulder as his arms settled about her once more.

“I am honored indeed to know it, dear Ann,” he answered her, speaking softly, “and more relieved than you will ever know.”

* * *

“Lord Stratham!”

The gentleman frowned, then his eyes widened as Geoffrey strode towards him, making no secret of the fact that they were acquainted.

“Ware, what are you doing?” he hissed, as Geoffrey drew near. “You and I are meant to be at odds.”

Geoffrey shook his head.

“It is all quite done for,” he said, simply. “Lord Hyndford is aware of our ruse. I do not think he will ever bring me to any meeting, as we had hoped. I am aware that he had the intention or at least, thoughts of doing so, but now that he knows the truth, I am quite certain he will either continue to play the part of my friend, so that he might mayhap, seek out information for himself, or instead simply keep me at arm’s length.”

Lord Stratham frowned, the scar on his cheek appearing a little more red today, in the bright afternoon sunshine.

“I do not understand what you mean. How does he know it to be a falsehood?”

“Lord Silverton.” Geoffrey waited until the shock had faded slightly from Lord Stratham’s eyes before he continued. “Lord Silverton, it seems, is in cahoots with Lord Hyndford. They are of one and the same mind. I had not suspected him at all, not at least because he had come to sit with me having overheard some of my conversation with Lord Hyndford! He had appeared to be almost horrified at what he had heard, and it was because of that shock being so evidenced that I felt myself obliged to tell him everything.” He grimaced, a little angry at his actions. “I ought to have been more cautious. I am not ashamed nor reluctant to admit my own mistakes, but as I said –”

“He has been a friend for a long time,” Lord Stratham interjected, as Geoffrey nodded grimly. “It is not something that you need hold against yourself, however. I quite understand. It would not be the first time that a friend turned out to be a foe.” Sighing, he looked back at Geoffrey steadily. “Then it is all at an end?”

“Not entirely,” Geoffrey replied, quickly launching into an explanation about what had been spoken of between himself and Miss Whyte. “And therefore, she intends to find a way to have Lord Silverton state what he thinks or knows and, in doing so, confess the truth to us.”

Lord Stratham’s brows lifted.

“That is a trifle dangerous for Miss Whyte, is it not?”

“It is,” Geoffrey admitted, “but she would not have me do otherwise. She was quite determined and, the longer I thought about it, the more I realized that her plan makes great sense. After all, it is not as though either Lord Silverton or Lord Hyndford would have any inclination to speak to me about such matters.”

“But with Miss Whyte, they might be a little less guarded,” Lord Stratham finished, nodding slowly. “I presume both of them are…” he hesitated, tilting his head to one side gently. “I presume they are both inclined towards Miss Whyte?”

Geoffrey grinned. He had no concerns in that regard any longer, not after what had passed between himself and the lady.

“Yes, they are both quite eager for her company,” he replied. “Indeed, I am quite certain that both are considering courting her, although I am very happy indeed that she would refuse them both, should they ask!”

A knowing look came into Lord Stratham’s eye, but he did not say a word as regards Miss Whyte and Geoffrey’s connection.

“That is good,” he answered. “Then I suppose we must consider what it is that we are to do and how we are to go about it. After all, Miss Whyte will need to know what to say and what to ask and where precisely she might have such conversations!” His expression became a little troubled. “There is much to consider.”

“Indeed,” Geoffrey replied, feeling the heavy burden of responsibility settle on his shoulders. “But thus far, I have come up with a plan.”

Lord Stratham lifted one eyebrow.

“Oh?”

“I intend to hold a ball,” Geoffrey replied, grinning. “And you, Stratham, are formally invited – as are Lord Hyndford and Lord Silverton.”

A broad smile began to stretch across Lord Stratham’s face.

“A capital idea, Ware,” he said, now looking more encouraged. “Let us hope they will accept!”

Geoffrey chuckled.

“There is no need for hope, Stratham,” he told his friend. “For they have both already accepted! Now, all we need do is think, plan and pray that all goes as we hope.”

“Indeed,” Stratham replied, a spark in his eyes as he began to let the beginnings of a plan form in his mind. “It all relies on Miss Whyte. I do hope that she is prepared for such a responsibility.”

Thinking back to when he and Miss Whyte had stood together in the kitchen, when she had looked up into his face and when he had held her close, Geoffrey let a small, confident smile cross his face.

“I am sure that she is,” he stated, with absolute assurance. “The lady will do well. I am certain of it.”