Free The Aristocrat's Lady (Love Inspired Historical) by Mary Moore Page A

truth, the thought of going caused her no little trepidation. The crowds were a serious threat to her well-being, and she would need all her courage to go. She had accepted her infirmity, though she confessed to sadness over the decision she had to make for a solitary future.
    No, Toby would not accept a trip to Parliament without a fight. And she knew she would have to face herown deeply buried fears if she truly wished to hear Devlin’s speech. Yet she decided it was worth the risk. She would know if his speech were for some selfish topic only for the rich and spoiled, or whether he had more depth than he showed the world.
    Nicole knew people rarely showed anything other than what they appeared to be in ballrooms. She herself was a prime example! But she could not help but notice that many were so selfish and greedy on the outside, so delving deeper did not seem necessary.
    She was also more than a little put out. Devlin would not even bother to tell her the topic of his speech; he assumed she would not be interested. But Nicole knew that taking his seat in Parliament seriously, assuming it was seriously, already made him vastly different from most. This might be the only opportunity she had to really know him. Yes, it was a risk, but one she would take.
     
    “Lady Nick, it would be too dangerous and you know it!” Toby was not in a good mood. “Toby, I do know it but…” She hated the infirmity that had to be considered before every decision. “Yes, I know it, but this is important to me. Toby, I sometimes think you know me better than anyone else. Can you not understand why this is so important?”
    She could feel Toby’s frustration. It was stronger than she had realized.
    “Sure I know why!” She heard the hardness in his voice and waited for…she knew not what. “It’s for ’im. You’re willing to risk everything for ’im!”
    His forcefulness cowed her somewhat. “Toby, please do not be angry at me. You have heard enough between us to know I am happy in his company. But I must know his mettle. He only shows me what he wants me to see. This is my chance to see if he is…more.”
    Toby barked, “You can’t see anything!” He paced back and forth.
    She knew it would be a battle royal to convince him. “Toby, do not worry…”
    “ You are blind! Miss Nick. Tell me ’ow I can ’elp but worry?”
    She was shocked at his outburst. Her eyes filled with tears. He’d finally said what they usually avoided saying.
    He stopped, breathing heavily, and then he broke down. “I’m sorry, Lady Nick, truly I am. I never shoulda spoke to you like that. I jest get so scared.” He dropped down on his knees before her and spoke in his usual gentle manner. “Why can’t you jest tell the guv’nor the truth about your sight?” Nicole could hear him clear his throat to hide the tears gathering in his own eyes. “Missy, if you was ever to get ’urt on my watch, I…would die, I would jest die.”
    A tear trickled down Nicole’s cheek. She wiped it away. “Toby,” she said softly, “you must not apologize. You are my friend, my very dear friend. You may speak to me of anything on your heart. I am sorry I have been such a trial lately. I have been so selfish.”
    “Aw, Lady Nick, don’t. You’re not a trial. Say anything, rake me over the coals, but don’t go all cold onme. I’ll train somebody else to take care of you, I swear, but don’t freeze me out. I’m begging, my lady.”
    Nicole’s heart thawed at the words of her beloved friend. “Toby, I am the one who should be apologizing. I know you are only worried for my safety. You, more than anyone, know how much what I cannot see scares me to death. Other than the places I have memorized, I feel paralyzed for fear of falling or being caught up in a crowd without you. I have nightmares about it quite often.” Her voice became very small. “I try to make things work, being…blind, but sometimes I wish I could just forget about it. I fear I still