Free Carola Dunn by Lady in the Briars

intimacy of first name terms, she did not know Teresa well enough to trust her with her shameful story. Lady Graylin, lively and intrepid, would think her a ridiculous coward.
    “He must not blame himself,” she repeated helplessly.
    “I wish he had not interrupted before I had time to explain properly. Of course we do not expect you to give up your present position for nothing. A governess and tutor combined deserves higher remuneration than a lady’s companion, that goes without saying.”
    “That is not why I hesitated,” Rebecca protested, then she realized that Teresa was teasing her in an effort to rally her spirits. She managed to smile. “I promise you I am not so mercenary. But I need time to think.”
    “Time is what we do not have, my dear. We must leave the day after tomorrow, with you or without. Perhaps talking to John will help you make up your mind. Will you see him?”
    “Oh dear, I must look a shocking fright!” She slipped off the bed and peered into the mirror on her dressing table. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face blotchy, and her hair escaping wildly from its coiled braids.
    Teresa poured some water from the ewer into the basin. Rebecca splashed her face then poked a few hairpins into the disarray above.
    “That will do very well,” said Teresa firmly. “He is far too concerned to notice your appearance. I do hope he can allay your apprehension, for the more I think about it, the more I see that we shall find it difficult to manage without you.”
    John was waiting on the landing, leaning against the balustrade with his back to her. Dressed in black, in accordance with the dictates of the long-discredited George Brummell, his tall, broad-shouldered form was an impressive silhouette against the lights in the hall below.
    Rebecca went to stand beside him.
    Without looking at her, he said quietly, “Forgive me.”
    “There is nothing to forgive.” She laid her hand on his arm, feeling the restless energy pent in the taut muscles. “I must learn to overcome my stupid sensitivity.”
    “You have nothing to fear from me.” He turned, his dark eyes serious. “Never. Not ever, I promise you. I cannot deny that I have my faults, but brutality to women is not one of them. Will you come?”
    His gentleness, his wry smile, were irresistible.
    “I will come,” she said.
    His natural exuberance won through. “You can come out of hiding, Teresa,” he whooped. “She’ll go with us!”
    Lady Parr’s reaction to the news was quite the reverse. After a long tirade on ingratitude, she prophesied dire consequences. Rebecca listened patiently to her reproaches, but John stormed off in search of his brother.
    “Tom,” he cried, bursting into the billiard room, “you must do something about Rebecca’s fortune.”
    “Devil take it, you’ve ruined my shot.” Tom straightened with an indignant glare. “Just when I was about to get my revenge over Graylin.”
    “Rebecca’s fortune?” asked Andrew, regarding the table thoughtfully and chalking his cue. “Do I gather that Miss Nuthall is not going to accompany us to Russia?” He bent over the green baize and took careful aim.
    “Yes, she is, but there’s no knowing how long you will need her, and it is intolerable that she should be dependent on such as Lady Parr.”
    “Just what am I supposed to do about this mythical fortune?” enquired Tom sourly, watching Andrew score a cannon.
    “I gather her uncle receives the income until she is twenty-five, unless she marries. That seems scarcely just when she no longer resides with him. There must be some way to ensure that the money goes to her.”
    “I suppose I might have my lawyer look into it. There! A hazard! All even again. But don’t mention it to Rebecca for there’s no knowing what may come of it.”
    “Thanks, old fellow,” said John with a sigh of satisfaction.
     

Chapter 7
     
    The bustling port of Kingston upon Hull merged with the grey overcast as the brig Daisy 0 sailed out