Page 17 of Redemption

“We’ve not even been married six months, and you’re already taking me to task for one of my idiosyncrasies,” Arianna said with a sniff of false anger at the teasing note in her husband’s voice.

“It is those very idiosyncrasies that make me love you all the more, my darling.”

As Rhea observed the couple’s playful banter, she noted Arianna’s fear had completely disappeared. In its place was a happiness that Rhea envied. The moment the emotion swept through her, Rhea viciously destroyed it. Arianna was lucky, and she was content to be happy for her sister without feeling the need for a similar happiness.

§ § §

The stairs and lobby of the Lyceum Theatre were crowded as Rhea followed Blake and Arianna out onto the sidewalk. With a confident gesture, Blake pointed toward their carriage, which was a short distance away. Cheerfully, he urged his wife and Rhea along the sidewalk toward the vehicle. In the process of moving through the throng, Rhea found herself falling behind. As she continued to make her way through the crowd, she bumped into a man moving past her. Thrown off balance, Rhea stumbled backward into a solid object and a strong arm wrapped around her waist to steady her.

“Careful now, we don’t want you to end up on the sidewalk,” the stranger said cheerfully as he helped Rhea regain her balance. As she brushed aside a wisp of hair that had fallen into her eyes, Rhea turned to face her good Samaritan.

“Thank you,” she replied as she regained her composure. “I’m afraid I wasn’t paying attention.”

“I think you’re being too kind to the boor who pushed his way past you a moment ago.” The man suddenly grinned. “However, I shall be eternally grateful for his rude behavior as it presented me with the opportunity to introduce myself. Colonel Dewhurst, at your service—miss?”

“Rhea Bennett,” she said with a restrained smile at his jovial temperament. He repeated her name as if testing the sound of it on his tongue. He directed another broad grin at her as a pretty woman appeared at his side.

“Really, George, must you accost every young woman you meet?” The words were uttered with affectionate exasperation. Dewhurst turned his head toward the woman before looking back at Rhea.

“You must forgive my sister. She thinks I am too forward.” Dewhurst waggled his eyebrows at her as he turned his head toward his sister. “Matilda, this is Miss Bennett, who I saved from falling.”

“How do you do, Miss Bennett. I take it you are unharmed.” Matilda Dewhurst nodded in Rhea’s direction as her expression indicated sisterly surprise at her brother’s gallantry.

“Thanks to the colonel’s quick action I am quite free of injury.” Rhea smiled at the woman before casting a glance in Dewhurst’s direction. “I am quite grateful for his assistance.”

The sound of someone calling her name made Rhea look over her shoulder. Blake was pushing through a stream of theatergoers in his effort to reach her. She waved to her brother-in-law then returned her attention back to her new acquaintances.

“I must be going. Thank you again for your help, Colonel Dewhurst. I am truly grateful.” Rhea extended her hand and the gentleman brushed his lips over her fingertips.

“It was my pleasure.” His grip firm, he refused to let go of her hand. “Would you allow me to call on you tomorrow?”

“I’m not certain —”

“The day after then, unless of course the gentleman approaching will object.”

“Blake?” Rhea looked at the colonel with puzzlement before she laughed. With another glance over her shoulder, Rhea shook her head. “No, the viscount is my brother-in-law.”

“Then say you will allow me to call on you.”

“I really don’t think —”

“Surely you’ll not deny your rescuer the chance to ensure you are fully recovered from your harrowing experience.” The playful plea made her laugh again.

“Very well, tomorrow morning. Sherrington House.” Rhea pulled her hand free of Colonel Dewhurst’s grasp, and he bowed slightly.

“I shall count the hours,” he quipped. Rhea laughed at his roguish manner. Still smiling, she said goodbye and turned to make her way through the crowd. A few seconds later, she reached her brother-in-law.

“We were worried about you.” Blake’s voice held the slightest note of rebuke, and Rhea touched his arm in an apologetic manner.

“I’m sorry, Blake. The crowd was so thick, and I almost fell. Colonel Dewhurst saved me.” At her explanation, she looked over her shoulder in the direction of the colonel who was already guiding his sister in the opposite direction. As Blake’s gaze followed hers, an apologetic expression swept over the viscount’s face.

“Forgive me for chastising you, Rhea. It was simply that Arianna was frantic when we reached the carriage and you were no longer with us.”

“I’m sorry I worried you both.”

“All is well,” he said as relief eased his frown into a pleasant smile.

In moments they reached the carriage, and with Blake’s assistance, Rhea climbed into the coach to see Arianna’s cheeks were wet with tears. Appalled she’d upset her sister, Rhea sat opposite her and caught Arianna’s hands in hers.

“I’m sorry I made you worry so, dearest.”

“What happened to you? One minute you were with us and the next…”

“I almost took a tumble,” she said with a frown as she studied her sister’s ashen features. It was unlike Arianna to exhibit such distraught behavior. “A Colonel Dewhurst rescued me from harm.”

“Colonel Dewhurst?” Arianna turned to her husband as Blake closed the carriage door and tapped on the ceiling of the vehicle to notify the driver to head home. “Do you know him, Blake?”

“Not that I recall,” her brother-in-law shrugged as he met his wife’s panicked gaze. The Viscount wrapped his arm around Arianna and pulled her close. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? This is not like you at all.”

Arianna didn’t answer him, and simply buried her face in her husband’s chest. Over his wife’s head, Blake stared helplessly at Rhea. With a shake of her head, she indicated she had no explanation for his wife’s behavior. Her brother-in-law turned his attention back to his wife, his voice inaudible as he sought to comfort Arianna. Rhea stared at the couple for a long moment before she looked out the carriage window.

No doubt she was to blame for her sister’s anguish. If she’d not gone to Melton Park last night she wouldn’t have needed to tell Arianna about Percy. Arianna hadn’t said it out loud, but Rhea knew her sister well enough to know she was worried Percy Rockwood would lead Ruckley right to them. Rhea closed her eyes for a moment. She would have done anything to spare her sister pain. This morning when she’d shared her news, Rhea had expected Arianna to be upset. But her sister’s reaction was far more extreme than she’d expected, and it worried Rhea.

Arianna had been in such a state of sheer panic this morning she’d nearly fainted. Rhea could recall only one other time when her sister had been so irrational and emotional. Tension streaked through her body, and her muscles locked up in a painful manner. Pregnant—Arianna was pregnant. It was the only explanation for sister’s excitable state and wan appearance.

It was apparent she’d not told Blake yet, and the fact troubled Rhea. Why hadn’t her sister told her husband she was with child? As the carriage rolled to a halt, Arianna straightened upright and accepted Blake’s handkerchief to dry her tears. Moments later, they were inside the house. In silence, Rhea watched her brother-in-law help Arianna up the stairs. At the earliest opportunity, Rhea intended to ask her sister to explain why she’d not told Blake she was carrying his child.