“I know. You’re the best sister a girl could ever wish for. It’s just…”
Audrey patiently waited for her to gather her thoughts.
Mia took a deep breath. “My feelings on marriage have changed.” There. She’d said it, and contrary to what she’d believed, her world did not collapse.
“Well, that’s certainly a change from the young woman who first came to London. Would you care to share why you’ve had this change of opinion?”
Mia was conflicted. She wanted to tell her sister about how her feelings for Lord Easton had changed so drastically, but to do so, she would have to tell Audrey what happened at Vauxhall Gardens. She was afraid her sister would be most displeasedwith her, and that upset her more than anything. She couldn’t bear to see disappointment in Audrey’s eyes.
Audrey reached out and squeezed her hand, but gave her the time to respond.
Mia took a deep breath. “Last night, something happened.”
Audrey’s eyes widened, but she didn’t interrupt.
Tears began to pool in Mia’s eyes.
“Dearest, please don’t cry. Just tell me what happened.”
“I’m afraid you’ll be so disappointed in me. I’ve been trying very hard lately to act like a proper young lady.”
“And you’ve been doing a fine job.”
Mia nodded and continued. “When we all were walking to the tightrope area, I was reaching into my reticule when two young boys ran past me, knocking the handkerchief I’d retrieved out of my hand. It was the one Grace gave me for Christmas, and I didn’t want it to be trampled, so I bent over to pick it up, and that’s when someone else bumped into me, and I landed in the dirt.”
“Oh my goodness. I had no idea. I’m sorry I didn’t see you fall.”
“Audrey, it was no one’s fault. I wasn’t hurt…well, maybe my pride, but that’s all. When I went to get up, a hand reached down to help me regain my feet. I grasped it and came face-to-face with a gentleman with piercing blue eyes who appeared concerned. I thanked him for helping me to my feet and told him I had to catch up with my party. The crowd was so dense, I couldn’t see any of you anymore.”
“I’m glad you weren’t hurt, but there’s nothing to be worried about. It was very nice of him to help you.”
Mia nodded. “Yes. That’s what I thought as well. But that’s not all.”
“It’s not?”
“No. When I realized I’d lost sight of everyone, I explained that my party was going to watch the tightrope walkers. He said he knew a shortcut that would reunite me with all of you in no time. Oh, Audrey, I was so foolish and walked away with him.”
“I did not see you with anyone else. Who was the gentleman?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t get his name. Much to my horror, there was no shortcut, and it became clear very quickly what his intentions were.”
Audrey’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, no! Did he hurt you?”
Mia shook her head. “He grabbed me and tried to kiss me, but I remembered the story Lord Berkeley had once told me about a gentleman’s fragile spot.”
“I’m not sure I like where this is going.”
“I wasn’t going to let him hurt me, so I rammed my knee up, and he collapsed to the ground. As soon as he let go of me, I ran, but I wasn’t sure which path was the right one to get back to everyone. I was running blindly until I literally ran into Lord Easton. I panicked at first, thinking it was another attacker, but he was so kind and gentle. He calmed me down and reassured me I was safe before he walked me back to the group. That’s when you saw me.” Tears were flowing down Mia’s cheeks. “I’m so very sorry. Can you forgive my lapse in judgment?”
“Oh my darling girl, I hate that you had to endure such behavior, but you used your wits and got out of a very bad situation.”
“I’m sorry I ever went with him.”
“I can imagine, but you used your instincts and got away unscathed. This time, you were lucky.”
“Yes. I know that.”
Audrey continued. “There are unscrupulous gentlemen who take advantage of young women, and you mustn’t put your trust in people you don’t know, even if it seems like they’re offeringyou help. Do you understand? Sometimes evil wears the most beautiful face.”