Chapter 7

A big black ball of fur came storming at Rebekah. Before she had time to react, the big ball knocked her right on her derriere.

She tried to catch her breath, and at the same time a slobbering tongue swiped across her nose.

"What the devil!"

"Black down! Oh sir, I am so sorry. Madam, are you all right?"

"Oh dear. Nathaniel, help."

Someone was hastily apologizing, Lord Greystoke was shouting, his wife was pleading with him, and all Rebekah could do was sit and laugh. Now that she knew the big black furball was a dog, she petted the animal and tried to calm him down.

"Please forgive me, I am so sorry, my lord. Down! Black!" The servant trembled as he tried to make things right.

"Rebekah. Are you hurt?" Serena asked.

"I'm all right."

The creature was jerked from her. "Take this beast back to the kitchen! Or better yet, outside!"

"Yes, my lord. Immediately, my lord."

Two servants hurried to obey, dragging the dog away. Nathaniel held a hand out to her, while Serena fretted.

"Are you all right, Miss Hayes?"

"Yes." She used Lord Greystoke's arm to help pull herself up.

Serena looked worried. "Miss Hayes, are you sure you're all right?"

"It was just a dog," Rebekah replied. A very energetic dog.

"Nathaniel! What is going on out here?" Everyone turned at the woman's voice.

"Hello, Aunt."

So much for first impressions. Lord Greystoke had told Rebekah about his aunt living in Aaron's house. Rebekah took a quick glance of her surroundings. Aaron was nowhere in sight.

Nathaniel brushed the older woman's cheek with a kiss.

The woman's eyes passed over her to Lady Greystoke. "Serena. I'm glad you made my nephew bring you along. How are things progressing?"

Serena placed her hand over her big belly. "Wonderful. He or she is kicking up a storm."

"Where are your manners, Nathaniel?"

"Aunt, I've brought someone for you to meet."

The woman swerved her gaze from Nathaniel, straight to Rebekah.

"Aunt Penelope, this is Rebekah Hayes. Miss Hayes, this is Lady Penelope Blackburn, my aunt."

Rebekah dipped a curtsy and hoped she was doing it right. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. Uh, my lady."

"I must apologize, Miss Hayes, for the beast that attacked you. He should not be allowed to have run of the house. Are you all right?"

"Yes, ma'am. Uh, my lady. I will admit he caught me off guard." She gave the woman a smile.

"Please come into the drawing room. Nathaniel, help Miss Hayes into the drawing room and see there are no more incidents. I'll not have this young woman break a leg before I get to know her." The woman tucked Serena's arm in hers and led the way.

Lady Blackburn was pleasant enough. Rebekah felt sure this woman gave orders to everyone in her path. Nathaniel gave her a smile and held out his arm. She felt foolish taking it, just to walk into the next room.

"Sit over here, dear." The woman pointed to a chair next to the sofa where Serena was sitting. "Are you sure you're all right? That beast knocked you down."

Rebekah smiled. He hadn't hurt her. Not really. Not even her pride. "I'm fine."

"Berthright, have Susanna bring tea."

"Yes, my lady."

"It is a long trip from Greystoke Manor. Do you need to rest, Serena?"

"I believe I'd like tea first."

"Very well."

Nathaniel strode to the hearth and stood there. Rebekah supposed that was what lords did.

"Now, Miss Hayes. Tell me about yourself."

She shot a panicked look to Nathaniel. He simply gave her a nod of encouragement.

"Well, uh, my name is Rebekah."

"A lovely name, my dear."

"Thank you. I live with my father in Brighton." She glanced to Nathaniel again. He remained quiet. Serena patted her hand, giving her courage to continue. "Our house is much smaller than this one. My father is not an aristocrat, but my mother was."

"Oh. Has your mother passed?"

Just then a knock sounded at the door. Nathaniel walked to the set of doors and opened them, allowing the maid to bring in the refreshments.

"Thank you, Susanna."

"Cook made some lemon tarts, my lady."

"Perfect."

"Her lemon tarts are delicious." Serena snatched one from the tray.

"Rebekah, would you care for a lemon tart?"

She was too nervous to eat. She shook her head. "No, thank you."

"Well then, we'll have them after the tea has steeped. Now, we were discussing your mother."

"Yes, ma'am. Mama passed a few years ago."

"I'm sorry. It is very difficult when one loses a mother."

"Yes, ma— my lady."

"What is your mother's name?"

Lord Greystoke hadn't asked her that question. "Her surname before she married Papa was Holdsworth."

"I remember a Lord Holdsworth. I'm afraid he has passed also."

"I never knew him."

"A grandfather not knowing his granddaughter? That was his loss, not yours. Tell me, Miss Hayes, what brings you to London?"

"I suppose this is where I come in." Nathaniel stepped forward. "I have a tale to tell, Aunt. It is a long one. I hope you will hear the all of it."

"Of course, I will. Doesn't mean I won't ask questions along the way."

Rebekah chewed her lip. The woman caught her doing it.

"First off, should I be worried?

"No, Aunt. But we will seek your guidance, as we did with Serena."

The women exchanged a glance. Rebekah knew there was an underlying message between them.

"Do you remember the trip Aaron took to Brighton a few weeks ago, Aunt? While Aaron was there, he met Mr. Hayes." Lord Greystoke moved his arm toward her. "Miss Hayes' father has a contract with Aaron."

"Well, spit it out, nephew."

"A marriage contract."

The older woman's eyes grew wide. "A what?"

"Oh dear," Serena muttered.

"Yes, Aunt. I said a marriage contract."

The woman stared at Rebekah, making her desperate to find a hiding place. The lady controlled her surprise well. Rebekah wished she knew what the woman was thinking.

"Go on."

"The contract has Aaron's promise to marry Miss Hayes."

"The devil—" The older woman took a deep breath as if to compose herself.

Rebekah wished she had that kind of control over her emotions.

"Forgive me, my dear. I can be outspoken. I'm sure you can understand my surprise. However, I am wondering at your part in this Nathaniel."

"Mr. Hayes only had the name Greystoke. He sent the Earl of Greystoke a letter apprising me of the situation. I spoke to Aaron. He went to see Mr. Hayes. Aaron was under the impression the matter was settled." Lord Greystoke left out the part of Aaron not seeing her father. Maybe Aaron didn't tell him.

Lady Blackburn studied Rebekah. "How does one settle a marriage contract?"

"Aaron came to see me," Rebekah explained, "and we both agreed the contract was nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Neither of us wanted to get married. Not to each other. So, we agreed the matter over."

"Then why do I get the feeling the matter is far from over?"

She looked to Nathaniel for help.

"Aaron claims he does not remember signing the contract."

"It's not like Aaron to forget something so serious as a contract." The woman held Rebekah's gaze while she spoke.

"Agreed. But it is his signature on the contract," Nathaniel stated.

"You're sure?" The woman's gaze never left Rebekah. She now knew how a rabbit felt, just before being served up for supper.

"Aaron has identified his signature."

"Hmmm."

Rebekah had no idea how she remained seated when she wanted to run screaming from the woman's scrutiny.

"What is the conundrum?"

Nathaniel cleared his throat. "Miss Hayes has changed her mind."

A long—very long—moment passed before Lady Blackburn spoke. "Have you Miss Hayes?"

Serena reached over, placing her hand on Rebekah's "Well, that is to say … yes."

"I see. What does Aaron have to say about this?"

Nathaniel spoke first. "He doesn't know, yet."

"That is why you're here, Miss Hayes?"

"Yes." She hated lying to this woman.

Aaron was supposed to be in the hot seat.

Not her.