As movement proved impossible, Leonora tried to think of something to say, an excuse that might encourage her body to act, to move away. Yet, her mind seemed equally frozen, blind panic all it saw and felt. If her rational mind had indeed been capable of rational thoughts in that moment, it might have encouraged her to see that no true threat lingered nearby. After all, she was not alone with a stranger in a darkened hallway, but instead outside in Lord Archibald’s gardens, countless guests milling about. Many were still skating across the frozen lake or tossing snowballs at one another while others promenaded across the snow-covered lawns. Indeed, she was quite safe here where she was. Unfortunately, her mind was incapable of realizing that simple fact, allowing her emotions to run away with her, to linger upon the fear that had been her constant companion these past few months.
A small eternity passed as they simply stood there looking at one another, and although Leonora was not aware of any conscious thoughts, she could not help but notice something…rather odd about the man looking back at her. Indeed, there was something in his eyes that did not speak of a threat or danger. Yes, she could see emotions, deep, powerful emotions simmering just below the surface. Something was clearly upsetting him, angering him. And although Leonora did not know what that was, she suddenly had the strangest sensation of not looking upon a threat or an enemy, but instead…an ally? Could that be? How could he possibly know anything about her? Before today, they had never even met. Leonora had never even heard of Phineas’ old friend from school.
Leonora could almost feel his eyes upon her and wondered if perhaps, in some odd way, he could read her thoughts. Indeed, there was something in those gray, almost silvery eyes of his that echoed within herself. Fear still lingered in her chest, but it was that familiar, constant fear that never quite seemed to leave, not one caused by an imminent threat.
And then, to Leonora’s utter shock, Lord Pemberton leaned toward her—almost imperceptibly—and said in a voice Leonora knew she would never forget, “Tell me who hurt you, and I’ll put a bullet between his eyes.”
Leonora could not say if it was the words themselves or the deep sincerity in his voice that stunned her the most. Her eyes widened in utter surprise and she felt her jaw drop as she continued to stare at him, momentarily wondering if he was nothing more than a mirage. Had she heard him correctly? Had he truly said those words? Was she finally after all this time losing her mind now?
As her eyes looked closer once again, seeking his, seeking to understand, Leonora saw that same sincerity she had heard in his voice. Indeed, he had meant what he had said. Still, what had prompted him to say it? How could he possibly have known that…?
And then something odd, but wonderful happened.
Leonora felt her rational mind reawakening, elbowing those overwhelming emotions aside. Her gaze narrowed in a most familiar way. She found herself looking closer, questions springing up in her mind as they had many times before when she had been driven by nothing else but curiosity itself. Her teeth sank into her lower lip as she cocked her head to the side as she always did when she was observing a most fascinating behavior.
Lord Pemberton remained where he was, his feet firmly planted upon the snowy ground. He held his arms linked behind his back, his shoulders drawn back, his chin lifted. He held her gaze, something insistent in those gray eyes; blessedly, he did not move. He remained where he was, and Leonora suddenly knew that he was doing so to avoid frightening her. How could he know? Was he equally adept at reading another’s behavior, their facial expressions? Was she an open book to him?
The thought unsettled her. Nevertheless, after everything that had happened, the notion that someone could simply look at her and know felt strangely comforting. It seemed there was no necessity for her to speak any words at all, was there? Or was she mistaken? Had she truly misunderstood him, and he knew nothing of what lived in her heart?
Still regarding him curiously, Leonora finally managed a reply. “You’re mistaken,” she stammered, her voice still unsteady, panic still lurking on the fringes of her mind. “No one—” Oddly enough, the lie would not leave her lips. Indeed, she had lied to most of her family, unable to tell them the truth, not wishing to hurt them or herself by digging up this ugly moment of her life. Surprisingly though, lying to this stranger seemed…impossible. Was it simply because somehow she knew that he would not believe her? He would know it to be a lie, would he not?
“Lady Leonora!” Lord Sedgwick’s voice drifted to her ears from farther down the slope, and Leonora turned to find him striding toward her. “How wonderful to see you here!” A wide smile lingered upon his face as the young lord strode closer. Indeed, they had conversed every now and then, had shared a dance or two in the past. Still, now, the world was a different place. At least, for Leonora.
Unfortunately, Lord Sedgwick did not know that.
Fresh panic surged through her at the thought of him stepping closer, of him coming to stand right in front of her, close enough for her to smell the soap upon his skin and the scent of tea upon his breath. Her hands began to tremble, and she felt as though her knees would buckle at any moment. She felt completely powerless, angry at herself and her inability to act, to stand up for herself. Unfortunately, it was not enough, not enough to break this paralysis that had befallen her.
And so, Leonora simply stood there and stared as Lord Sedgwick headed toward her.
The sound of boots crunching upon the blanket of snow behind her suddenly drew Leonora’s attention and she found Lord Pemberton stride past her and toward Lord Sedgwick. He signaled to the approaching man and once they had drawn closer, she saw words drift from his lips, though she could not make them out.
Moments passed as the two gentlemen conversed quietly.
Leonora watched, her breath still coming quickly. That sense of paralysis no longer felt as suffocating as it had before. Again, curiosity piqued, and she wondered what was happening, what had prompted Lord Pemberton to intercept Lord Sedgwick.
Before long, Lord Sedgwick cast her a kind smile, respectfully inclined his head to her and then…walked away. Leonora exhaled a sigh of utter relief, her body suddenly feeling weakened after the tension that had held her in its grip before it evaporated into thin air as though it had never been.
Lord Pemberton once more returned to the very spot he had occupied before, careful to maintain the same distance between them. It was as though he knew! But how could he?
Once more, his gray eyes turned to her, softness in them all of a sudden, replacing that deep anger, fury even, she had seen there before. “Breathe,” he whispered, his voice resonating with kindness, the sound of it oddly comforting.
Realizing only then, that she had all but been holding her breath, Leonora sucked in a lungful of air, her chest heaving up and down as her body rejoiced.
Once her pulse had calmed, Leonora returned her attention to the odd specimen across from her. Indeed, Lord Pemberton seemed to be a man like no other. Never had she met anyone as perceptive as he. Still, questions remained, and she wondered if she would dare ask them as they continued to watch one another. Indeed, Lord Pemberton did not speak another word, but remained where he was, patiently waiting as though knowing that she needed some time to gather her wits.
The world around them all but disappeared as Leonora’s heart and mind focused on the stranger looking back at her. Finally, she managed to speak. “How did you know?” It was no more than a whisper, and yet, it was a start.