“Why do you say that? What about her is so different from you that it can’t work?”
“She doesn’t understand my priorities,” Levi explained. “She doesn’t understand why it was so important for me to figure out what was going on with my cousin.”
“Charles?”
“He’s the one who has been spreading these lies, defaming my character. He has to be stopped.”
“And Caroline doesn’t agree?”
“Oh, I don’t think she disagrees, but she seems to think other things ought to take priority. Things like attending balls. And then she has the nerve to say that I am the shallow one because I refuse to put social events ahead of this.”
“Oh, Levi.”
“What? Don’t tell me you agree with her!”
“In this instance, yes, I certainly do. You don’t see it? This has nothing to do with attending balls. This has to do with being willing to compromise whatyouwant in order to do what will make your wife happy. That’s what she’s asking of you. And now, by letting her walk away and not even so much as attempting to bring her back, you’re doing the same thing all over again.”
“Don’t start,” Levi said. “She’s given me an earful about this already. And it isn’t right. I cared for her. I took care of her needs. This was something I needed. She should have been the one to tend tomyneeds this time, and the fact that she couldn’t do it tells me that her expectations were simply too high. I can’t give up everything in the service of protecting a marriage that I never wanted in the first place.”
“I hope you didn’t say that to her. Never wanted in the first place? I know you meant to marry her sister, but I was under the impression you were happy with the way things had turned out. That you believed fate had dealt you a favorable hand after all.”
Levi felt an uncomfortable sensation take root in his gut, for of course, he remembered saying something very similar to Caroline. He had believed it to be true when he’d said it. But now…well, now she was gone, and who knew whether any of it had been for the best? Maybe it would be better if he had never attempted marriage at all. It was hard to believe that he would be worse off than he was now if he had simply remained on his own. After all, his reputation hadn’t really been improved by the whole business—and that had been the goal in the first place.
“If she wanted anything to do with me,” he said conclusively, “she would not have left. And I am not going to chase after her trying to convince her otherwise. She told me herself that she was committed to this course of action—very well, I say. Let her commit. I don’t require her presence, and I will be more than happy to protect my own peace. She’s right. We were never suited, and we will both be happier now that we are apart.”
CHAPTER 36
“Well, if it isn’t my cousin!” Charles said. “What brings you this way today, Levi? I wasn’t expecting guests.”
“You have a guest all the same. May I come inside, please?”
Perhaps something in Levi’s tone alerted Charles to the fact that this was not purely a social call, for he looked suddenly uncomfortable, even guarded. His eyebrows pulled together in concern, and a frown crossed his face. “I’m not sure this is the best time,” he said. “I wish I had known you were eager for a visit before you traveled all the way out here. I might have let you know that it would be better to schedule something—some time we could meet without having to worry about impinging on my other commitments.”
“Your other commitments are going to have to wait, I’m afraid,” Levi said. “This wasn’t really a request.”
“What do you mean, not a request?” There was no mistaking it now—Charles was most definitely aware that something was the matter. His frown deepened, and he even tried to push the door closed a bit, as though to prevent Levi from entering.
Levi was having none of that. He placed a hand on the door so that it couldn’t be closed in his face. “Iwillspeak with you, Charles,” he said firmly. “I won’t be dismissed so easily.”
“Well, I see no reason for the dramatics! Very well, then, come inside if you wish, but I warn you that I don’t have the time for a very long visit today. I have a great many things to do, things which must be dealt with…business affairs…I am a busy man, as I’m sure you are aware, Levi.”
“What I have to say won’t take long.” That was certainly true. Levi had no intention of remaining in his cousin’s company any longer than was strictly necessary—he would be on his way as soon as he had said what he needed to and ensured that Charles would trouble him no further.
Charles seemed to realize that there was no avoiding the inevitable. He stepped back and pulled the door open, allowing Levi to come inside. Levi strode past him and walked directly into Charles’ sitting room, where he usually received guests. Though Charles’ home was modest, he took excellent care of it, and this particular room, with its fine furnishings and tidy decorations, would not have been out of place in a small manor.
“Will you sit?” Charles asked.
“No. I won’t be here that long.” Levi cleared his throat. “Charles, I have come to let you know that I’ve been to visit your solicitor. I have purchased all your lands.”
“What—my lands were not for sale,” Charles sputtered.
“You were deeply in debt. I might have suspected it by the way you acted from the moment I received my title. Your solicitor didn’t want to confirm my suspicions. He tried to protect your privacy. But he understood in the end that he was dealing with a significant authority and that it was in his best interests to tell me the truth. And, of course, when I made the offer for your lands, he was very glad to have done so, I think, for now the debts can be paid. You are free of that burden.”
“I can’t believe you would meddle in my affairs!”
“You ought to be thanking me,” Levi said coldly. “I’m sure you are aware that I could have done much worse, given what I now know.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
