But he didn’t want to marry her…
She put her hands on his chest and pushed him away. Anger replaced the desire. “You can’t keep doing this. The way you were looking at me in that ballroom… If not for all eyes on Lucien, someone would pick up on your interest. And everything we’ve done to keep the scandal at bay would be for nothing.”
He ran a hand through his hair as he leaned back against the wall. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just… It’s just that I miss you, and you look so beautiful tonight. Almost regal. Your confidence is dazzling.”
She swallowed her anger at his honesty. “You can’t miss me. You can’t want me. Do you want to create a scandal? I don’t need one. Blackstone has agreed to allow me to select my own husband.”
He stepped back toward her. “That’s good.” He looked as if he wanted to say more, but he didn’t.
She sighed and placed a hand on his chest. “You need to leave me be. You’ll be leaving soon, I assume? For Africa?”
He cleared his throat. “I’ve put that on hold until Lucien no longer needs me.” He shrugged. “I brought him home. It’s only fair I stay to see it go as smoothly as it can.” He took her hand from his chest and raised it to his lips. “Is there a man present tonight who you would consider marrying?”
You, you idiot.“Why is that of interest to you?”
“I might offer you advice on the man. Tell you things you might not know about or see.”
“That won’t be necessary. Blackstone will do that. Besides, I’d like to marry a man who is in love with me. I hardly thinkthere is a man at the ball who fits that description.” She held her breath and hoped for just one second that he’d profess his love for her. And then the seconds passed. “If that’s all, then I shall return to the ball. Wait several minutes and then reenter but from the other end of the corridor. I haven’t worked this hard to avoid a forced marriage to you, only for you to unravel everything.”
She made to move round him, but he grabbed her arm and her heart jumped into her throat when it looked as if he wanted to say something. But he simply stood looking at her with the saddest look in his eyes. She shook her arm free and slipped through the door back into the crowded, heated ballroom and refused to let the tears that were building come.
Rockwell slid down the wall until he hit the floor.What are you doing?He hid his face in his hands and cursed. Farah was right. He didn’t want to marry her and he definitely was not out to ruin her, so why could he not leave well enough alone?
It was because she made him think of a different way of life. Or was it the visit from Scot Armley yesterday? He and two other newly created mill owners had asked to meet with him. As he was already a shareholder—and Rockwell held quite a large share-holding—they’d approached him with an idea to help them meet the growing demand for Merino textiles. They needed a landowner to start a rapid breeding program to farm the sheep for their wool.
They wanted to know if he’d buy a large estate and begin the breeding program to supply these mills. They didn’t know he already had a large estate. He’d bought it over two years ago in Suffolk when he’d had a wonderful investment year and his friend’s family was in trouble. He liked the idea of being at the forefront of new farming.
It would also add to his profits by increasing the mill’s outputs. It was a long-term investment and when he saw Farahtonight, the idea of becoming a pioneering sheep breeder held several attractions.
Being at the forefront of a new industry and breeding program held appeal. But it would mean his travels would be curtailed. But not totally. Maybe just shorter trips.
When he held Farah in his arms, suddenly that didn’t seem to be so terrible.
He stood up and turned to walk down the corridor. Rockwell knew he’d better get his head sorted out before he did something stupid like ruin Farah. He needed to decide what he wanted from his life, and soon. Farah shone like a priceless diamond tonight. The timid mouse was all but gone and every man in that ballroom had taken notice. She was beautiful, composed, and the daughter of a duke with a sizable dowry. Blackstone would be fighting her suitors off.
Suddenly, it was imperative for Rockwell to return to the ballroom and protect what was his. He made his way round to the terrace and entered from there so no one could link his disappearance to Farah’s. He’d been out for a cheroot. That was all.
He’d only just stepped onto the terrace when the sight before him made the blood run cold in his veins.
“Lord Ware, I wondered if I’d see you here tonight. I thought it most likely, given you were the one who found Lord Lucien and brought him home. I cannot believe it.”
“Mrs. Ahearn, what a surprise to see you here in London,” he uttered as he bent low over the gloved hand she’d extended.
“May I introduce you to my sister, Lady Hampton? I didn’t have time to inform you when I saw you in Dublin that I would be visiting.”
Blast he’d forgotten her sister was married to Baron Hampton. He had to warn Farah and Ashley. Mrs. Ahearn couldruin everything. She thought Farah was Ashley and if that was revealed, all would be ruined.
“Lady Hampton, you look as lovely as ever. However, I think the chill of the night, while refreshing, is a little brisk for my liking. Shall we go back inside?”
“You are quite right, Lord Ware. But Fiona thought I looked a tad peaky and the fresh air has helped.” She patted her stomach and Rockwell understood. She was with child and the heat in the ballroom was a tad overbearing.
He ushered the ladies back inside and scanned the room. He stayed talking for a polite minute before he really had to find Farah.
*
Farah plastered onher brightest smile, all the while scanning the room for any sign of disaster. And by disaster, she meant one very specific person: Mrs. Ahearn from Ireland.
When Rockwell had informed her that the spirited Irish widow had arrived with her sister to tonight’s ball, Farah had nearly fainted dead away. It was bad enough that she’d had to pretend to be Ashley during their impromptu Irish adventure, but now she had to somehow prevent Mrs. Ahearn from meeting the real Ashley while simultaneously keeping her brother in the dark about the whole sordid affair.
