“Alaric,” Lord Wolfe said when Alaric walked into the dining room. “This is a rather… unexpected surprise.”
“Uncle,” Alaric said, hesitating by the end of the table. He did not mean to sit, for his body was filled with adrenaline, and he needed it to keep his mind sharp and his emotions at bay. “We must speak.”
“I cannot imagine you came here just to watch me eat. Please…” Lord Wolfe gestured to a chair. “Sit. Shall I have the staff fetch you something to eat?”
“No,” Alaric said. “I would prefer to stand.”
Lord Wolfe studied him with brimming curiosity. “I would ask how the Merryweather garden party went today, but…” He chuckled with mirth. “That you are here tells me well enough.”
“It went fine,” Alaric said. “As expected, Clara and I played our part. Such that I am certain any lingering rumors existing after the Whitcombe Ball will be a thing of the past.”
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
That was the truth, Alaric knew. And it was largely why he felt confident that his uncle would agree to help him with what he had come here for. Although the Merryweather garden party had been an awkward affair filled with tension, and its ending was not something that Alaric was proud of, the message had been made clear, and anybody who had seen him and Clara there was sure to think them a most happy couple.
Isn’t that the entire point? That which caused this problem. If only I had been able to control myself… laughable. As I have just now proven, control is the last thing I possess.
All Alaric had needed to do was get through that singular event. Doing so while reminding Clara that he and she were not truly a love-match, and that they never would be. Oh, how close he had come, able to feel her pulling away and resigning herself to the truth he needed her to believe. So close…
And then Lady Brickstone had gone too far. Hearing her insults, forced to listen to her speak to the woman he cared for with such disdain, and Alaric had not been able to stand it any longer. He had done the only thing he could think to do. He had stood upfor his wife, proving to her once and for all how much he truly cared. And then…
… Alaric’s body quivered as he remembered that kiss. Still, he could taste Clara on his lips. Still, he couldfeelher. It made his heart race, and his pulse quicken. It made him want to leave here and go to her. It made him want to admit how he felt, how he had always felt. No more lies!
He could not,wouldnot. She did not deserve a burden like him.“Then why are you here?” Lord Wolfe asked simply. “To tell me of a job well done? I did not think you needed the applause.”
Alaric grimaced and bowed his head as shame took him. “I am here, Uncle, because… because I need your help.”
“Oh?” There was humor in his tone.
“You were right,” he said, wincing because he hated to admit it. “About me. About Clara. What you said…” A shake of the head. “Everything you said was right.”
“I am afraid you will need to be more specific.”
Alaric bared his teeth, keeping his temper at bay. Still, he could not look upon his uncle. “I care for her. This marriage… it has gone beyond a mere arrangement of convenience. I care for her deeply, and she seems to feel for me. That is why I am here.”
“Ah…” The sound of metal cutlery clanging against Lord Wolfe’s plate as he placed them down. “I see. And I take it that you understand the…” He clicked his tongue. “The danger this presents.”
“I would not be here otherwise.”
“I am surprised by you, Alaric,” Lord Wolfe said. “Truly…” He chuckled with amusement. “I would think the world might end before you admitted such a thing as me being right. Is the sky falling? Shall I look outside and –”
“This isn’t funny,” Alaric snarled, snapping his head up and glaring a warning at his uncle. He needed him… a good thing, because if he did not, there was no telling what Alaric might do.
“A truth.” The humor left his uncle’s tone. “This is decidedly not funny. I warned you, did I not? I told you what would happen if you let her get to you.” He scoffed. “And after everything I have done, that you would think to risk it all again. And why?” He scoffed again. “For love?”
Alaric winced. He had not admitted such a thing to himself yet. That he… that he loved Clara. He could not say it, for to admit such feelings would see him break. And he was not as strong as that.
“I know you did,” Alaric said. “Which is why I am here. I cannot allow myself to grow close to her. Not…” He winced. “Not after the last time. She needs to see that I am not one to waste her time on and be convinced to leave.”
“And you wish for me to do this?”
“That is why I am here.” His expression softened, turned pleading because he knew his uncle would appreciate it. “I need you to go to her. To tell her that she must leave my home at once. She cannot wait the year – we cannot risk it.”
“And what will people say?” Lord Wolfe asked. “If it is learned that your wife has fled.”
“That will not be a problem,” Alaric assured him. “After today, no one will doubt our happiness. That gives us time. Enough that we can come up with a lie… I know not what, yet. But Uncle…” He could not have looked more pitiful. “She needs to leave. Tomorrow. As soon as possible.”
