Eleanor craned her neck, surprise widening her eyes before a grim smile replaced it. “I am afraid Rex is out.”
“I am not here to see him. I am here to see you.” I stood awkwardly in place, unsure what to say next. Her clipped manner confirmed my suspicions. She still hadn’t forgiven me. “I wanted to tell you something.”
“Unless it is an apology, I don’t wish to hear it.” She stared straight ahead, her profile turned away from me.
I gritted my teeth at her abrasive response. Either I could leave or stand my ground. I wasn’t Rex, who was easily dissuaded when she was in a mood. “That is unfortunate. I havesome rather disturbing news to impart. Olivia has called off our wedding.”
She twisted in her seat, her combative stance softening. True sadness shadowed her eyes. “I am sorry.”
Exhaling a long, drawn-out breath, I cupped the back of my neck, massaging the tense muscles. “She guessed my feelings for you and doesn’t want to be second seat to anyone.”
Eleanor’s lips twitched at my analogy, and she nodded, though she didn’t look surprised. “Olivia had mentioned her uneasiness over the match to me. She thought you were in love with somebody else. I didn’t know she guessed it was me.” Her eyes widened, and she placed a hand to her mouth. “You don’t suppose she knows about Rex and you, do you?”
I shook my head and came farther into the room, taking the seat beside her. I rubbed a hand through my hair, my temples throbbing. “I don’t think she knows about that part of my love triangle.”
“A love triangle. Is that another musical pun?” she asked, referring to the instrument.
“No, that was a happy coincidence,” I said, laughing for the first time since Olivia broke off our engagement.
“I’m sorry you went through that.” She gripped my wrist with her slender fingers.
The door was closed, and I turned my head to verify we were alone. I leaned across my chair and brought her mouth to mine, our lips connecting in a soft, comforting kiss. “I am sorry you are upset over the conservatory business. It was meant as a gesture of love.”
She leaned back in her seat, the frown returning. “Youare sorry thatIam upset and not because of your machinations on my behalf?”
I flashed a sheepish smile and nodded. “It sounds much better than actually admitting I did something wrong. There’s a reason Olivia calls me an arrogant prat.”
Except she’d no longer be around to put me in my place.
“I see why she does. Yes. I am upset, andifyou were truly my friend, you would admit you acted against my wishes.”
“Technically, Rex acted against your wishes. I was simply the Trojan horse.” Being this close to her made my pulse hum and my body come to life. I needed to forget my troubles in her arms, but I had made several promises I couldn’t break. I had promised Rex we would always be together and that I would never be intimate with Eleanor without his presence. I had promised her the same about Rex.
She laughed and shook her head. “I am angry with you, and you don’t get to charm your way out of this.”
With a reluctant nod, I said, “I am sorry I didn’t listen to you. In my own defense—”
She put a fingertip to my lips to silence me. “What you did was indefensible to me.”
Old hurt rushed to the surface. Adverse emotions tightened my throat. “What you did tomewas indefensible. You allowed your father to decide who you would wed without considering my feelings. I might have pretended it didn’t matter, but it did.”
“I know it was hurtful to all involved.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. She ran her thumb along my bottom lip and drew me into her embrace, her mouth seeking mine.
I dipped my tongue into her parted lips and drew her as close as I could with the restrictions of the chairs. Every time I touched her, my chest seemed to fill with what was missing.
The scroll of the violin cut into my ribs, and I withdrew from our kiss.
“Rex and I aren’t the only ones who need to talk.” She closed her eyes, pain etching lines around her lovely mouth. “Whathappened wasn’t easy for any of us. You deserve to know the entire sordid affair that transpired.”
Through past, present, and future, the three of us were intertwined. Our unconventional arrangement could not happen without transparency. The coward in me said to let the past stay in the past yet the brash fool in me wanted to know all.
