“They did not mention you were with them.”
“Their little joke, I imagine.”
One look at his icy gaze reinforced his words. He was here under sufferance. But he was right about one thing: his coming here would stop some of the gossip, especially if they were seen having a civil conversation.
“Of course.” A heavy, uncomfortable silence stretched between them. “Nathan….” Her words fell away when she realized she had no idea what to say. Once it had been so natural between them, almost as if the other knew what was going to be said.
“Why?” The word was a demand. One word that she knew asked a multitude of questions. None of which she could answer. “You owe me that much.” Gone was the gentle tone he’d once used with her. The love he’d felt for her had warmed every inch of her soul.
Your family’s safety is in your hands.
“I owe you nothing. Now, if you will excuse me, I must tell my mother we have callers.”
His fingers gripped her wrist as she went to pass him. With a tug, she was facing him once more. They were close now, inches apart. She saw the dark, molten rage in his eyes, but she was not scared and never had been of this man.
“You will not walk away from me again.”
“Let me go.” The silence between them was charged with so many emotions. Their eyes locked on each other, searching, seeking something.
“Just so we are clear, Miss Carlow, I do not like being made a fool of. What I felt for you has now passed and been replaced by disgust that I was foolish enough to have fallen for your sweet and seemingly innocent charade. Going forward, we will be polite and disinterested society members. Are we clear?”
She managed to nod. Managed to make her voice sound calmer. “I wish for nothing more.”
“My sister believes society will move on when they see that neither of us is harboring a broken heart. I assure you, nothing but her insistence would have me set foot back inside this household.”
My heart is broken!
“Of course. I wish that also,” she managed to get out.
A loud woof had her shaking free from his grip and moving to the door.
“Is there a dog out there, Leonard?” she asked the butler, who was just closing it.
“A large one, Miss Carlow.”
“His name is Walter, Leonard,” Nathan said, joining her. “He is ours—well, my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s. He is to stay in the carriage but has a problem with obeying orders.”
He was polite to the butler, unlike the cold tone he’d used on her.
She watched as he opened the door and in bounded a large gray dog. He woofed and then went up on his hind legs and placed his paws on Nathan’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Deville, he slipped his leash.” A harried footman hurried inside.
“Down, Walter!” The dog dropped at Nathan’s command. He then walked to where Beth stood, and sat. Raising a paw, he tilted his head slightly.
“He wants you to shake it,” Nathan said gruffly.
Beth did so. “Hello, Walter.” She scratched him behind a large ear, and he made a grumbling sound that she thought was like a cat purring.
“Beth?” Lady Carlow arrived. “Mr. Deville.” She gave him a polite nod.
“We have guests.” Beth turned from the dog. “The Blake ladies, and Lady Abigail Dillinger and her son, plus Miss Saint-Bonnard. I came to see where you were and encountered Mr. Deville and now Walter.”
“Hello, you lovely boy.” Her mother gave the dog a pat. “Have you called for tea?”
Walter woofed.
“Excellent. Please ensure there is a little something for Walter on the tray, Leonard.”
