“You know what. Leading her mount close to mine. ‘You were frowning, Miss Carlow. Even I know that every etiquette book ever written suggests that is bad for a lovely complexion like yours,’” Nathan repeated Michael’s earlier words to Beth.
“I was being polite.”
“Why?” Gabe and Zach both asked.
“She does not deserve your politeness after hurting our brother,” Zach added. “That woman is a venomous harpy.”
“Do you really think so?” Michael asked. “I’m not so sure she is.”
And just like that, his heart started pounding hard inside his chest.
“Why?” he rasped.
“The woman I sat next to today was devastated, destroyed, heartbroken, whatever you wish to call it, every time she glanced your way.”
“She’s an excellent actress then,” Gabe snarled.
Nathan kept his eyes on Michael.
“I have thought about this since her return to London and believe there is more to the Carlows leaving town.”
“Why is she back then?” Nathan managed to get out. His throat was desert dry, and the niggle was becoming louder with every word his brother spoke.
“I don’t know, but it’s my belief she didn’t leave London voluntarily or stop loving you by choice.”
He’d wondered, of course. Late at night when he lay in his bed thinking about Beth. He’d wondered if there was more to her sudden decision to turn from him, but his pain had not allowed him to truly believe it.
Gabe exhaled loudly. “I hope not, as I was rude to her.”
“What? Why were you rude to her?” Nathan demanded, although he’d behaved the exact same way.
“I told her that night at the Russell ball that I wanted her to keep her distance from you.”
“I’m no longer a child, Gabe. There is no need to see off anyone who may harm me.”
“She did more than harm you, Nathan.”
She broke my heart.
“What did you and Miss Carlow speak of today?” Zach asked Nathan. “I saw you talking, and it did not look comfortable.”
“She said I know nothing about her or her actions.”
The brothers thought about that for a few seconds.
“Which would strengthen my words,” Michael said.
Had he been wrong about her? He had been so devastated by her words, he had failed to look deeper.
“I guess it is odd that she broke things off with Nathan, then suddenly her family fled London. I mean why would they if she had simply moved on to another man?”
Zach’s words had rage clenching his hands into fists. The thought of anyone but him touching Beth was not to be borne. And yet she chose not to be his… didn’t she?
“So, is there a deeper reason as to why?” Gabe pondered.
“I was so angry, I didn’t think there was a reason for her leaving other than she wanted to get away from me and forced her family to leave London,” Nathan said slowly.
“It was all a bit odd though, surely you can see that now?” Michael said.
