To keep from shouting the words he now only mouthed:
I love you.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Celia sat on the settee in Gray’s parlor. Rosalinde was beside her, sewing quietly. Celia was also supposed to be stitching, but her piece sat on her lap, abandoned long ago. Instead, she stared out the window, toward the rainy garden behind the house. But even that she didn’t see.
No, all she could think about was Aiden. She had not seen him, nor heard from him, in two days. Not since he had dropped her back off at Gray’s house with a mumbled apology and goodnight.
But she had been reliving that night ever since. From the passionate joining that had made her soul and body sing, to his ultimate rejection that had sent her crashing to the ground.
Did she understand why he pushed her away? Of course she did. Not only did she understand his past now, but she knew that he couldn’t remain in the role of Clairemont. He would be gone when his case ended. In some way, she thought he was trying to deal the harshest blows now so it would hurt less later.
Knowing that didn’t lessen the sting.
The door to the parlor opened and Gray entered. He had a pensive look on his handsome face and he moved directly to Rosalinde to press a kiss to her forehead. Once he had done so, his expression relaxed a fraction. Celia turned away from their show of affection. How much she wished she could offer Aiden that kind of support.
“What is it?” Rosalinde asked, taking his hand.
He smiled down at her. “Am I so easy to read?”
“Only to me,” Rosalinde said softly before she repeated, “What is it?”
“I’ve received a message from Stalwood. He and Clairemont are on their way to talk to me about any evidence I may have uncovered. They will be here momentarily.” He shot a glance toward Celia.
She hardly noticed him as she rose to her feet. Her heart was pounding at the thought of seeing Aiden again.
Rosalinde frowned. “Why don’t we go out, Celia?” she suggested in a falsely bright tone. “I know Mr. Banks gets his new fabrics in today. We could find a pretty silk or—”
“No,” Celia said, surprised her voice could sound so even and strong when she was all but vibrating inside. “It’s fine. Perhaps I can help.”
Rosalinde moved toward her and caught her hand. She whispered, “I’m worried about you. Despite everything that has happened, I know you care for this man.”
Celia didn’t bother to deny it. Her sister knew her too well not to see through that lie. Instead, she shrugged. “That is why Imusthelp. If he’s seen coming here, it should be believed that he’d here to court. I must be there for that lie to be told.”
The sound of a knock on the front door drifted in from the parlor, and Celia froze as they heard Greene welcome their guests. Then he appeared in the doorway. “The Duke of Clairemont and the Earl of Stalwood have arrived.”
“They are expected, Greene. Please, allow them in,” Gray said.
The servant stepped aside and the men entered. Stalwood came in first, but as he stepped aside, Aiden stepped into view. Celia’s breath caught, then vanished as he turned his cool and hard gaze on her. The moment he did, it softened a fraction. Then he frowned and turned away.
She flinched. He was lost to her now. Already he pulled back, and it broke her heart into a thousand fragments.
“Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Danford, Miss Fitzgilbert,” Stalwood said, filling what was now an awkward silence. “Thank you again for having us in your home and for your continued assistance in this unpleasant matter.”
Celia kept her gaze on the earl since Aiden’s continued refusal to look at her stung so badly. “Lord Stalwood, is there anything I can do to help?”
“No!” It was Aiden who answered, his tone sharp and bordering on cruel. “No.”
Celia narrowed her eyes at him, and he did the same in return. “Might I have a moment with Clairemont?” she said, making the words a question though it was meant as a statement. If anyone refused her, she was going to insist.
But the room seemed to recognize this, for Stalwood, Rosalinde and Gray exchanged a look before they moved toward the door.
“We’ll be in my office,” Gray said softly. “Join us when you’re finished, Clairemont.”
Aiden didn’t react or respond, but continued to hold her stare. Rosalinde was the last to leave the room and shot Celia a quick look before she tugged the door shut behind her.
Once they were alone, Celia took a step toward him. Immediately he took one of an equal distance back.
