“No,” Lanford rubbed a hand through his hair. “Of course not, no. I only…I…I hoped that escorting her might allow me to get a bit closer to the lady.”
That ugly jealousy doubled in an instant and Sebastian’s hands began to tingle. He shook them out at his sides. “You have an interest in Lady Marianne?”
“I-I did,” Lanford admitted, his head bending as if he were almost ashamed. “I hadn’t given her a thought until that night at the Brighthollow ball. But it was impossible not to once the room seemed to turn to her. I approached her there, and I actually found her to be charming. Ultimately, I began to think it would be a good match for us both. She would be removed from the shelf, after all. She must want that after she’s been so long overlooked. How could she say no?”
Sebastian gripped his hands in front of him. “That is a romantic judgment of the lady.”
“Oh, but I don’t think I wouldn’t benefit, as well.” Lanford said. “I know I would move up in the world through her family connections. Her dowry.”
Sebastian turned his head at that rote recitation of entirely normal, but infuriating reasons that a man would want Marianne. Not for her sweetness or her intelligence or her bravery, but for her associations, or more to the point, the associations of her powerful brother. That this man would think the mere act of removing her from the shelf would be something she ought to appreciate.
“I’m certain her brother would not be pleased at your method of courtship,” Sebastian managed through clenched teeth. “At any rate, by the time I arrived and came to her aid you had abandoned her side to flirt with other ladies. How does that fit into your supposed desire to court her?”
Lanford shifted, his cheeks darkening to deeper red. “Well, when we were riding over to the hell in my carriage…she…”
There was something about the way Lanford was clenching his hands nervously and hemming and hawing that made Sebastian want to put a fist through his nose.
“What is it, man?” he snapped. “Spit it out.”
“She only talked about…about you,” Lanford finished.
Sebastian stared at him as the weight of each of those words hit him full in the chest. “I beg your pardon?”
“Any subject I brought up, she turned it toward you. When I asked about her brother’s estate, she told me at least three tales of growing up there and spending time with you. When I inquired about her pursuits, she mentioned she was embroidering handkerchiefs for Christmas foryouand for her brother.” Lanford shook his head. “Even when I inquired about what she was currently reading, she said she was reading a gothic novel she borrowed from you because you thought she would enjoy it. She couldn’t wait to speak to you about it when she was finished.”
Sebastian felt like each word spoken was a dagger to his pounding heart. “I see,” he managed to choke out. “So you don’t like her friendship with me.”
Lanford arched a brow and looked at Sebastian like he was a simpleton to put it in those terms. “Your friendship? I suppose I wouldn’t like it if my potential wife wasfriendswith such a known rake, no. But that isn’t it. No, it was entirely clear, by the time we reached the hell, that Lady Marianne had no interest in my pursuit, not when her head was filled with thoughts of you. No matter how out of reach you are to a woman like her, she clearly considers you her ideal. I couldn’t compete.”
The room shifted around Sebastian and Lanford’s words sounded like they were coming from under water. He was meant to respond now, though how to do so felt muddy with the knowledge he was being given.
The understanding it left him with.
“And so—” He cleared his suddenly thick throat. “And so you chose to abandon her to danger because it was clear she had no interest in you. How gentlemanly.”
“I was distracted, I admit, and that was wrong.” Lanford let out his breath in a long sigh. “I’ve no intention of ever spreading any stories, you know. Not about her. If that’s your worry.”
“I think it would be best if no one ever heard about what happened. For both your sakes. And mine, I suppose.”
Lanford gave him an appraising look. “You’re protective of her.”
Sebastian pursed his lips. It should have been easy to brush off the statement. To dismiss it and her as meaningless beyond a long friendship. But he found he couldn’t. The words wouldn’t come anymore.
“I am,” he finally said, and nothing else.
Lanford opened his mouth as if to say more, but before he could, Marianne strode into the breakfast room, hands clenched at her sides. “Sebastian, one of the maids said that you were—” She cut herself off and stopped short at the chamber door. “Oh, Mr. Lanford. I didn’t…I didn’t realize you were here.”
Lanford and Sebastian both rose and Lanford gave a small bow. “Good morning, Lady Marianne. I am beyond pleased to see you unharmed after I was so remiss in my behavior last night.”
She swallowed hard and looked from Lanford to Sebastian and back again. Sebastian could see she was nervous, her cheeks flushed as she brushed her palms along the skirt of her dress. He couldn’t help but think of touching her thighs last night. Of the catch in her breath when he’d done so.
“I’m well, thank you for your concern,” she said with a quick smile of comfort for the man. “If you’ve been torturing yourself about my experience, I free you from that worry. My evening was more than pleasant—” Her gaze darted to Sebastian again. “Aside from that one little nastiness at the card table.” She stepped closer and extended a hand to Lanford. “May we still be friends, Mr. Lanford?”
Lanford hesitated but a moment before he came around the table to take her offered hand in both of his. There was an intimacy to that. Marianne held his gaze as he said, “Have I earned a continuing friendship with you, my lady, I’m greatly appreciative of that fact. Now I shall excuse myself and continue with my day, as it seems you had something to discuss with Lord Ramsbury.”
He released Marianne and went to the chamber door where he cast one last glance toward Sebastian and then left the room. Left Sebastian alone with her.
“Good morning,” he said softly.
