Esme’s lips parted. “I couldn’t judge you for the shock. I know my disappearance caused a stir.”
“That’s an understatement.” Marianne smiled at her. “All I can say is that I’m so happy you seem to be unharmed. I admit I feared for your safety sometimes over the years.”
A blink at tears was all Esme could manage at that statement. As part of her survival, she had pushed away the thought that she might be missed, worried over, by anyone in her old acquaintance. She’d had to cut all that away. The soft welcome in this gentle woman’s gaze reminded her of all the relationships, friendships, she had lost.
Marianne held her gaze. There was no judgment in her stare, even if intense curiosity remained. “It’s been a long time, my lady. I hope you’ll join us all for supper.”
Esme’s head spun. “I…I could not. I’ve nothing to wear and after what you just saw, you cannot possibly wish to break bread with me.”
Ramsbury let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, Delacourt has seen worse. Now we’re even.”
Marianne leaned back and elbowed him in the ribs, her cheeks flaming.
“Ouch, love,” he said with an indulgent look for her. Then he smiled at Esme. “Please, you really should join us.”
“If a gown is truly the sticking point, I’ve many items still here in my old room. I think we could find one that would fit.” Marianne stepped closer. “Please?”
Esme looked briefly at Finn. He shook his head gently. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t wish to do,” he said softly.
No, he’d never force her in any way. She sighed. “The damage is done.” She looked at Marianne again. “I-I would appreciate the lending of a gown, my lady.” She stepped from the ring and swept her own simple frock from the floor. She wrapped it around herself, fastening it carefully before she looked at Marianne again.
“I’m so pleased,” Marianne said and then grabbed for Esme’s hand. “Come, we’ll go right now. It will give the gentleman a moment to talk.”
She was already dragging Esme across the room, toward the door. Esme could have easily broken the grip, but there seemed no point. This was happening now.
So she gave one last look toward Finn over her shoulder. It was evident they would continue their truncated conversation later. Which meant she had to find some way to respond to his declaration of love for her.
One that wouldn’t leave them both broken in the end.
Finn let out a long sigh as Marianne and Esme left the room together. If his sister had thought she was being subtle with her hard looks at Sebastian, she certainly hadn’t been. And poor Esme just seemed…blank. Stunned.
It wasn’t the way he’d wanted what they’d shared in the ring to end. Wasn’t ever how he’d wanted her to look after he confessed he loved her.
He shook his head and ducked out of the ring, grabbing for the shirt he’d discarded earlier. As he tugged it over his head, he moved toward the sideboard. “Drink?”
“It seems we both need one,” Ramsbury drawled.
As Finn pulled out glasses and uncorked the bottle, he could hear his friend moving around the room. When he turned back, he found Sebastian had gathered the remaining items of his clothing scattered at the ring and placed them over the back of a chair. He held out a hand and took the drink Finn offered.
“You know I’m just going to pester you until you tell me everything. We could skip that part if it would trouble you less." Ramsbury sipped his drink.
Finn let out his breath on a shaky sigh. “I know you will. But in this case, there is nothing to tell.”
An arched eyebrow was the response. “I beg your fucking pardon, but your sister and I just burst into a room where we found you in the half-naked arms of a much-discussed missing heiress. How is therenothingto tell?”
Finn flinched at the pointed question. He’d known Sebastian for most of his life. They’d bonded at school, become close as brothers. Aside from a few of the details about his mother’s death that he hadn’t shared with anyone until Esme, he’d never shied away from discussing anything with his friend. Right now, he wanted so desperately to tell Sebastian everything. Despite his playful and rakish act, Finn knew that if he told him every detail, he’d have nothing but unmitigated support from the earl.
And advice. He’d have advice that he feared he desperately needed. And yet he couldn’t.
He swallowed. “Her story is complicated.”
“I assume so,” Ramsbury said cautiously. “What with her disappearance and all the rumors around it. And yet she’s here. In London. And apparently with you.”
“But it’s notmystory to tell. I’d never betray her trust in me, no matter how much I want your counsel and support.”
Sebastian’s lips parted and he stared at Finn like he’d never really seen him before. His expression softened and he stepped closer. “You’re in love with her.”
“Am I so obvious?” Finn asked after he took what felt like the longest pause to gather himself.
