She lifted her chin. “I don’t think you want me to answer that.”
“Actually, I do,” he countered. “I thought we were having a perfectly pleasant afternoon, but you haven’t been the same since we left the inn.”
“You might not like what you hear.”
“I’m sure I’ve heard worse,” he countered dryly.
Fanny took a deep breath. “Very well.”He asked for it. “It honestly sickens me how you are opening that mine to pretend as though you are doing something honorable, and only then on the ramblings of a fortune teller from a traveling fair. Have you even stopped to realize the struggle those people have to endure on a daily basis?” She paused, her voice vibrating with anger. “Do you evencareabout anything other than your own, selfish desires?”
She eyed the man across from her, expecting him to deny her accusations, or to hurl his own insults at her, but he merely clenched his jaw. His green eyes glittered like emeralds, and while she waited for the inevitable explosion, it never came. Instead, when he finally did reply, it was so much worse. In truth, she would have rather he shouted and railed at her, instead of speaking in such a cold, distant manner.
“I see that you have me all figured out, Miss Grouseman.” Every word he said was carefully pronounced. “But what you’ve failed to deduce is that, in fact, Idocare about those less fortunate than myself. I have brought up several issues in London regarding the poor living conditions in the East End.”
He smiled, but it was without a touch of warmth. The indolent rake had returned. “However, since you would not know about of any of these things, I will allow your slight on my character to be atoned to ignorance, as well as your obvious prejudice against someone with a few more advantages than yourself. And while I will further admit that Cornwall was not on my list of places to visit without due provocation, I have decided to make the best of it since I am here. I’m sure that, given your hostile view of my intentions, you will continue to doubt my sincerity, but rest assured, your opinion, or that of my father, will continue to elude my conscience, as it is clear of guilt or remorse.”
He tapped his knuckles on the roof of the carriage, causing it to slow to a halt. “Now, if you will excuse me, I will remove my undesirable presence.”
With that, he swung down to the ground.
Lady Marwood’s ladies’ maid entered moments later with a wide-eyed expression. “Gor, what did ye say to Lord Castleford? He looks nigh on murderous.”
For answer, Fanny just burst into tears.
***
JONATHAN TRIED TO HARDENhimself to the sight of Fanny’s red-rimmed eyes as she hastily exited the carriage and disappeared inside her family’s cottage upon their return to the village. But as much as he wanted to cling to his irritation, he had to admit that therewasa certain amount of truth to her accusations. When he left London a week ago, he had been a rather insouciant rogue with little care for anyone but himself.
But the moment he arrived in Cornwall his entire way of thinking had begun to shift. Even if he hadn’t met that mysterious fortune teller, the moment Fanny Grouseman had literally fallen at his feet, he’d felt...different.
No doubt his father would be highly amused at this turn of events. Then again, he had never given Jonathan much thought beyond the occasional rant about mending his roguish ways. The earl had his perfect son at his side — his heir, Edward — the one he had always been able to depend upon. So what use did he have for the spare?
Jonathan shook his head. He wouldnottravel this path again. He had been down it too many times. The past was gone and should be forgotten.
And the present — as well as Miss Grouseman — along with it.
The moment he returned to Killigarth Manor, his dark mood must have been mirrored on his expression, for Elliot caught sight of him in the foyer and winced. “Was it that bad?”
Jonathan began to reply that Fanny was just as sharp-tongued as she was beautiful, but then he stopped himself before he did so, realizing that his friend was speaking of the mine and not some irritating female.
“Actually, Mr. Santon assured me that things are going rather well, considering the shape the mine had been in. Apparently, the worse was only on the surface. Underground, there is a wealth of clay to be had.”
Elliot grinned. “Well that is certainly wonderful news! You shall make a tidy return on your investment while giving work to the people of St. Austell. Although it makes me wonder what has caused such a glower on your face.”
“A rather insufferable lady, to be sure,” Jonathan ran a hand through his hair. “I need a drink.”
“Naturally,” Elliot returned dryly. “When it comes to the fairer sex, we usually do.”
***
“FANNY! HAVE YOU HEARDanything I’ve said?”
Her mother’s sharp voice cut through Fanny’s reverie, causing her to sit up straighter in her chair in the dining room, where she’d been staring outside, lost in her thoughts. She was supposed to be helping prepare dinner, but the carrots for the stew were still sitting in front of her, sadly uncut. Even they seemed to be accusing her of prejudice. At least her sisters were gone to the market where they couldn’t ask her any more incessant questions about her day with Lord Castleford. “I’m sorry, Mama,” she returned with a heavy sigh.
Mrs. Grouseman shook her head. “I daresay I don’t know what has come over you. You’ve walked around this house in a daze ever since your outing with Lord Castleford yesterday, and now you refuse to attend him any longer.”
Fanny shrugged. “I simply didn’t see any reason to continue the lessons since he doesn’t appear to suspect anything.”
“He may not —yet,” her mother countered, as she sat down in the chair across from her. “You know that the threat of discovery is still very real. We can’t take any chances.” Taking Fanny’s hands in her own, she eyed her steadily. “What exactly happened when you went to St. Austell with Lord Castleford? Did he do something... untoward?”
