“Yes,” she said, her voice nearly a whisper and choked with unspoken words. But she smiled through it all. Let him leavewith the thought that she enjoyed this little lark. He could leave with no regrets. He had what he wanted.
“Was . . .” Leonard took a moment to steady his voice, but his anger was palpable. “So this was all just a game? The search for the necklace? The time we spent together?”
She pulled her lips in, then gave a small nod. “Yes.”
He brought his eyes up to hers. “How could you?”
His brown hair waved over his brow, and she ached to reach forward and touch it. She ached for a time when she could do so, even if he pretended to hate it. Now, he probably hatedher.
He threw a hand out, half wild. “You put us both in danger,” he continued, then touched a hand to his brow. “Do you not have any amount of sense in that brain of yours? Look at me, Honora!” He gestured down at his body, the bruises still visible on his neck and face. “I was beaten because of you!”
Her lower lip dipped, and she forced a steady breath. “I am sorry, Leonard. But now you have what you need, and you can be free of me.”
Standing, his hand tightened around the ring. Then he turned, strode out the door, and slammed it shut behind him.
Chapter Twenty-One
After counting the seventeen steps up to Stoneside Manor, Leonard walked inside. This time, his family knew he was coming.
Upon entering, he looked toward the drawing room, and Samuel sat before the fire with a blanket draped across his lap.
Perhaps he could have a visit before seeing to the tasks his father had prepared.
Leonard knocked against the frame of the double door, forcing himself to smile when he wished to do nothing of the sort. But Samuel always had one for everyone else. It was the least Leonard could do to return the favor.
“Leonard!” Samuel’s face brightened as Leonard walked further into the room. And then his smile immediately fell. “My goodness, what in blazes happened to you?”
Ah. His face. Leonard had nearly forgotten.
“It is nothing,” he said, taking the matching chair beside his brother. “What are you reading?” he asked, spying a book in his brother’s lap.
“Oh, just some Daniel Defoe.” His brow scrunched as he continued to scrutinize Leonard’s face.
“You always did prefer stories of adventure to books of education.”
“It’s as if I get to live another life for a while.” Samuel tapped the book with his fingers, his stare far off as if experiencing another life in his mind.
“Do you want to go for a walk with me as I check on the Tattershalls? Not an adventure, exactly. But some fresh air might be nice.” Was Leonard offering it as a distraction? Most definitely.
Samuel hung his head with a small smile. “Only if you think we can sneak past Mother. She has been hounding me more than usual lately.”
“Why?” Leonard’s brow furrowed.
“She thinks I’m getting worse.” Samuel scratched his neck and looked at the fire.
Leonard swallowed, eyeing Samuel’s thin frame. He had noticed the weight loss, so it came as no surprise that their mother had as well. “Do you feel worse?”
Samuel shook his head. “No, actually. I just wish Mother and Father would let me have a bit more freedom. But the doctors insist I be practically bedridden. And they do whatever he recommends.”
With a heavy gaze, Leonard brought his eyes to Samuel’s face. “I’m sorry, Samuel. I wish I could take this from you.”
Samuel waved him off, smiling. “I’m being a spoilsport. I do not know what has come over me today. Forgive me.”
Honora’s words came to mind. About being vulnerable and human. He forced away other thoughts of her, thoughts of betrayal and anger. “It’s all right to speak of it when it’s hard.”
His brother shrugged. “I usually don’t mind. Perhaps reading about adventures isn’t the smartest idea. And it’s been unusually gloomy outside. I find that makes it worse.”
“I’ve an idea.” Leonard leaned forward. “You come to the townhouse next week, and we can go to a show. Whatever you want.”
