“There is little I do not know,” Cedric said. “Now, are you coming in peace, or do I have to knock you unconscious, because I will.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
It was the shouting that woke Ariadne, and worried, she threw on a dressing gown and hurried to the source of the noise. She feared for the worst—but when she stepped inside, her gaze landed on Leander, who was glaring at Cedric.
“What do you mean you’ve dissolved my lordship?” Leander demanded.
Seated behind his massive desk, Cedric was the epitome of calm and collected. “You are leaving London to be free from what you perceive as a prison. Why do you think you can have your title and your love overseas? Your title was a courtesy title anyhow, and you barely did anything with it other than invest in various businesses.”
Leander’s eyes landed on Ariadne, who was lingering near the doorway. His top lip lifted in a sneer, “You kept her, I see.”
“She is a human being, not a phaeton you can replace at your fancy.” Cedric’s tone was icy. “But that does not matter to you, does it?”
“Her mother tried to trap me, and while I managed to yank my foot out of the claws, you willingly jammed your foot in it,” Leander said snidely. “You do know you do not have to be the sacrificial lamb all the time?”
“Someone has to be a man about these things, and it’s clear you are still a boy,” Cedric snapped back.
Leander flung his hands up, “You didn’t have to marry her.”
“The logistics of that moment made more sense to it than not to do it,” Cedric replied.
“Logistics,” Leander mocked him. “It's all logistics with you.”
Cedric seemed to sag into his chair, his gaze suddenly defeated. When he spoke, his tone was rife with resignation. “For God's sake, Leander, I don’t want to fight this. This was a mistake. If you want to run off to America, go on. I won’t stop you.”
The sudden shift affected Leander, and the steel in the younger man’s spine vanished. Slowly, the younger brother sank to a chair, and the two stared at each other long enough that the sensation scraped over her skin.
Finally, Leander admitted, “I was scared, alright? The prospect of marriage made me see my independence crumble and vanish before my eyes. So I asked Cumberland to arrange a carriage to come for me on the day of the wedding. I never expected you to step in where I left off.”
Sighing, Cedric turned to her. “Take a seat, Ariadne.”
Silently, she came inside and took a seat across from Leander and in a direct triangle to Cedric. She folded her hands on her lap, unsure of what to do or say, but Leander took that choice from her.
Leaning over to brace his elbows on his knees, he said, “I am sorry I ran away, Lady Ariadne. I never wanted obligation; I never wanted marriage—” he waved his hand around them. “—I never wanted the house and duty and children and making sure this bloodline goes on. So, I ran, and I am sorry for the embarrassment I made you feel that day.”
“I accept your apology,” she said. “And thank you for being honest. I cannot blame you so much, as one of my sisters does not want marriage either. It is a daunting situation.”
Drumming his fingers on the table, Cedric asked, “Do you really want to go to America?”
“Yes, no… maybe….” Leander rubbed his face. “In those moments, I thought it was the only way out.”
Leaning in, Cedric asked, “Do you want to stay?”
“Yes,” Leander admitted.
“How about you go to the country home in Bath for a while and come back when you want to,” Cedric said, “But stay for breakfast tomorrow. Emily misses you.”
“How it the little hellion doing?” Leander asked.
Pushing away from the table, Cedric said, “Stay for breakfast, and you’ll find out.”
“Uncle Leander!” Emily yelped as she ran to him while he poured out a cup of coffee at the side table.
Smiling, Ariadne nursed her tea, having already had a light breakfast of currant buns and eggs boiled to imperfection.
“Good morning, little scamp,” Leander said as he opened his arms wide to hug her. “How have you been?”
“I have a cat,” Emily pronounced proudly.
