“You could always attend Lady Haverward’s ball. She’s a nosy baggage and will have every gossip for seven miles in attendance. And her estate is not far from here.”
“If Catherine and I went, thetonwould see that I am alive and well.” Alaric stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Though it may still be a risk with my memories as they are.”
“That is true, though I suspect your wife would steer you right. And if you let the ton see how much you care for each other, that will put to bed some of the rumors about her killing you.”
Frederick added.
“We are friends, Hale, nothing more.” Alaric felt his heart stutter.
“If you looked at me the way you look at her, Deverell, we would both be arrested.” Frederick laughed.
“There is no fear of that, you are not nearly as pretty,” Alaric shot back without thinking, realizing he had stepped into Frederick’s trap when he saw the grin on Frederick’s face broaden. “As anyone with eyes would be able to see. I t does not mean anything.”
“Your whole face lights up whenever you say her name. And the two of you clearly have a rapport. Why deny it?” Frederick gestured at him.
“I am supposed to be the one with a head injury, not you.” Alaric ran his thumb across his knuckles. “It does not matter what you think is there; it will not change anything. This whole arrangement is only temporary. Catherine might agree to wait a little longer while you investigate, but once it is done…”
“Then perhaps I should take my time.” Frederick winked.
“No.” Alaric’s voice was harder than he had meant, and he saw Frederick wince in surprise. “I will not trick her into remaining. I will not do that to her.”
“It was a jest, man.” Frederick made a placating gesture.
“I do not care.” Alaric met his gaze, knowing there was steel in his eyes. “Swear to me that you will do everything in your power to investigate this swiftly. My man, Mr. Wilkins did not manageto turn up much, just enough that we know Oliver’s mother is alive.”
“Deverell—” Frederick began, but Alaric cut him off.
“—swear it.”
“I swear on my name and eternal soul, I will leave no stone unturned and waste no time in doing so.” He put his hand on his chest.
“Good.” Alaric leaned back in his chair.
“I still think that you are being ridiculous. You keep claiming that this is what she wants, but what about what you want? I have not seen you so warm in years. Do you really want to go back to how things were?” Frederick blurted. “Why not ask her to stay?”
“If she wanted to, she would. She knows that she can, and she is choosing not to. Who am I to stop her?” Alaric shrugged.
He knew that his answer to Frederick was only a part of the truth. The decision had to be hers, and if he asked her to stay, it would not be fair. How could he ask her to do that when she had already lost so much? She deserved her freedom. He could give her that.
I cannot ask her to stay.
But he wished he could.
CHAPTER 19
“Tell us everything!” Fiona exclaimed as she pulled Catherine into yet another embrace.
Catherine, Fiona, Louisa, and Harriet were all standing in the entrance hall of Coldmere Castle. Oliver and Alaric were out for a ride, both having recovered well from their bout of sickness.
I suppose I should thank Mrs. Langley for that.
It had seemed sensible to let the chaos of her friends’ arrival be tended to before introducing Oliver into the mix. Lord Frederick had returned to his country estate to investigate things further.
As soon as she had seen them, Catherine had thrown her arms around her friends. They had laughed and hugged her back so tightly she had feared that her ribs might break.
“No one has heard from you in months!” Louisa looped an arm through Catherine’s as they began to walk toward the drawing room, where tea and biscuits were waiting.
“It has not been that long.” Catherine frowned.
