“Much better.” She busied herself with her fork, avoiding the glances thrown her way. She knew they were all staring at her, trying to decide if she’d recovered from her low spirits, but she couldn’t stand to see the pity in their eyes.
Her father cleared his throat, and she looked to the head of the table. “Your mother and I were discussing when the best time would be to return to Westerleigh. We’ve been away for so long. I imagine we all are eager to get back.”
Panic assailed her. If they returned home, she may never see Gray again. It could be a year before they returned to London, even longer if her father had any say in the matter. Though she knew they had no future together, she couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing him.
But at the same time,seeinghim would be agony. Perhaps it was best that she return home. Were she to see him with another woman, it would destroy her. And a man like Gray wouldn’t have to look far for female company.
“I thought as soon as Jenna is able to travel, we could return home at a leisurely pace, stopping off at an inn for the night.”
Her father’s voice broke into her thoughts. They were leaving. Soon.
“I think that is a lovely idea, Pen,” her mother spoke up. “I confess I am eager to be home.”
“What about you, Sebastian...Quinn?” her father asked.
They nodded their agreement then all eyes turned to Jenna.
“And you, Jenna? Are you ready to return home? I’d think you’ve had enough of London for the moment.”
She swallowed the food that now tasted of sawdust and nodded.
“It’s settled then,” her father announced. “When the physician pronounces Jenna fit enough to travel, we’ll take our leave.”
###
Gray swirled the amber liquid in his glass, the contents blurring before him. He’d spent a solid week in a stupor, only wishing to numb the pain he felt in the very depths of his soul. Unfortunately all he had to show for it was more pain, in the form of a vile headache.
He’d been on the verge of going to Jenna’s house so many times. Wanting only to know how she was faring. If she was hurting. Just to see her a few moments. But he’d turned back each time, knowing that he wouldn’t be welcome.
And then she had appeared at the orphanage. Like a vision to a dying man. He’d watched her read to the children, completely entranced by her melodious voice. And then she’d looked up at him, and he had nearly drowned in her warm brown eyes.
How vulnerable she had looked. Her arm in a sling. His gut had churned all over again at the pain she had suffered. And all because he had failed to protect her.
She has spoken to him with such pain in her voice that he’d nearly crushed her to him. It had taken all his strength to let her walk out of the orphanage and once again out of his life.
Not even when Roslyn had died had he felt so utterly devastated and alone. He’d been given another chance at love and happiness, and he’d squandered it. No. It hadn’t ever been meant to be, and he should have realized it from the beginning. Should have turned her away the first day she came to his house.
A knock sounded at his library door. “Go away,” he snarled.
To his fury the door opened, and Masterson stood holding the knob. “Lady Lockhart is here to see you, sir. She was most insistent that you see her.”
He swore and dragged a hand through his unruly hair. He reeked of alcohol and hadn’t shaved in a week. In short, he looked like hell. “Show her in,” he growled.
“Would you like to take a moment to freshen up? I can have her wait in the drawing room.”
“I said show her in!”
The butler flinched at the ferocity of his tone and hastily withdrew. Gray slammed the drink down on his desk, liquid spilling over the rim.
A few moments later, Lady Lockhart timidly entered the room. He rose politely, and she walked over to his desk. “May I sit?”
“Of course,” he said gesturing to the chair next to her. He sat back down, and she gracefully settled into her seat. “What brings you here, Roberta?”
“I’ve heard disturbing rumors, Gray. I was worried about you so I came to see about you myself.”
“What rumors?” he demanded. A frisson of fear skittered down his spine. Had his affair with Jenna gotten out?
“I’ve heard that Lady Jenna suffered a wound and is convalescing at her parents’ home. Then there was the news of Viscount Dudley’s sudden death. It seemed a startling coincidence.” She paused and looked searchingly at him. “I’ve long suspected there was something between you and Lady Jenna. So, of course, I was concerned about you when I heard of her injury.”
