He was at the end of his rope. It was a long one, too. Some would say he’d had too long of a rope for too many years, swinging on it with wild abandon. But now, Purity had snipped it short.
Climbing down from his carriage, Matthew went to the door and rapped twice.
It swung open, and Mr. Dunley came into view.
“I am here to see my fiancée, Lady Purity.”
The man opened his mouth, but Matthew spoke for him.
“I understand she is not seeing anyone. But I am notanyone. I am engaged to be her husband.”
The butler did not wish to be in the middle of this lovers’ spat. That much was clear.
“Unfortunately, my lord—”
“Then tell Lord or Lady Diamond I must speak with one of them. I don’t care which one, but I refuse to be left standing on the doorstep like a beggar.”
Matthew stared down the butler, daring him to shut the door in his face instead of allowing him entry.
After a brief hesitation, Mr. Dunley stood back, opening the door wide.
“If you will wait in the drawing room, my lord, I will fetchsomeone.”
The man sounded exasperated.
For all Matthew could expect, Miss Brilliance or Miss Radiance might enter. Thankfully, ten long minutes later, it was Purity herself, rigid as a flagpole. She didn’t smile or greet him politely. She entered the room silently, came to a standstill a few feet in front of him, and waited.
“Good day,” he offered, suddenly nervous at her lack of greeting. Her expression couldn’t have been any less formidable than Medusa’s, and he almost didn’t want to look into her deep-blue eyes for fear of being struck down.
“Are you well?” he asked.
She nodded, her lips pursed.
“Did you receive my flowers and my notes?”
Again, she nodded.
“Won’t you speak?” he asked.
She paced away from him and back again.
“I don’t like confrontation, nor impolite remarks,” she said, “and thus, I do not wish to converse with you at present.”
Matthew had already removed his hat, and now he scratched his head.
“I am only confronting you in person because I could see no other way to elicit a response. As for the other, I shall refrain from any remarks that might be indecorous or rude as best I can.”
“I was speaking of myself,” she said. “Since everything I want to say to you seems to be about your sordid actions, I think it better if I remain silent.”
“Absurd,” he said, scanning his mind over the past few days. “I have not become any more of a scoundrel now than I was a week ago. Therefore, whatever has changed is within you, and Iwant to know why. I believe I deserve an answer even if you must speak about indecorous topics.”
“You deserve nothing but contempt,” she said before closing her mouth tightly again as if regretting even having said that little.
Inside, Matthew felt a wave of panic. He had been downright happy as her future husband. He couldn’t believe it might end so abruptly.
“You are judging and condemning me without even telling me why.”
She nodded.
