“Of course, he flatly denied meeting Drusilla with the intention of pursuing an affair. He said she asked to see him on some urgent matter, but he left soon afterward.” She put her hands to her head, which was fuzzy. “I saw him leave the ballroom, casual as you please. And then return sometime later. Drusilla came directly after him. Brazen woman didn’t even attempt to hide it.”
“How long were they away?”
“I don’t know, I was dancing with Walsh. It couldn’t have been much more than ten minutes.”
“Hardly long enough for a tête-à-tête. Perhaps he is telling the truth.”
Nellie shrugged. “But time enough to arrange one.” She sighed. “I knew this would happen. Drusilla was his first choice. He didn’t want to marry me, Marian. He has never told me he loves me. I suppose he never will.” She covered her eyes with her hands. “Trouble is, I admired him. I liked him, Marian.”
Marian sighed. “Dearest. You love him.”
Nellie shook her head. “No, I don’t. I can’t. He has a horrible temper. Who would have believed it?” Nellie nodded sagely. “Well, I witnessed it today.”
“Did he frighten you?”
“His anger wasn’t directed at me. I know Charles would never hurt a woman. That he would attack a helpless journalist is inexplicable.”
“What did Papa say about that?”
“He didn’t believe it. Said there was another side to the story.”
“Well, maybe there was. Don’t give up on him, dearest. Married couples have these quarrels. Making up is half the fun.”
Nellie scowled. “Two, and possibly three women in as many weeks? It is intolerable.”
The footman entered with the tray. Marian gestured to the small table. “Put it down, William, and leave us.”
“This will help.” She filled Nellie’s cup with the hot brew from the coffee pot. “You must think about what next to do.”
“I’ve already decided.” Nellie straightened her shoulders. “I shall become very busy. I’ll set up my literary salon and invite Walsh to participate.”
“The salon is an excellent idea, but I’m not sure about the Irishman.” Marian eyed her anxiously. “Charles might not like it.”
“Well, of course, he won’t,stupid!” Nellie said with an affectionate smile.
Marian nodded in approval. “I knew you wouldn’t stay down in the doldrums for long.”
*
Charles was leftwith the image of Nellie, her chest rising and falling with rapid, harsh breaths. With intense disgust, he studied the mess on his study floor his temper had created and cursed. He’d acted like a bad-tempered oaf. And he prided himself on being a rational man not given to acts of violence.
He might have been a young fool at university and behaved in a manner he’d rather forget when he’d beaten up a bully who was all mouth and little muscle, while the men cheered him on. And again when he’d given Fairbrother’s son a good shake. Unforgiveable losses of self-control. And now he’d lost it in front of Nellie, the most unpardonable of sins.
He should have taken her in his arms and reassured her, insisted that what she feared wasn’t true. But he’d been shocked to the core by the distrust and accusation in her eyes. The lack of affection. As if she just didn’t know him. It crippled him, stopped him from reaching out to her. He heard her flee along the corridor, then her feet on the stairs, but struggled to compose himself. What could he say in his defense when she was clearly determined not to believe him?
The deuce!All he wanted was a peaceful life. Might that be impossible? Would Nellie now go off half-cocked every time he looked at another woman? Angelique’s behavior was, and he hoped he’d impressed on her that it must stop. He’d grown to depend on Nellie’s affection. He had no wish to take another mistress. He and Nellie must work out their differences, for he did not intend to live like a monk.
But she’d eyed him as if he was the worst kind of rake.Damn Drusilla!That note had been nothing short of combustible. As she had intended. A woman spurned? Might he have handled it more tactfully? He seemed to be failing on all counts.
Charles straightened his study. He refused to leave the mess to Barlow. On his knees, he ordered the sheets of paper, then dabbed ineffectually at the rug with the despised handkerchief. Then tossed it into the bin. His housekeeper would take care of the carpet stain. While he worked, he questioned why Nellie had not trusted him enough to come to him when all this began. He’d sensed an element of distrust in him almost from the moment they met, in fact. Unfathomable. And then he thought of the article she’d mentioned describing that business with Angelique. When had Nellie first seen it? Was it before they met?
He groaned as he regained his chair and clasped his head in his hands. He and Nellie had been together such a short time. He’d been content with his marriage, admiring Nellie, falling under her spell. Delighting in the passion they shared. How could he ever get that back? Convince her that he wasn’t guilty of adultery? He racked his brain for ways to put his case to her.
Finally calmer, he went upstairs with the hope she might at least listen to him.
“The duchess isn’t here, Your Grace,” Lilly told him when he entered her bedchamber.
As he made his way to his suite, his gaze settled on the mantel clock. They were to ride this afternoon. That was out. Nellie would be with Marian. It was a wonder his ears weren’t burning. No sense going there. But Marian was a wise soul. He could only hope she would present an alternate view, and not damn him to hell. Maybe she should for his blinkered short-sightedness. He had seen Angelique toss that rose at his feet outside the cathedral and chose to ignore it. He should have gone straight to her. Had it out with her. But he didn’t want to think of her while his head was filled with Nellie.
