“That’s not for me to tell, and I don’t necessarily agree with Lucy for telling you.”
But he already had his answer. Lucy had been telling the truth. Meg had something to say to him. But what? What could possibly have been so important? What could possibly make this entire fiasco all right? He obviously would have to ask Meg.
Hart turned on his heel.
“Wait,” Sarah called.
“I’m through waiting,” Hart tossed over his shoulderas he strode back to where his wife was holding court. He pushed his way through the crowd surrounding her. Approaching from behind, he bent and whispered in her ear, “I need to talk to you. Now.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Meg did her best to keep her breathing steady and her face blank, but her heart was pounding what felt like a thousand beats a minute. Hart’s familiar scent filled her nostrils, and he needed to talk to her.
Christian was at least right about Hart being ready to talk, but God only knew what he meant to say. She’d thought after all these weeks she was ready for this, but she wasn’t. Not at all. “Perhaps later,” she trilled in as nonchalant a voice as she could muster. “I’m enjoying myself at the moment.”
“Make your excuses,” he growled in her ear. “Because I’m not above dragging you out of here.”
Meg swallowed. He was serious. Quite serious. “Excuse us, won’t you, everyone,” she said to the group. A round of unhappy voices saying good-byes ensued, and she was on her way with Hart’s hand on her elbow, walking briskly toward the foyer. When they reached thecorridor outside of the ballroom, Sarah hurried up to them, her blue skirts hoisted in her gloved hand.
Sarah let her skirts drop and planted both fists on her hips. “What do you think you’re doing? You’re acting positively medieval. Let go of Meg.”
“Get out of here, Sarah,” Hart growled.
“Meg?” Sarah asked, her voice high and worried. “Are you all right?” She searched her friend’s face.
“I don’t know,” Meg replied. “I suppose I should ask myhusbandif he intends to take me home and beat me. Is that your intention,darling?” she sneered. “Oh, my apologies, darling is the name yourlovercalls you, isn’t it?”
“Beating isn’t my style,” Hart drawled. He didn’t slow his pace, forcing both Meg and Sarah to lift their skirts and half run to keep up with him.
“Promise me you won’t say or do anything rash,” Sarah cried. “I cannot allow you to leave here with Meg if you won’t promise.”
“She’s my wife,” he bit out, still not slowing his pace.
“She’s my closest friend.”
They entered the foyer and Hart ordered a footman to fetch his coach. The young man scampered off. Hart let go of Meg’s arm and paced around the space like a caged animal while Meg watched, wondering what he intended to say to her when he got her alone.
“I’m waiting,” Sarah said. “Promise me you will treat Meg properly or I swear I’ll make a bigger scene than you ever dreamed of. I’ll bring the entire ballroom running with my screams.”
“For God’s sake, don’t be so dramatic.” Hart looked out the narrow window flanking the door for the coach.“I’m not going to hurt her. You should know I don’t have that in me.”
“You’re not going to say anything hurtful to her, either?” Sarah prompted.
Hart turned on his heel and glared at his sibling. He opened his mouth to speak, but Meg stepped between them. She faced Sarah. “It’s fine, Sarah, really. I can face going home with myhusbandand having a conversation.”
Sarah continued to give Hart a suspicious look. “Are you certain, Meggie?”
“I can handle blustering and fits. I’ve dealt with it from my mother my entire life.”
***
Damn it. She was comparing him to hermother. Perhaps he was being an ass, but jealousy had got the better of him. Hart waved his hand in the air. “You hear that? She’s certain.”
“Very well.” Sarah lifted her chin. “But if I hear tomorrow that you’ve done anything you shouldn’t have…” Sarah wagged a finger at her brother menacingly before giving Meg a quick hug.
The coach came around and Hart pushed open the door to allow Meg to precede him outside. He helped her into the coach and climbed in after her, sitting across from her on the burgundy velvet squabs.
He didn’t say a word as they rode to their town house. He merely glared at her like an ass while she sat calmly watching him, her hands crossed over her middle.
