“Oh yes, considering how unsuitable I now am, deplorable even. I am sure theTondo not even recall my existence. No, it is nothing short of remarkable, isn’t it, that I should so suddenly suit you andGrand-pèreso well, should be so desirable now as granddaughter, thanks solely to my potential alliance with the future Duke of Allendale.”
“Charles Adelaide Merrinan.” Her grandmother drew herself tall. “Your mother did not raise you to speak to your elders in such impudent, ill manner. I will not tolerate such disrespect in my own house, young lady, and you will?—”
“And I will nottolerate the abject disrespect you showed Father after Mother’s death. Nor will I be ordered about as if I were a child, madam, when I am now a grown woman.”
Charles stood in a huff, threw down her napkin, and stormed from the kitchen.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
At precisely three o’clock that afternoon Wells knocked upon the door of the Enright residence carrying a profusion of purple hyacinths and a parcel under his arm. He had shaved and dressed smartly, looking, he hoped, every bit a proper suitor. As he was ushered into the drawing room, he debated briefly running screaming in the opposite direction, but he swallowed his pride and steeled himself to receive a certain lady’s wrath. That Charles should be angry with him would surely prove to be an understatement.
Seeing her seated primly on the sofa in formal dress, her hair done up in the latest style, was a small shock. She looked nothing like his Fox yet was absolutely stunning.
He swept into a low bow as she curtsied in return, accepting his bouquet with barely murmured thanks before handing it to the footman who placed it in a vase. Then he handed her the parcel.
“I believe this belongs to you, Miss Merrinan, as requested.”
“And my other belongings, sir, at the inn?” she reminded tersely.
“I’m afraid those were no longer retrievable, miss. The inn had already let your room to another.”
“Blast,” she swore softly enough only he could hear.
“My lord,” Lady Enright entreated, “won’t you please join us? Charles and I were about to take tea.”
“I had hoped to take a turn about your gardens with Miss Merrinan, Countess.” He stared pointedly at the lady. “As the weather is so pleasant today.”
“It is, isn’t it?” She ignored his plea, making him itch. “Perhaps after tea, Charles, you would like to show his lordship the courtyard garden?”
“Of course,Grand-mère,though you shall have to remind me where it is, being, as I am, a stranger to this house.” Her eyes locked onto her grandmother with a look Wells appreciated; she was still his cunning Fox beneath her newly coiffed exterior.
“Oh, it has hardly changed since you were last here, dear.”
Charles’s expression remained unyielding.
The Countess continued unperturbed. “My granddaughters used to love to run about the courtyard when they were children, my lord. It was their favorite pastime when visiting.”
***
“That is because Papa preferred the outdoors to anywhere inside this house,” Charles reminded her grandmother, inwardly incensed. “We followed him wherever the poor man soughtrefuge.”
Her grandmother did indeed wince, shooting Charles a glare.
Charles ignored her. “And what brings you here, today, Lord Wellesley?” She cast him a withering look. “Checking up on me, or simply here to gloat?” She did not like what she saw. His beautiful curls had been trimmed short, ridiculous mutton chops now decorated his cheeks, and a sharp-tailored suit madehim look like every other London dandy. This was not the man she knew.
His lips twitched, as if he were amused. “Why, I am here to call formally upon you, Miss Merrinan, as Lord and Lady Enright have granted me permission to court you. I shall visit every day now, to pay you the honor and respect you deserve as my intended.”
“And why was I not included in this discussion, sir?” Charles wanted to punch his smug face. “I do not recall giving your lordship the impression I desired your courtship in the least.”
“Oh I beg to differ, Miss Merrinan, as you have giveneveryimpression in past you were most keen to receive my attentions.”
The rotten man made her blush, for his eyes perused her body in a manner so brash he clearly imagined other parts of her blushing too.
“My lord, you take bold liberty with your words, for I have given you no reason to?—”
Her grandmother cut her short. “Ah, here’s our tea now, thank you, Tom.” The Countess barely glanced at the footman. “Do you take it black, Lord Wellesley, or in the usual?”
“Black, thank you.” He turned again to Charles. “Miss Merrinan, regardless of how you may presently feel towards my person, I assure you my intention remains resolute. I will court you now until such day as you accept my suit.”
