“You pompous arse, Wells,” Charles said before she could even think not to.
The Countess let out a gasp while his lordship laughed heartily. “God, I’ve missed you, Fox.”
“I did not intend my statement to be amusing, sir.”
“Oh no.” He grinned. “You, my dear, meant it in all honesty, which makes me adore you all the more.” He turned to the Countess. “Lady Enright, your granddaughter is so refreshinglydirect compared to most other young ladies I find her simply irresistible. I shall not rest until I make her my wife.”
ButGrand-mèreappeared not to hear him, frantically ringing for smelling salts as she fanned herself profusely, crying, “Tom, Tom!” for the footman. In despair she implored, “Charles, girl, fetch me some water, please!”
***
Wells watched Charles half-heartedly rise to assist her grandmother. Her hips sashayed nicely in her London dress, encouraging his imagination to roam a tad freely and return to last night.
She placed a glass of water with a small thud upon the table before Lady Enright and then settled herself again upon the settee, pouring herself a cup of tea. She leaned back to stare at him and slowly sip.
“Why did you come to London, Wells?”
“Why, to bring you home, Charles.”
“What if I do not wish to go home?”
“Eleanor wishes it, and I wish it too.”
“Yet no one is consideringmywishes,” she snapped.
They were speaking as if Lady Enright were not even present.
“For too long no one considered your wishes, Charles. I am as guilty as the next. But I aim to change that now.”
“Then I must inform you of continued failure, sir.”
“Charles, I am trying. Surely you must see I mean to?—”
“What I see, my lord, is a man used to getting what he wants, and when denied his pleasure he resorts to force.”
“No one is forcing you to decide anything, Miss Merrinan.”
“Aren’t you, though?” Her voice rose in pitch. “Did you not deposit me here, in this house, forcing a reconciliation I do not wish?”
“I told you before I could see no other solution to your predicament than to?—”
“You could have simply let me go, damn it.”
“What, and allow you to destroy yourself here in London? Leave you compromised, endangered, or worse?” His exasperation grew. “For God’s sake, Charles, did you really think I’d let you come to harm?”
“Did you really think I expected your rescue?”
“Damn it, Fox, I will not let the woman I love?—”
“You do not love me, sir, you merely lust after me.”
He was stunned to realize she truly had no idea of his depth of feeling.
Lady Enright regained consciousness enough to look from one to the other and interject. “Charles,” she started meekly, “my dear, perhaps it were best you and Lord Wellesley took that turn about the courtyard now. I shall simply sit here by the window with a clear view to you both. It seems you have some catching up to do.” And for a brief moment her eyes met Wellesley’s with the faintest hint of sympathy.
He stood at once and presented Miss Merrinan his arm, which she grudgingly took. They left the parlor for the courtyard, to continue a conversation long in coming.
***
