My skin felt ten sizes too tight, my lungs laughing at my attempts to calm my nerves with a few deep breaths.
“I—” I started, swallowing hard. “I meant, handsome, as in—”
Graham bit his lower lip, perhaps to keep from laughing at my failing attempt to recover myself. HeknewI was mortified, but he wouldn’t save me.
“Everett,” a man’s familiar voice called from behind. Deep. Raspy, like he’d just finished a cigar.
I drew in a sharp breath. I knew that voice.
My shoulders tensed, lips parted, breath stilled inside my lungs. His gait was familiar, too, for we’d walked alongside each other often over the past few months. The thud of his fashionable cane came to a stop nearby.
Graham, instantly alert, tore off his spectacles as he swung around. He straightened, frowning, as Mr. Lennox took another few steps closer. “Lennox,” Graham said, shoving his spectacles into his jacket pocket.
Mr. Lennox’s round blue eyes found mine. I’d once searched for those eyes in a crowded room; now I wished to hide from them at any cost. His attention sent my mind into a panicked state. I should run. I should hide. And yet, I remained frozen in my spot. “And Miss Lane. What a delightful surprise. I had no idea you’d removed to Brighton.” His tallform bowed low as he held fast to his sleek, lion-headed cane, then rose again.
He grinned down at me, his face so perfectly symmetrical, his jaw so manly and square. I’d half expected deep-set scars or black eyes as cold as his heart, and yet, despite the shocking revelation now between us, he remained unchanged. Only now upon close examination did I realize that his cunning smile did not quite reach his eyes.
He had lied to me for months. Deceived me into affection, and when the truth of his engagement came to light, he’d claimedhewas the one who’d been deceived.
I might be a poor judge of character, but I was not that daft.
What the devil was he doing here? From Bath, he should’ve traveled straight back to London. Were the unanswered notes not enough of a clue? He had somehow found and followed me.
Graham bowed in return, but I did not trust myself to speak.
“You vanished halfway through the Season,” Mr. Lennox said to Graham, spinning his cane to reveal encrusted diamonds as the lion’s eyes. Jewels he absolutely could not afford. “I hear you’ve been busy here in Brighton.”
“I have indeed.” Graham looked between us expectantly, like he waited for one of us to explode.
“Yes, well, some fortunes must be built, I suppose. Good for you.” Mr. Lennox gave a solemn nod.
The arrogance! The whole of Society must know by now how he had wasted away his fortune near to nothing.
Then, “Miss Lane, may I have a moment of your time?”
He’d softened his voice, gaze pleading. Desperate, undoubtedly. But I had nothing left to give him.
“Mr. Lennox, as you can see, I’m quite entertained at present.”
He raised a brow and glanced at Graham with a look of distaste—had I once looked at Graham that way?—that only served to anger me. How dare he look down upon anyone, let alone Graham, who was his opposite in every way. “I see that. Did you—well, I hope you enjoyed the roses I’ve sent.”
Graham started to rub the back of his neck, and I realized there were eyes all around, watching us. I would not give them more to whisper about.
I tilted my head with a tense smile and said, “They’ve wilted.”
“Mr. Everett! How nice to see you,” a slender woman said as she strode to Mr. Lennox’s side. Young, small, with a round, cheery face framed with blonde curls and a well-trimmed hat.
My face turned instantly cold, and I could not help but study her. Was she the woman?Thewoman Mr. Lennox had kept secret from me, all the while begging for an opportunity to court me? And I’d almost allowed it. The entirety of London had watched with bated breath until one brave soul stepped forward to speak the truth. A stranger, but a godsend, had saved me.
Graham straightened. “Miss Ryan, how do you do?” He bowed low, and she giggled.
“Very well, thank you, Mr. Everett. I see you are acquainted with my cousin. He is visiting for the week,” she said, looking at Graham like a hopeful child in front of a sweet shop. She might as well have offered herself on a platter by the way she salivated over him.
Not her, then, for Mr. Lennox’s intended had not been a relation at all. My shoulders dropped an inch, but I’d grown weary.I could not stand as tall as I had, for I felt like I’d run from London to Brighton and back again.
“Indeed,” Graham said to the woman. “How is your family?”
“How kind of you to inquire. My mother is quite recovered,” she said in a quiet voice, and something secret passed between her and Graham. The feeling brewing in my chest turned colder. Uglier. Graham had a life here. People knew him, admired him, begged for his company. Judging by the way her eyes wandered over Graham’s face, the two of them were well-acquainted.
