The door clicked behind him as he left, and an odd sensation settled over him. Somewhere in the progression of their argument, there had been a shift in their dynamic.Hehad become the voice of reason. The one who looked out for the welfare of the family.
Reflecting on the past few years, he realized all his flamboyant clothes and ridiculous flirting had equaled that of a clean faced youth rather than a man nearly eight and twenty. Like a toddling babe, he’d thrown a tantrum with his actions rather than simply standing on principle.
If he’d declared his love for Javenia to his father and refused to budge, would he have had any power to threaten him? Certainly he could, but maybe respect would have grown if Algenon hadjust removed himself to the cottage in Essex and worked to support himself.
What of Javenia, though? His father still held the power to humiliate her. Of course, Algenon hadn’t done much better. If Lady Plum was correct, he’d already ruined Javenia. Her modest dowry and connections could still make her a match, but not one founded on love—a foundation Javenia held to with fervor.
He needed to see her, to speak to her. If he’d truly put her in such a position, it was his responsibility to get her out of it. Flagging down a servant, he requested they ready his phaeton, before gathering his outerwear.
She had been terribly hurt yesterday, so there was a great chance she wouldn’t see him, but he had to try. It would set more London tongues to wagging, but what did he care anymore? No matter which direction he turned, Javenia was bound to be hurt. She at least deserved the truth before everything came crashing down around them.
Donning his top hat, he bounded down the steps of Roberts House and into the waiting carriage with its sleek black body and bright yellow wheels. Ribbons in hand, he gave them a flick, and the roan mare sped into a trot.
On the way, he passed several couples out for afternoon strolls, their walking apparel especially fine. The small detail didn’t register until he reached Lord and Lady Upton’s house, and the butler declared the family to be out.
“And when will they be back?” Algenon asked.
“When services are finished, I presume.” The tall angular man furrowed his brow, looking at Algenon as if he’d lost his mind.
Services? His shoulders fell. It was Sunday. The Harrises always attended St. James on Sunday. Algenon had only attended haphazardly through his youth and adult years, his father never having been much of a churchgoing man. He’d been so caught up in relieving Phillipa of Lord Rupert’s repugnantattentions that he’d not even paid attention to the day of the week.
Why then, had Lord Rupert come to visit at all? Sundays were reserved for close family and friends. Did he consider himself as such with only a short acquaintance?
Algenon reached in his pocket to retrieve a card, then stopped. “Could I wait until the family returns?”
The butler’s face twisted into a grimace. They were not strangers to one another, as Algenon had visited on several occasions over the years, so it was easy to read the man’s reticence.
“Not today, Mr. Roberts. Lord Upton requested no visitors.”
“But he is not even home.”
“No visitors at all, even after they return. The family needs time to…rest.”
The family needed to rest, or Javenia needed to rest from him? Was she really that upset? Had his father told her about his presence the night Penwick assaulted her? It was possible.
If so, she probably hated him. Did she think he’d broken his promise? He wanted to march right back to Roberts House and shake his father until he told him what he’d said to her.
It would do no good, and he knew it. He was becoming completely irrational. He needed to wait, give Javenia time like he always did. She would come around.
Only this time, he worried they didn’t have time. If rumors continued to spread, she could find herself alienated from Society before the season had even fully started.
Pulling the card from his pocket, he handed it to the butler. “Please let thewholefamily know I came to call.”
He hoped the butler would take the hint and not keep his presence this afternoon a secret. Then he placed his hat back on his head and left.
There was nothing left to do but wait.
Algenon hated waiting.
Chapter 20
The next two days were a blur. Javenia attended church with her parents at St. James’s and accepted callers at the appropriate time, but nothing eased the ache. Her mother and father, bless them, had sat in silence with her all Sunday evening until she couldn’t take it anymore and went to bed.
As she’d always suspected, their opposition had crumbled when they saw how much she loved Algenon, but none of that mattered. She no longer had the will to fight.
On Monday, Cindy reminded her they were to attend the opera with the Duke and Duchess of Bedford. Javenia tried to make her excuses, but her parents would not have it. They insisted she attend.
She did not miss the worried glances between them when she acquiesced with little resistance, but she didn’t care. It took too much effort to care where she went or what she did.
