Abruptly, he let go of her arm, and stalked up the stairs, all the while continuing his tirade.She distinctly heard him say.“I hate what you make me do.”Before he disappeared up the stairs.
She stood there, her hand still on her cheek as her mother appeared.“Oh darling,” she cried, racing down the steps.“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she winced, the heat from her cheek, seeping through her fingers.
“Are you certain,” her mother asked, inspecting her face.She tilted her chin up, looking at the skin.“I don’t think you’ll bruise.”
All the same, tears pricked at her eyes.Would he follow through and toss her out?Good.Would they have access to enough funds to secure lodging?Her head bent forward as she attempted to do the math, but her mind just didn’t seem to work properly.
What life would they have until she could access the full dowry?Would there be enough funds for basic necessities?And how would she find a husband?She’d risk it all to never look at Eugene again.
The front door opened and Charlotte appeared again.“Priscilla?”
She spun, crossing the entry as she opened her arms to her friend.Surely Charlotte would know what to do.
Charlotte wrapped her in a hug.“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.I just…” A single tear slipped from her eyes.
Her mother joined them, wrapping them both in her arms.“We’ll find a way out of this,” she whispered.Was she consoling Priscilla or herself?
A tap sounded from the street and Priscilla lifted her head to see what had made the sound.As she glanced at Charlotte’s carriage, her gaze met Wyatt’s, his cane tapping the side of the carriage.Her heart jumped up into her throat.
Instantly, her body responded to him, a yearning to step into his arms filling her.But she tamped it back.He was not what he seemed.
“Get some air with Charlotte,” her mother whispered.“Come in through the kitchen when you return.If Eugene asks, I’ll tell him you’ve gone to bed with a megrim.”
Before Priscilla could even answer, Charlotte let her go and then quickly grabbed her hand, pulling her out the door.“Thank goodness your mother suggested you come with me.I have more to tell you and so does Wyatt.You should hear him out…”
But Priscilla stopped listening as Wyatt stepped up and took her other hand.
More tears filled her eyes as his gaze met hers.Why was she so emotional now?Was it what had just happened with Eugene?What she’d learned about Wyatt?
Yesterday she’d been so certain she’d found the right path, and now that future was slipping away.
“Lord Ware.”Her bare fingers brushed against his gloved hand as she realized she wore neither hat nor gloves.
Charlotte waved and the footman snapped to attention, opening the door.Lord Ware handed her in and then reached his hand back to Priscilla.
She hesitated for a moment.“I don’t…”
He stepped closer.“Lady Westmoreland will be with us.Please.There is something I need to tell you.”
Slowly, she placed her hand in his, tendrils of energy curling through her even now at his touch.
He handed her into the carriage and climbed in behind her, snapping the door shut.She sat next to Charlotte as he settled across from them on the rear-facing seat.
Her fingers twisted together as the carriage started forward.Silence filled the interior.She closed her eyes, letting her chin fall to her chest.What might Wyatt possibly say that would undo the damage done this afternoon?
But they hadn’t moved for more than a minute when the vehicle stopped again.She snapped her chin up again.“Why did we stop?”
“I fancy some air,” Charlotte murmured before she leaned closer and added.“And I swear I am done meddling in my friend’s romances.”
“Romances?”she said as Charlotte climbed from the carriage once again.
Wyatt cleared his throat.Her gaze fluttered to his before she looked away again.
“Priscilla, are you all right?”
