Page 59 of The Beastly Earl

What would she say if he told her about this morning's events? The answer immediately followed the question. She would be a lioness ready to do battle on his behalf. Although she'd never said it, he knew she cared little for the dowager countess. The thought made him long to go to her and seek solace in her arms.

A split-second later, the anger he'd pushed aside broke free of its restraints. Under different circumstances he knew his anger would have been short live. He had a strong suspicion as to why she'd deceived him, but he needed to cast that aside and use her deception as the means to send her away. It meant he needed to use every bit of his rage from this morning's revelations to bolster his anger for the battle to come.

Tension hardened his muscles, and in subconscious movement of his shoulder, he made his metal hand flex again. Wills uttered a sound of delight at the movement, completely oblivious to the fact his mother was in the room. The sound made Louisa jerk her gaze to the boy, and annoyance crossed her lovely features.

“William Wallace Morehouse. You were given specific instructions not to ask his lordship any more questions about his arm.” A glance at the boy revealed Wills had come to a rigid posture of attention.

“The boy was honest in expressing curiosity," he said coldly and deliberately paused as he narrowed his gaze at Louisa. “Unlike others who are far more deceptive as to their real intentions, Lady Westbrook.”

The moment he addressed her by her title, Louisa jerked in surprise then grew pale as apprehension swept across her features.

“I can explain—”

“An explanation I would like to hear right now.” Ewan narrowed his gaze at her, and she bobbed her head quickly then looked at her son.

“Wills, go to the schoolroom. I expect your lessons to be completed by dinner.”

“But Mama—”

“Go.” The curt command made the child wince, but he nodded with obedience, then hurried toward the exit.

“Close the door behind you, Wills," Ewan said quietly. "I wish to have a private word with your mother.”

At his instructions, Louisa jumped, but didn’t move as the door closed behind her son. For the first time since they’d met, there wasn’t an ounce of defiance on her face. Uncertainty was the only thing he saw.

“I’m waiting, Lady Westbrook,” he grounded out between clenched teeth.

“My brother said Ross needed me.”

“Your brother.” A loud snort of condescending disbelief escaped him.

"Yes, my brother," she snapped as her defiance returned. “Caleb died in the same fire as my husband. He’s visited me several times since I arrived at Argaty Keep. He’s the reason you found me that night on the moor. I was ready to give up and die, but he wouldn’t let me.”

Ewan slowly rose from his chair and closed the distance between them. The apprehension he’d seen a minute ago was gone. In its place was the usual spirited rebelliousness he’d come to expect—even enjoy. That she'd managed to divert his attention from the matter at hand so easily added fuel to his anger.

“What makes your brother think Ross needs you,” he sneered.

She drew in a sharp breath as he stopped a foot away from her. Ewan glared down at her as he fought to ignore the sweet scent of roses mixed with orange blossom filling his nostrils.

“It wasn’t just Caleb who said Ross needed me. The an dara sealladh showed me how unhappy he was.”

“The lad was not your concern.”

“The an dara sealladh and my brother made Ross my concern.” She leaned forward and returned his glare. “And if you’d take a moment to let that sink into your half-witted brain, you would agree that he’s blossomed since I’ve been here.”

“That is not the point.” Ewan scowled at her unable to deny what she’d said. “You lied to me, Lady Westbrook."

"I did not lie to you."

"You presented yourself as a woman on the brink of destitution.”

“And would you have agreed to employ me as Ross’s governess if you’d known otherwise?” Louisa’s hazel eyes flashed with anger as she silently dared him to disagree. Unable to deny the point, Ewan remained silent, and Louisa rolled her eyes in disgust. “I didn’t think so.”

“That doesn't change the fact that you deceived me.”

“Well, if you expect me to apologize for doing what I believed was the right thing to do, then you can wait until hell freezes over.” The defiant words made him grit his teeth.

“What other lies have you told me, Louisa?”