Page 57 of Reforming Lord Neil

Inglewood’s tone was cold as he spoke. “One hopes you have enough of an intellect to take Lord Neil’s warning to heart, Mr. Clapham. Best not to loiter.”

Neil stepped back, allowing Clapham to escape away at last. He did so, nearly at a running pace, never looking back.

“I find myself almost inclined to approve of you in this moment, Lord Neil.” Despite his words, Inglewood’s tone had not changed from how he had addressed Clapham.

“Let us not be too hasty, my lord.” Neil relaxed somewhat. “Though I will express my thanks for your part in all of this. I admit, I did not expect you to show any interest at all in Mrs. Clapham’s situation. Given that I am the one that brought notice to it.”

Inglewood shrugged, then made to cross the street.

Neil followed a step behind.

“I confess, I was more intrigued precisely because you were involved. Your assistance this summer with Sir Isaac and Miss Wedgewood confused me. I thought it an abnormality in your behavior.”

They stepped into the foyer, the butler there took their hats and acted as though nothing strange had occurred with the two lords running out a side door only minutes before.

“While we have never cared much for each other, Lord Inglewood, I am not as morally lacking as you seem to believe.” Neil crossed his arms over his chest and pulled in a deep breath. It was time to do the right thing. Teresa’s admonishment from the inn the day before had stayed with him. “There is more I would say to you, if we might step into a private room.”

Inglewood raised his eyebrows but gave no other indication of his curiosity. He motioned to a nearby door. “This room will do.”

Neil went inside first, but stopped after only a few steps. Lady Inglewood sat in a chair near the window, looking out over the street. She watched them enter, her hands folded in her lap. “I heard your voices downstairs a few minutes ago, but by the time I entered the corridor you had both gone. Imagine my surprise when I came in here only to spy two lords, who are known to dislike each other, across the street together. You both appeared to be on the same side for once.”

Neil hesitated and looked to Inglewood, whose expression had cracked enough to show his amusement.

“Interesting, is it not? Lord Neil brought my attention to an unwanted guest.” He went to stand by the countess’s chair, and he dropped a kiss upon her cheek. “Lord Neil wanted to speak to me in private on some matter or other.”

“Should I leave?” She prepared to stand.

“Please, stay.” Neil’s bravado vanished completely before the young countess. Her presence would actually make easier one of the hardest things he had ever done in his life. “What I have to say is best said to you both.”

“Now I am most intrigued,” Inglewood murmured, one hand on the back of his wife’s chair.

The lady gave her husband a narrow-eyed glare, then turned a more welcoming look upon Neil. He had always liked her. First, he had been intrigued by her beauty, and then by the way her husband had seemingly put her aside as though she was completely unwanted, directly after their marriage. Having been cast off and left to himself, made to feel unwanted by his own flesh and blood, Neil had seen in Lady Esther Inglewood a chance to offer comfort and in turn receive comfort.

Yet now he realized, with a clarity he had never sought, how wrong his actions had been.

“I am well aware that I am regarded by your family and friends with dislike, and no little amount of suspicion. As I have cultivated that view with my actions for the last several years, I will understand now if you have difficulty believing what I am about to say.”

“A man’s actions speak more to his character than his words,” Inglewood grumbled.

“I cannot think that Lord Neil has acted in too many reprehensible ways, darling.” Lady Inglewood looked up at her husband, her expression one of patience. “Let us hear him out.”

When the earl said nothing against him, Neil cleared his throat. Then he stood with legs apart, back straight, and hands at his side. He met Inglewood’s stare with directness. “I wish to apologize to you, both of you, for my conduct toward Lady Inglewood after your marriage. I approached her with a dishonorable intention, and I convinced myself what I was doing was not wrong, merely because so many others have acted the same.” He saw the earl’s scowl darken, and Lady Inglewood’s eyes widen.

Neil kept his words firm, speaking with all sincerity of heart. “I have justified my actions to myself more times than I care to count, but I have of late realized the immense stupidity and heartlessness of what I attempted. I should never have risked your reputation, my lady, nor attempted to cause you pain, my lord.” He braced himself for Inglewood’s displeasure, for his wife’s disgust. “I wish to make amends, if possible. I also offer to see myself out of this house, if that is preferred.”

For several long moments, no one said anything. Then Lady Inglewood stood and turned to her husband, placing her hand over his where it remained gripping the chair. Neil watched, fascinated to see how they communicated with nothing more than their eyes.

Then Lady Inglewood turned to face Neil again, retaining her husband’s hand in hers. “I never expected you would apologize, Lord Neil. Please know, I forgave you a very long time ago.”

“I am not so merciful as my wife.” Inglewood sounded curious, if anything. “Why now, Lord Neil?”

They deserved to know, Neil supposed. Though he rather wished to have the whole thing over and done with. He meant what he said. He experienced true remorse upon thinking of how he had flirted with Lady Inglewood, had burdened her with his presence. He had never much cared for Inglewood’s part, until he realized the reason behind Inglewood’s anger.

“I have only recently learned what it means to protect someone.” Neil lowered his eyes to the floor, where an immense rug covered in a swirling pattern of flowers blurred beneath his hard stare. “To care for another enough to stand between them and harm, whether it is the ill-judgment of others or a physical threat. I trespassed upon Lady Inglewood’s kindness, I tried to break the trust between you both, and I did not concern myself if anyone was hurt by my actions.”

“I understand perfectly,” Lady Inglewood said. When Neil looked up, she wore a wide smile, and her eyes glittered with excitement. “You have at last confirmed my suspicions. You are in love with Mrs. Clapham.”

Neil said nothing, though he clenched his jaw tight against agreeing with her.