Page 28 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

“Yes. But I didn’t look into it. I judged her without a shred of evidence. And, yes, if I consider it honestly, I was more inclined to believe it because she wasn’t genteel. Not one of ‘us.’ I should have gone to Oxford to talk to Adam myself. I should have met her.”

“Stop flogging yourself because you didn’t run to Adam’s aid. You’re not everyone’s protector.”

“But I should have been her protector, not the bane of her existence.”

“Well, now you are,” Nathan said. “I know you, and no one could be safer anywhere than at Stonecliffe under your watch.”

“I’ll make sure of that,” Carlisle said grimly.

“I would go with you except my mother has demanded that I stay here through her next ball. I have no idea why since I am of no use at all in planning a party, but I cannot refuse. She would cry, and...”

“And you would feel guilty and give in. You never have been able to withstand a woman’s tears. Too bad I can’t give you some of my rigid, overbearing ways.” Carlisle’s lips quirked up at the corner.

Nathan snorted. “As if you ever turned down one of Lady Drewsbury’s requests.”

“Well, who could refuse Lady Drewsbury?”

“True,” Nathan admitted. “But my point is that after I see my mother through her party, I will go back to the manor. I’ll be only a few miles away, and I will help you any way I can.”

“Thank you. I don’t want to put you to the trouble, but I admit I will be happy for another set of eyes and ears there.”

“Trust me, you won’t put me to any trouble. That will be taken care of by Mr. Thompkins.”

“Who?”

“My solicitor. My very wise, very cautious, very punctilious solicitor.”

“Ah, yes. The one who reminds you of an undertaker. Even so, I think wisdom and caution are considered traits to look for in a solicitor, no matter their pallor.”

“I suppose they are. I just wish he didn’t always tell me something I don’t want to hear...such as how much marrying an heiress would help my finances.” Nathan sighed and looked down at his drink, swirling it around in its glass. “It’s especially irksome since the only woman I want is even more penniless than I.”

“I know.”

“And she loves another.”

“I should think Annabeth is over Sloane by now.”

“Perhaps. But she certainly hasn’t transferred her affections to me. Am I a fool, Carlisle, to keep on waiting?”

Carlisle shrugged. “I’m not the person to ask. I’m not the kind of man who falls head over heels in love. Indeed, apparently I am terrible with women.”

Nathan chuckled, shrugging off his mood. “Don’t worry. You can win Lady Rutherford over. Apologize, and she’ll come around.” He added warningly, “But don’t try to explain why; you’ll only dig yourself a deeper hole. Trust me.”

“I am well aware of that; I was trapped in that quicksand last night.” He sighed. “Of course I will apologize. But somehow I think that Noelle and I are not destined to become friends.”

After Nathan left, Carlisle went in search of Noelle. It was better to take his medicine now than wait, letting her dislike of him grow. He found her in the gallery where Adam’s paintings hung. And, curse his luck, she was looking at the paintings of her that Carlisle had obviously set aside.

She glanced back at the sound of his entrance. “I see that I have been consigned to the dustbin.” Her tone was light, even faintly amused, but Carlisle knew better than to believe for even a second that she felt no resentment.

“No. That’s not—” What the devil could he say? There was no denying his exclusion. He could feel a flush of embarrassment spreading across his cheeks. Clasping his hands behind his back, he said stiffly, “I apologize. I, um, assumed things I shouldn’t. And, um...” Don’t try to explain. Nathan’s advice sounded in his brain. “I judged you without any real evidence. I am sorry. I hope you will forgive me.” There. It’s done. Carlisle let out a sigh of relief. It was easy to apologize for little things, but it was damnably hard when the matter went deep.

Clearly he had surprised her, but after a moment, Noelle said, “I appreciate your apology. It would be easier if we could maintain civility between us.” After that statement, which was almost ponderous enough to have come from Carlisle himself, she nodded to him and started toward the door.

“Wait,” he said quickly, stretching a hand toward her, then letting it fall. “I wanted to speak to you for a couple of other reasons. I’m not sure how to, um...broach it, but while I believe you had no protector, there must have been men that made unwanted advances. I think they might be a good place to start in the search for who has been after you.”

The silence was icy and Carlisle had to restrain himself from fidgeting.

“I don’t believe that any of this is about me.” Noelle’s tone was crisp, but not hostile, and he relaxed a bit. “However, I want to assist in finding Gil’s attackers in any way I can. There are a few men I have rejected. I will write down their names for you. The sooner you find that they are not after me, the sooner you will begin searching more fruitful avenues of inquiry. What was the second thing you wanted to ask?”