Page 36 of Married to the Rake

Chapter Thirteen

Steely grey clouds spread across the sky, an unwelcome blanket that hung heavy over the horizon. Chloe grimaced. This did not bode well for their plan. If it rained, her father might not wish to disembark from the carriage and might even return home. She glanced at her mother and father opposite her in the carriage, and her stomach bunched. All this plotting against her parents was making her uneasy even if she knew it was for the right reasons.

Because it was for the right reasons, was it not? It had nothing to do with wishing to see Brook and wondering if she might just get another kiss from him.

Or perhaps she really was that selfish and the reason she was continuing on with this was to see him again. No matter how foolish that made her. As much as she’d like to believe him, there was no way Mr. Brook Waverley had proper feelings for her. Even if he had some kind of stirrings, they would pass soon enough. There were many people who enjoyed her company and her knowledge born of books, but she was not silly enough to believe that her companionship would keep a man like him forever entertained.

She blew out a breath and twined her fingers together, focusing her attention on the lace trim around her gloves. The kiss—and the talk of his feelings—was done. She needed to move on and focus on what they were doing here.

Beside her, Freddie fidgeted, huffing because he felt Chloe took up all the space on the seat. She hoped things went well, for her brother’s sake as much as her. Freddie could do without witnessing an argument between the two men.

She stole another glance at her father. He looked tired today, with dark circles around his eyes. When she had suggested they might all travel into town together and partake in tea, her father had seemed keen on the idea.

If he was curious as to her sudden need for his company, she did not know, but since their failed walk, he had been keen to make it up to her. If anything, that made her feel worse about the deception. However, this needed to be done. He was likely tired because he had been up early and angry over the border. Yet again, the fence was back over their side and her father had been barking orders for it to be moved immediately. It was no wonder he was not doing well with this matter causing him so much stress.

Tightness gathered in her throat when they reached the fountain in the middle of the town. The fountain was where she had suggested she and Brook meet. The carriages could circle around, drop off their passengers and return to collect them later. It was the ideal place for them to all meet oh so accidentally.

Her heartbeat increased when she recognized the Waverleys’ carriage departing the circular road around the fountain. Brook spotted her looking out of the carriage window and gave her the briefest nod before turning his attention back to his father. This was it then. They were finally going to get their fathers if not in the same room, then in the same town. She only hoped the public setting would prevent them from doing anything too drastic to one another.

The carriage came to a halt, rocking on its suspension. Chloe offered her father a shaky smile as he handed her down. All this deception was beginning to drive her mad. That would at least explain why she was letting herself get involved with a man like Brook. It might even account for why she had been so keen to kiss him.

Yes, she rather liked the sound of that. It was just madness that was doing this to her. As soon as they repaired their fathers’ relationships, the better, and then she could put an end to this madness.

She waited for her father to spot George Waverley. She dare not look directly at them but she could see Brook conversing with his father and no doubt trying to delay his departure from the area. Chloe’s mother fussed with her skirts and her hat, buying them time for both men to see one another, even though her mother had little idea she was doing such a thing. If her mama knew what was going on, Chloe would be in for a reprimand indeed. As tired as they both were of the arguments, her mother would inevitably take her father’s side and wanted a peaceful life, which usually meant indulging her husband’s argument with the Waverleys.

“What the bloody hell is he doing here?”

Chloe snapped her head around, her stomach curdling with dread. Her father’s attention was fixed on George Waverley and she could see the fury building in his gaze. He balled his fists at his side and redness tinged his cheeks. Chloe pressed a hand to her chest. Oh Lord, what a mistake this had been. How naive they were to imagine that either of their fathers might be able to have a civilized conversation simply because they were on display. After all, everyone knew of the argument between the two families. It was public knowledge and therefore they had nothing to hide.

Brook’s father finally glanced their way and Chloe held her breath. She saw the same anger quickly take over his expression and she shared a look with Brook. He perhaps had not quite come to the realization that she had—that this was all a massive mistake—but she saw the apprehension in his expression. Mr. Waverley marched over to them, his gait slightly lopsided, revealing the toll his recent heart attack had taken. Her own father was no quicker but both men still closed the gap between them with enough speed that Chloe and Brook had to hurry to catch up with them.

“You moved the damn fence again,” her father said, thrusting a finger Mr. Waverley’s way.

“Of course I did. I was taking back my land. As I am well within my rights to do,” Mr. Waverley bellowed.

“It is not your damned land, when will you get that through your thick skull, George?”

“Just about the same time when you stop being a callous bastard,” Mr. Waverley spat.

Her father snorted. “Callous bastard? You’re a fine one to talk.”

“I’m not the one responsible for the death of an innocent woman.” George Waverley took a step closer.

Chloe sent a desperate look Brook’s way. Somehow, they needed to get their fathers to calm down but she could not fathom how. Brook stepped in between the two men, his hands held, palm out, to halt both of them. “I do not think we need to fight, gentleman. This is not the time nor the place.”

“Fight?” Mr. Waverley said. “I’ll fight him anytime. Anytime, anywhere.”

“Gladly!” Her father straightened his shoulders. “I’ll fight you right here, Waverley. And I’ll take great pleasure in seeing you beaten.”

Brook shook his head. “No one needs to be beaten here today. Especially not in front of your wife and children, Mr. Larkin.” Brook sent a pointed look Chloe and her mother’s way.

Her mother clung to her arm. “If they fight, both men will end up dead. Neither of them have the strength.”

“Father is strong enough to best him,” Freddie muttered.

Chloe nodded. She and Brook had underestimated their fathers’ desire for blood. She might have expected some cross words but she certainly did not expect them to leap to the idea of fighting immediately.

“Don’t you tell me what to do in front of my children,” snapped her father. Turning his attention on to Brook.

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