Page 63 of Married to the Lord

Chapter Twenty-Four

Miles scowled at the clear sky, almost annoyed that the day should be so nice. At least if it was raining, it would match his sullen mood. Henry rode beside him, muttering something about the weather but Miles wasn't paying attention. The truth was, he had not paid attention to much since the other day, when he'd sent Augusta away. He ground his teeth together, recalling her hurt, confused look. His heart gave a sharp jab at his ribs.

“So, I hear tell that you had a little word with Jenkins.”

The name caught Miles's attention and he turned to face his brother. “How did you hear about that?”

“It is not often a man pisses his breeches and runs away to goodness knows where.” Henry chuckled. “You really must have scared the man.”

“Let's just say I reminded him of exactly who I once was then threw in a few threats of suing for slander.”

“I heard he was behind those rumors.”

Miles said nothing and kept his expression blank. He wasn't aware Henry had been around enough to hear of the gossip about him and Augusta. They rode leisurely along the path that led down to the river that cut across much of Hampshire. Miles knew he should have declined the ride but his brother was beginning to get suspicious about his melancholy mood so he'd relented.

“I also heard he was suspected to be behind the fire at the Snows.”

“That much is true,” Miles confirmed.

“And the rumors?” his brother pressed.

Miles tightened his jaw and fixed his gaze on the bank of trees that followed the line of the stream. He couldn't lie to his brother but he'd be damned if he'd get in the way of Augusta and Henry.

“You know, I saw Augusta two days ago,” his brother continued.

Sighing, Miles looked to Henry. His brother was not going to make this ride as relaxing as Miles had hoped. “I did not know.”

“Yes, it was rather interesting.” Henry grinned. “She's changed quite a bit since I first proposed.”

“Indeed.”

“And, of course, she told me she could not marry me.”

Miles nearly choked on a breath. “She told you—”

“She could not marry me, yes. Seems she's in love with someone else.”

“I—” Miles eased his grip on the reins, aware his tension was putting his horse on edge. “And you are not upset?”

“Of course not. We both know I only proposed out of grief and the weight of expectation. Thankfully she was clever and brave enough to put a stop to it.”

“Good Lord...” Miles murmured.

“There was also the matter of, well, the fact that I am also in love with someone else.”

“Damn it, were you having an affair?”

Henry grimaced. “I did not intend to.”

Miles’s teeth began to hurt from all the grinding.

Henry held up a hand. “I met someone when I was in the Baltics. I brought her home with me—”

“Henry,” Miles growled.

“But I did not have relations with her!” his brother protested. “I simply wanted to ensure she had a better life. I have her set up in a comfortable house now.”

“Bloody hell, Henry, you do not do things easily, do you?”

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