Page 10 of In Compromise with the Earl
His hands clenched the paper hard enough that the sheets could rip, “No.”
Aphrodite felt a spark of anger, mainly because they both knew he was lying. “Then why can’t you look me in the eye and tell me?”
By degrees, his head lifted, and Aphrodite’s lungs tightened as she saw his expression. It seemed as if a wall of ice had fallen over his eyes, his face set in hard lines, his eyes a glacial blue. “No.”
It made no sense to poke, but she did anyway. “You’re lying.”
His eyes flashed. “And you know me so well to discern that is what I am doing?” His tone was dark and mocking, but it still evoked a visceral reaction from her.
“It still matters,” she said.
Shaking out the paper, he went back to reading, “Yes and no. Are you satisfied now?”
Aphrodite notched her chin up when everything told her to dip her head and turn away. “Half-truths are worse than lies. Youareangry with me, but for what?”
He let out an aggravated growl under his breath. “You’re like a hound with a bone, aren’t you?”
Sensing that she was cracking the ice, even a little, Aphrodite pressed, “Just tell me the truth.”
“This is not the time, nor the place,” he grated, then went back to his paper. His words gave her hope that later on he would tell her what had crumbled between them, so she paid attention elsewhere. Plucking out the book from her reticule, she began to read, but kept acute attention on Lord Tennesley.
She categorized how his lips would tick down at times, how his left brow would lift just so, and how long and elegant his fingers were. He had high cheekbones that spoke of a Nordic ancestry, a firm nose, and the longest eyelashes she had ever seen on a gentleman.
While taking care not to stare, she was mesmerized. It was rare for her to be instantly taken with a man, and while she had admired him once upon a time, this was different. Aphrodite was far from being a fanciful sort, yet there was no other way to describe the emotions in her heart.
Even while minding her business, she could feel a sense of hollowness coming from him. She knew—the whole of London knew—about his wife and though the gossip had died down a year ago, it was not gone. Like a horrid specter of the past, people resurrected it as a horror tale to warn their sons about loose women.
It had to have dug a pit inside Lord Tennesley—or Oswald. Should she call him Oswald? Whatever the salutation, his wife’s treacherous acts had to have hurt him immensely and she was sure that it had chipped away at his manhood.
Lady Pandora came into the room, her light-blue day dress a beacon that drew every eye to her. Two more lords came in from behind her and then, she lifted her head high with a smile.
“We are missing one, but I have received a letter explaining the absence.” Lady Pandora said, her eyes skimming over the group, her gaze flitting to Aphrodite and Oswald beside her and her face dimmed in objection. But she moved off and went on with her greeting.
“Without ado, thank you all for coming. My Manor has a few rules, Ladies and Gentlemen. No fraternization between any of you that is not authorized, including being in another’s chamber or alone without your chaperones.
“Second, I will be speaking to each of you individually at specific times in the day and those times will be scheduled around the other activities we have planned. Thirdly, there are no curfews here, you are free to visit the township or go wherever you please, but please alert a footman before you go so he can stand at the ready to let you in.
“Your companions, maids and valets are in the servant’s quarters of this Estate and are hearing the same rules from the butler that I am telling you. Lastly, I do not do this for amusement,” she said. “I know many of you are skeptical—”
A heavily sardonic snort came from Oswald and Aphrodite caught him rolling his eyes. “But I do only aim to help you. My methods are not foolproof, but they do work, so I only ask that you keep an open mind during it all. Your chambers are ready, Ladies, you will be in the East Wing, Gentlemen, you will be in the West Wing. Please, settle in and we’ll reconvene for dinner.”
She stepped aside, then added, “Lady Aphrodite, a moment please.”
Aphrodite scowled at the lost chance of speaking with Oswald and had to watch him leave with regret settling into her heart. Lady Pandora came and took the next chair. “You and Lord Tennesley—”
“Had a polite greeting and nothing more,” Aphrodite cut in. “For heaven’s sake, Lady Pandora, I have received the bright and unmistakable message. Stay clear of him.”
“I don’t think you have,” Lady Pandora said, her eyes flitting over Aphrodite’s face. “But nevertheless, I have had you stay behind because there is another man who I do think will be your best match.”
“The one who is not here.”
“Yes, His Grace, Duke Strathmore.” Lady Pandora said. “It will be in your best interest to hold fast to his attention as I cannot tell you the legions of women who would sacrifice an arm to be where you are.”
“Ah, my woebegone suitor from last season. Funny enough, I wonder if they are so many women vying for his attention, how is it that he had ended up here, with the rest of us rejects?” Aphrodite tapped her chin in mock-thought. “And moreover, is it in my best interest, or my father’s, I wonder.”
“Aphrodite, you have always been headstrong—”
“And reckless, a hoyden, a bluestocking, a silly little dreamer, a flirt, and a tease,” Aphrodite said. “I have heard them all but, and while I will allow that they are all true to certain extent, one thing I am not, and that is a fool. I know my father is pulling strings here, wanting me to dance and pirouette like a marionette, but I will be doing things my way. You may send this message to my father as well, or not. It’s up to you.”
