Page 39 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
He nodded, did as he was told and then sat in the chair indicated.
His Grace stared at Andrew for what seemed like an eternity and then said, “Explain yourself.”
Oh, this was unexpected. He’d have almost preferred a great sermon, a yelling fit, bold accusations. All torture he deserved. But to have to say words that cut him like a knife, that was exquisite pain indeed.
“I didn’t plan for any of this to happen.”
The duke’s eyes sharpened, but he said nothing.
“Last night, after Almack’s, a woman and her mother were waiting for me in my front room.”
“Is she pregnant?” The duke’s overly calm face was unnerving.
Charity’s gasp entered his chest and tightened things further.
He knew he crumpled in front of them. He daren’t look at Charity. But he cleared his throat. “They are in such a state as to most desperately need my protection.”
“And their claim on you?”
He nodded, knowing they would think the worst, but knowing he had to be completely honest. “They have come seeking I act in honor.”
Charity’s hand went up to her mouth. “This is the man you are?”
“No, Charity.”
“You are not at liberty to use her first name.” The duke shook his head. “You have used her ill in setting expectations, acting dishonorably, not approaching me and yet monopolizing her time, setting expectations in the ton, limiting her options, and raising her hopes. If you have been so fortunate as to capture her heart, you have now broken it as well. If I believed in pistols, you might be facing mine tomorrow morning.” He opened his drawer, and Andrew shrunk back a moment.
“You will leave this house and never return.” He pulled out a paper.
“What is that?”
“This is the beginnings of my invitations to the top families in the ton with men who have come seeking an opportunity to win her hand. They will be in my home now, not you. They will be given opportunities to win her heart. Not you. They have behaved honorably as you should have done.” He pulled a bell rope.
When the servant stepped inside, Andrew stood.
“Please show this man out.”
He looked to Charity, but her eyes stared back in disbelief.
His tongue was bound. He could not say what he wished. He could not destroy the reputation of another to serve his purposes. And he knew he must do his duty by them. For they had no one else.
But to have Charity think ill of him was the cruelest fate of it all. And he knew he’d never forget the horror in her expression. He knew the new masked indifference would be his reception if they were to ever cross paths again.
His feet moved slowly. He could not make them leave the floor. At length his shuffling brought him to the front door, and he stepped outside into the brisk air.
Chapter 10
The horror, the complete desperation on Lord Lockhart’s face stayed with her. She’d never seen a person so tortured. The power of his kiss, the haunted sorrow in his face, were the only things preventing her from hating the man. All that day and the next and the next, Charity walked about as if in a dream. Callers filled Her Grace’s front drawing room, seeking Charity’s attention. Flowers covered surfaces. And Charity could feel nothing. The duchess stuck by her side for which Charity should be grateful, but now and then a sigh or cluck followed by silence from the older woman would all but drive Charity to distraction. Did she wish for an alliance with Lord Lockhart? Was she pitying Charity? What did the woman want? Charity never asked her though, because as maddening as it was to guess, she didn’t really want to know.
She didn’t want to know the sick news behind why Lord Lockhart was behaving as he was. She remembered the letter he’d received, the claim from childhood. Was he simply feeling misplaced responsibility for that woman? To her mother? But then why hadn’t he answered straight away about the woman not being pregnant? Why leave the Duke with that understanding? She would be tortured by the unknowns as much as she wished not to know them.
She and the duchess rode together to the new school. Lord Lockhart had secured a location for them. And Charity suspected he’d also been responsible for paying the lease. Their committee would meet now to clear the area and begin collecting books and other necessaries in order for their school to begin. Everything was coming together wonderfully. Charity wished she could find a bit of satisfaction in it, some emotion other than hopeful dread that she might see Lord Lockhart again.
Hopeful dread. Was that a valid emotion? To hope something as much as she dreaded it, certainly felt very real to her.
They arrived to a room full of their volunteers busy doing wonderful things.
And Charity wished she could feel the joy on their faces. After sweeping a bit and walking about aimlessly telling people they were doing a great work, Charity knew she needed something different. The hand she placed on the duchess’ arm was clinging and desperate. “Might we go to the park?”
