Page 74 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
Finlay walked without seeing.
How could he have misjudged Charlotte so terribly? How had he not seen her for the grasping, opportunistic schemer he now knew her to be? It wasn’t as if she pursued him or threw herself in front of him to capture his notice. If he was honest, he’d courted her. Even when she attempted to keep him at a distance and built barriers around herself, he merrily ripped them down. Not once had he considered how vulnerable his pursuit of her had made him.
Leaving his mother’s locket behind was all Charlotte had needed to turn against him.
This was why he kept his relationships…or more accuratelyliaisons…with women superficial. Because when it was purely about sex, no one was hurt. They fucked, occasionally Finlay gifted a bauble, and they parted on friendly terms.
The searing agony of deceit was not part of the equation.
Why had he allowed himself to grow close to her?
He’d finally relaxed and shared his true self with a woman, and it was so easy to do with Charlotte. She was thoughtful and kind. Observant. Logical. She had made him feel that his title and connections were of zero import to her. He’d pondered a future with her, despite the obstacles they faced, and had sought counsel on how to overcome the hurdles that stood before them.
And yet, at the first opportunity, she’d exploited him.
Finlay stumbled to a stop, rubbing his chest. Lud, the ache was enough to make him grit his teeth. That he’d made himself susceptible to feel such a misery made him want to kick something. Or break something.
“Firthwell!”
Blinking rapidly, Finlay spun until he spotted Lady Flora approaching. Looking about him, he realized he’d stopped just down the lane from Little Windmill House.
The woman smiled as she came upon him. “How are you today, my lord?”
He battled to remember his manners, offering a belated bow. “I’m well, my lady. Are you on your way to the home?”
“I am. Today the young mites will be learning how to hold their seat when their mount is spooked.” She gestured with her thumb to the large man who stood behind her. “Duncan has been practicing his roar.”
“I have not, Flo,” the man groaned.
Lady Flora chuckled, her famous dimples flashing. “Don’t mind him. He’s just missish about his scaring assignment.”
“More like terrorizing assignment,” Duncan grumbled.
Despite his sluggish thoughts, Finlay couldn’t help but ask, “Do all your servants speak to you such?”
Lady Flora frowned. “Duncan isn’t my servant. He’s my cousin. He doesn’t have the brains or work ethic to be a proper servant,” she added with a smirk.
“And yet, your need for me is greater than my need for you.” Duncan spread his hands.
Finlay watched as the woman narrowed her eyes at the man. Obviously the two were tangled in their own secrets. At any other time his interest would have been piqued…but now was not that time.
“Are you also heading to the home?” Lady Flora asked.
“I am not.” He pulled out his timepiece to avoid meeting her eyes.
“Oh.”
That softly spoken utterance raised his head. Lady Flora considered him with her brow creased. She turned to leave but stopped. “Alethea invited me to dine at Darington Terrace on Saturday night. Will you be there?”
“Possibly,” he said, looking down the street in the direction of Rockhaven House. The urge to lock himself away with a glass—make that a bottle—of fine whisky was the only thing he desired.
“I should hope so, but if not, I’ll see you tomorrow at the musicale, at least.” From the corner of his eye, Finlay saw her pause. “Firthwell,is Mrs. Taylor well? Should I be concerned?”
How she knew to ask him such a question made him angry. Obviously, he’d not been circumspect with his actions and feelings toward the treacherous woman. Turning to meet her gaze, he raised a shoulder. It ached from holding himself so stiffly. “I’d say she’s how she’s always been. I’ve only just now realized it.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Friday morning dawned bright and clear. The fog that clung to the Thames had long since been burned away by the rising sun, and not a cloud remained to mar the expanse of the smoky blue sky.
