Page 109 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
Stirring her tea, Nell seemed to avoid Macie’s gaze. “For a while, yes.”
“And precisely what might that reason be?”
“I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just tell you outright.” Nell swished the slender spoon about in the cup. “Finn is leaving before the week is out.”
Macie let out a low breath. “Phineas Caldwell’s actions do not factor into my decisions.”
“I think you’re making a mistake.”
Macie blinked again. “I am making a mistake?”
“Finn is not the cad you think he is. Good heavens, I saw how he looked at you.” Once again, she nervously stirred her tea. “Amelia wanted to pay you a visit, but her physician has advised her to rest. So, she asked me to tell you what she thought you should know.”
Macie took a sip of tea, mentally bracing herself to speak the truth. “I don’t believe Finn is a cad. If he were, he might have found himself with an heiress for a bride. Such an undertaking might have proven even more lucrative than his precious contracts.”
“I do understand,” Nell said. “But it doesn’t change the truth.”
“The truth?” Macie sighed. “And what might that be.”
“The man is in love with you.”
Macie’s heart raced. A cascade of emotions stormed her defenses. “He... he said this?”
“Not in so many words.” Nell set her cup aside and walked over to the potted lavender. “He’s a stubborn man. Perhaps even more stubborn than you.”
“Then why does Amelia believe he loves me?”
“Oh, dear, where do I begin?” Nell seemed to brighten up. “Since the two of you have been apart, he’s been an utter wreck. After a time, the barkeep had to cut him off, and since then, he hasn’t touched a drop. But he’s thrown himself into work. He keeps to himself when he’s not at the solicitors’ office dealing withblasted contract negotiations, as Logan puts it. When he comes into the café, he orders supper, but leaves much of it on the plate.”
“None of that means he loves me.”
Nell met her gaze. “Logan and Amelia are convinced Finn is in love with you. But, in Logan’s words—thebloody foolhasn’t faced that fact yet.”
“Oh, I don’t know what to believe.” Macie gulped against the sudden burning lump in the back of her throat. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I suppose what comes next depends on you.” Nell’s tone was gentle. “The two of you deserve to give this a chance. And that, my dear friend, might well take some time.”
“Oh, Nell, I simply don’t know.” Macie’s voice sounded raw to her own ears.
“As I see it, it’s not complicated. Not truly. It all comes down to one very important question.” A faint smile played on her friend’s mouth. “Do you love him?”
*
Macie stared atthe empty trunk sitting in a corner of her bedchamber. She’d had her brother bring it down from the attic in preparation for her journey, but she had not been inclined to pack so much as a crinoline. Tears welled in her throat, but she choked them back. Blast it, she would not give in. She would not weep over Finn Caldwell. He’d gotten what he wanted. The contracts with Mason Enterprises had been what he’d needed all along.
Stretching out on the bed, she closed her eyes and pictured his face. In the moments before she’d asked him to leave her, she’d seen no sense of triumph in his eyes. To the contrary, a deep sadness had blended with indignation. My, she’d accused him of being a true cad, hadn’t she? She’ll called his motives into question. He’d been wounded by her words, but he had not lashed out. He had not retaliated. Rather, he’d given her what she asked for. He’d left her standing there, watching as each step took him farther from her.
Do you love him?Nell’s question tormented her. In her heart, she knew the answer. Just as she had when he’d walked away.
She loved him.
She loved Phineas Caldwell.
This was not a passing fancy. Not an infatuation. No, this was far deeper. Far more profound. The man exasperated her. Drove her to distraction. Challenged her to break down the barriers she’d erected around herself.
And God, how she loved him.
Opening her eyes, she stared up at the ceiling. Could they make a go of it? Heaven knew it wouldn’t always be easy. But somehow, he’d always seen through the ice she used as a shield.
