Page 28 of The Seductive Love of a Lady
Tears burned in Mary’s eyes. ‘You can be cruel.’
‘Me cruel? You insisted I introduce you to my parents, and you accepted Peter’s escort.’
‘And they are sins?’
‘It does not matter. Just let me go. I do not wish to argue with you.’
‘Andrew…’ It felt as though he was leaving her.
He stared at her, his hat and gloves in his hands and his coat over his arm.
Mary’s hands dropped to her sides, and she nodded. There was no point in arguing, he was unreachable in this mood.
13
When Drew returned from his ride, a large carriage was standing outside The Albany. Pembroke’s coat of arms was emblazoned on the side, and its brass trim shone in the sunshine. It had been there a while because two grooms in the Pembroke livery held the heads of four glossy black horses.
What did Pembroke want? Drew’s patience was paper-thin. One wrong word would be all it took and he would slam Pembroke up against a wall.
Drew entered the apartment without knocking; these werehisrooms. But Pembroke was not there. Mary, her mother and an aunt, the Duchess of Wiltshire, looked at him.
They had sent the women to do battle again.
It was extremely early to be calling. They must be trying to find out how well he kept her.
He looked at the table. A second used plate stood beside the remains of their breakfast. At least Mary had eaten. He may be angry with her and wish to hold her at arm’s length, but he still cared and she would make herself ill if she did not eat.
He lifted his hat and bowed to the women.
Lady Marlow stood. ‘Good morning, Lord Framlington. I am glad you returned, we thought we might miss you. We came to invite Mary to accompany us to the Duchess of Bradford’s garden party this afternoon.’
Her aunt stood too. ‘I am on my way to Margaret’s and thought it would be nice to call in rather than send a message.’
What nonsense!Mary’s cousin lived streets away and Drew’s apartment was not en route. They had come to spy.
Drew looked at Mary, wondering what she had told them.That I am an ignorant monster, probably; incapable of loving her and unable to be loved.
But he was not cowed. Mary may not have extravagance and excess here, but she had everything she needed – if she chose to ask for it, that was. Joseph told him this morning that Mary had eaten neither luncheon nor dinner the day before. That was when he had decided to take control of everything. The decision also eased his conscience. Employing servants to care for her meant he could withdraw without fear or guilt.
‘Does my home live up to your expectations, Lady Marlow?’ he asked.
‘It is not my expectations that matter, is it?’ Her answer was shrewish.
‘No, it is Mary’s, and she has everything she needs,’ he said.Except a man she can love.
‘Except a husband who can apply restraint, Lord Framlington.’
‘Mama.’ Mary stood, but not in defence of her mother. She walked across the room and stood beside him. As though he might care what her mother thought. But it made it obvious that Mary had not told them the man she married was a hell-born bastard.
‘Your mother is right,’ her aunt said. ‘Your behaviour last night, Lord Framlington, was unforgivable.’
Mary’s chin lifted.
Drew sighed. He did not want her to argue with her family on his behalf. The time for that had passed. She needed her family, not him. ‘You’re quite right, Your Grace, Lady Marlow. I am sorry I spoiled the evening, but it is water under the bridge today, and as you can see, I do not feed Mary gruel or lock her up, so you may report back that all is well here.’
Both women stared at him, their pale-blue eyes the spit of Mary’s. With the same ability to freeze a man with an icy cool glare.
‘You are not amusing,’ her mother stated.
