Page 5 of A Lady's Curves
Her jaw shifts from side to side before she stands. Never taking her attention from me, she walks to the door. “I don’tknow how I offended you, my lord. I think that this arrangement is in error. I am neither a thief nor a liar. I agreed to this at your request and with the understanding that you would behave as a gentleman. Had I known that you would be insulting, I would have remained in the Everton parlor, bored out of my mind.”
My upbringing forces me to my feet when she rises. It takes all my energy to stay near the fireplace. My short nails dig into my palms as punishment for my abhorrent behavior. I remain in place as she turns on her heels and leaves the study.
I’m still frozen a moment later when Louisa walks in. “Uncle, what is wrong with Miss Wittman?”
“Nothing. Why do you ask?” I return to my seat and pick up the law book, which I have no intention of reading.
“She ran up the stairs and ignored my greeting. I think she may have been crying. Did you say something to upset her? She hardly seems the type to fall to tears easily. After all, she withstood my mama.” She turns and looks toward the foyer and stairs. “Perhaps I should go check on her.”
My soul is straining with pain. I’m a terrible person. I hurt a lovely woman to quell my own feelings. In the end, none of that has changed and I’m no longer a gentleman. “Louisa, you can go practice your pianoforte. I shall check on Miss Wittman. It was my callousness that injured her.”
“Uncle, what did you do?” Generally demure, she looks ready to do me physical harm with her fist clenched at her hips. “We need Miss Wittman to get me a suitable and not horrible husband so I don’t have to go back and live with Mother after the season. Besides, she seems a very nice lady. Why would you hurt her feelings?”
“Because I’m a dolt.” I put the book aside, stride from the study, and up the stairs. I have no idea what I’m going to say.
Soon I’m standing outside Ann’s guest quarters and haveno idea how to make this right without giving away my ungentlemanly thoughts regarding her. I have made an impossible situation worse. I tap on her door. “Miss Wittman?”
There’s no reply.
“Ann?” I lean on the door frame. “Forgive me. I’m an unmitigated ass. I know you are a fine lady of unquestionable morals and ethics.”
The door swings open, nearly toppling me. Ann’s eyes are red, as are her nose and cheeks. “They why would you imply otherwise, my lord.” She narrows her gaze. “Or have we taken liberties and I’m to call you Oscar now?”
I like the sound of my name on her lips. I like it far too much. There is a solution. “Miss Wittman, I’m sorry. I must decline to explain my behavior downstairs. However, I do not wish for you to leave. Louisa needs you. I need you.” Closing my eyes so she’s not so beautiful and near helps me to gather my thoughts.
“I don’t think I can stay in the same house with you, my lord. You have created an environment where I no longer feel safe.” The last word is tight and holds back more emotions.
“I will leave. I can stay at my club or with my mother and you can stay here with Louisa. I will attend whatever balls you think will help her cause. If you require my attention on business issues, you may send a footman with a note and I will come.” I swallow down regret and desire and hope this arrangement is enough. “I’m not above begging you, Ann. I made a promise to my sister not to mention my obligations to my title. I need you here, but my presence is beside the point.” The irony is not lost on me. All these years, I wanted to be left alone. I wanted the Earl of Kendall to go unnoticed and now I’ve made myself extraneous.
With wide blue eyes, she backs up several steps. “This makes no sense.”
“I know it seems that way,” I say from the threshold. “I have ruined a great many things in my life. It has always been this way. Let me do this one thing right, at least for my niece.”
She stares out the window for a long moment. “I will agree to this, but I hope you will explain your behavior at some point. For now, it’s enough that you have apologized and will leave the house. I have one condition.”
Heart in my throat, I say, “Yes?”
Turning, she has her emotions under control and only her swollen eyes and red nose betray that she had been crying. “I will contact Lady Jane and see if Lady Honoria Chervil can join me here. She will act as a chaperon and thus protect my reputation.”
I can see where my erratic behavior has made her feel protection is required. “Of course, invite Lady Chervil to join you here and let Lady Everton know she can increase my invoice for service to accommodate a chaperon.”
She folds her hands together in front and nods. “Very well. I will stay. I will let you know when we are ready to begin accepting invitations.”
“Thank you.” I step back. “I’ll pack and be out of the house within the hour.”
She frowns. “Do you not have a valet, my lord?”
“I’ve never seen the point. I can take care of myself.” The truth is that I never took the time to hire one. The valet from my youth was elderly and died when I was sixteen. My father died a few years later. Living in Scotland focused on science; having a valet never seemed important.
Even when she rolls her eyes, Ann is beautiful. “I shall put a valet on my list of employees to hire.”
I force a serious look even though I want to smile. With a bow, I turn and go to my chamber to pack and leave the house.
Chapter Three
Ann
Lady Honoria Chervil sweeps into the study in a pink day dress and with a warm smile. “This is a fine house. Why is there no butler?”
