Page 86 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
“We’ll expect that announcement by morning, Lord Newhurst,” Lady Plum said.
“Consider it announced,” he bit out, then led Susannah away.
Chapter 28
Susannah followed without saying a word. Anger radiated off John like steam off boiling water. She’d forced his hand, brought shame to him and his name. If she had only controlled herself. If she’d not been so willing to throw all her inhibitions over the edge of the balcony, for she was certain someone would find them splattered on the ground below.
But, oh, how she’d wanted his kiss. Craved it even.
And what had her selfishness gotten her?
Even if he married her, he’d probably hate her forever for such a disgrace. One thing was certain. It had not taken Aunt Guthrie’s meddling to ruin her reputation. She’d done that all on her own.
And what of her family?
Would John save them from debtor’s prison when Uncle Guthrie had her father’s debts called in? Or would he be so upset to find out he’d trusted his own finances to an irresponsible steward that he’d refuse?
Miss Harris met them at the door, her mother and Mr. Kendall following close behind. “What happened?”
John said nothing as he took his coat from a footman.
Already dressed in her warm outerwear, Susannah found her voice. “Can we talk about it in the carriage?”
Miss Harris took in her disheveled state and her face relaxed into a look of concern. “Of course.”
The women’s things were fetched, as well as Mr. Kendall’s and only then did Miss Harris ask, “Where is Algenon?” Deep grooves formed in her forehead as she glanced back in the direction of the ballroom.
“He had something to attend to,” Mr. Kendall said, his hand coming up to cup Miss Harris’s elbow and turn her toward the door.
“But he is our escort. How will he get home?”
“He took my horse. Would you mind if I took his place?”
Miss Harris met Mr. Kendall’s gaze and some silent communication happened between them, for she nodded and allowed him to escort her out.
Susannah trailed after them, not wanting to cause John more trouble than she already had. When they reached the carriage, Mr. Kendall helped each lady in. Only after she was seated did she see John waiting not far away.
Mr. Kendall stepped away from the conveyance to speak with him in hushed tones. She could not hear their words, but the myriad of emotions that played across Mr. Kendall’s face left her in no doubt of his displeasure. Embarrassment washed over her once again.
“Care to share why they are gesticulating so wildly?” Miss Harris asked.
A tear slipped past Susannah’s defenses, then another. “I ruined him.” Her shoulders began to shake and large sobsracked her body. She tried to hold them in, but shame and remorse overpowered her.
A hand patted her knee. “We can fix this, Miss Wayland. Please take heart.”
Kindness from Miss Harris she could understand, but Lady Upton’s sweet words were completely unexpected. A new wave of tears struck. No one should be kind to her. She’d brought this upon herself.
The ‘we’ in Lady Upton’s words slowly squirmed its way into her heart. She’d always tried to lighten everyone else’s burdens by shouldering her own, but this was one thing she could not carry. Her hand found the older woman’s and she squeezed while the tears fell down her cheeks.
Miss Harris switched sides of the carriage and slipped an arm about her shoulders. “Mother’s right. We will find a way.”
The last of her resolve to stay strong on her own slipped away and she melted into Miss Harris’s side, wishing to disappear forever as grief racked her body.
Johnathan stared in the direction the carriage had gone long after it had pulled away from the Durhams’ townhouse. An image of Susannah's face, covered in tears as she sobbed, burned in his mind.
He’d stolen her choice. Not that Mr. Wallace had been a choice at all, but Susannah did not know that. When she’d reached for him, he thought she wanted his attentions. Now he wondered if his desire had painted the desperation in their kisses. Maybe he’d simply overcome her good senses in a fit of passion, and now she would suffer for it for the rest of her life.
Even worse, in the time he’d needed to speak, when he could have calmed her fears and confessed his undying love, he’d choked. His disobedient tongue had refused to share the feelings he held so close to his heart.Ifthere was a place for him in Susannah’s heart, he’d not claimed it. He’d left her in doubt of her own future.
