Page 20 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
“How utterly… !” Lady Calverton’s expression scrunched into one of anger. “That is ridiculous. That poor girl! How injured she must be knowing that is the gentleman’s intention! Whyever would the Duke of Danfield permit that gentleman back into her sphere?”
“I do not know.”
“Ah.” Lady Calverton closed her eyes, shaking her head. “Of course.”
James’ eyebrows lifted as he waited for his mother to explain.
“He will think – as will his wife – that no other gentleman would consider her given her injury. And thus, if the Marquess has shown an interest in the lady again, then they will consider it best that their connection is reformed. That way, Lady Temperance would be married and settled and would not be a spinster which, of course, the Duke – or mayhap, the Duchess – might consider something of an embarrassment.”
“Lady Temperance’s happiness does not seem to matter one whit,” James muttered, finding his anger returning. “Mother, I spoke to Lady Temperance about this situation earlier today. We happened upon each other and it was decided that not only the two of us but also Lord and Lady Thurston would all arrive at Lady Hartford’s residence at the very same time as Lord Barlington comes to call. Lady Hartford will be made aware of this plan, I am sure, but the Duke and Duchess – and Lord Barlington himself, of course – will not be. You understand our intention, I am sure!”
“To disrupt Lord Barlington’s visit with Lady Temperance, thereby bringing her relief,” his mother said, with a firm nod. “OfcourseI understand. I am glad to help.”
“Good. I thank you.”
“You are aware that your consideration of Lady Temperance is growing, are you not?”
The quiet question made James frown. “It is not something that should be a surprise, I should think. Every gentleman, every lady with a kind heart would see her in the very same way as I.”
“Though mayhap without the edge of affection?”
James blinked and then let his brows drop low. “Mother, please. While I am aware that I must marry and preserve the familyline, you cannot think that I would then pursue Lady Temperance, someone who has been left broken-hearted and deeply pained by the behaviour of another gentleman? It is clear to me that the young lady requires friendship and support rather than the pursuit of affection.”
His mother only smiled and James, a little frustrated that she had been able to see something within his actions which he himself had been unable to hide from her – and evidently, from himself as well – let out a heavy sigh.
“Please, do not make such connections in your thoughts, Mother,” he said, firmly. “My only desire is to aid Lady Temperance in any way I can, to make her life a little happier than it is at present.”
“And what if your heart begins to hold a little more affection for her than you had expected?” she asked, quietly. “Surely there can be nothing wrong in pursuing a young lady such as she?”
James shook his head. “It is clear from what she said this afternoon that she is more than contented as she is. I believe she stated, quite clearly, that she is happy to be a spinster, to live with her aunt and her uncle and – ”
“That is because she believes that no gentleman would ever look at her and consider her as a lady ought to be considered,” Lady Calverton interrupted, sharply. “Do you not see that, Calverton?”
James tilted his head. “Mayhap,” he remarked, softly. “But for the moment, my only desire is to aid her. That is all that I want.”
“Very good.” His mother smiled. “Then have no doubt, I will be alongside you in every respect. Lady Temperance will be saved from Lord Barlington… and Lord Barlington will not know what to do with himself by the time I am finished with him!”
Chuckling softly, James lifted a glass in his mother’s direction. “I look forward to seeing it, Mother,” he replied, seeing her grin. “Until tomorrow, then.”
Chapter Thirteen
It was difficult indeed to stop herself trembling but Temperance forced herself to sit still and, clasping her hands tight together, kept her chin lifted as Lord Barlington was introduced.
She kept her gaze steady, silently demanding that she look at him though she did not rise to her feet to greet him.
Her mother’s angry glare caught her attention but Temperance did not move. Much to her relief, her aunt barely got to her feet before she sat back down again, taking her place beside Temperance in obvious solidarity.
“How very good of you to permit me into this house.” Lord Barlington bowed low in Lady Hartford’s direction, his hand reaching out to her as though to beseech her all the more, though Lady Hartford remained where she was and did not move an inch. “And you, Lady Temperance, how grateful I am to you for your willingness to see me.”
Temperance lifted her eyes to his, taking in Lord Barlington’s handsome face. It was unmarred, his brown hair flopping over dark brown eyes… and yet her heart remained unmoved. Her chest grew tight, her hands clasping hard as she swallowed at the knot in her throat. Lord Barlington’s eyes went to her cheek, his gaze tracing the scar which ran down one side of her face.
Temperance’s face grew hot but she did not move. Her scar was something he had seen before and she fully expected him to turn away from it in the same way he had done before.
She was not disappointed. His eyes pulled quickly from her face and he cleared his throat.
Rather than squirm, Temperance forced herself to speak, her words brittle but honest. “I did not desire to see you, Lord Barlington,” she answered, her voice hoarse and broken. “This meeting is not at all my desire. Do not think that I had any say in the matter.”
“Temperance!” The Duchess got to her feet at once, her eyes filled with fire, her hands flung wide. “How can you say such a thing?”
