Page 30 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
“You are very good to keep Lord Barlington talking so that my dear niece does not have to be near him,” Lady Hartford murmured, as they walked across the sand. “I think she was already struggling with his presence when you joined us andhearing him speak about this ball… well, if you had not asked her if she would accompany you, then I do not know what we would have done!”
“That is quite all right.” James offered Lady Hartford a small smile, then shook his head. “Lord Barlington’s intentions are something I do not understand. Why he must pursue Lady Temperance when she is the one who has been so severely injured by him, I cannot tell.”
“Nor can I,” Lady Hartford sighed. “But one way or another, I am certain that Lord Barlington will make himself clear… and to the detriment of Lady Temperance.”
James scowled. “I will do my level best to do whatever I can to help that,” he said, earning himself another grateful smile from the lady. “And if there is to be a ball, then I certainly shall take Lady Temperance along with me and protect her from him in any way I can.” He looked to Lady Hartford, taking in her small smile. “I will promise you that.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Temperance?”
Turning, Temperance looked at the door, expecting to see her aunt standing in the doorway. Instead, she saw her mother as she came further into the room. Temperance swallowed hard, her joy evaporating. She had spent a very pleasant few hours painting and, much to her own surprise, had found herself painting something rather different from her usual efforts. Instead of painting a seascape, instead of looking at the waves and the swirling clouds above it, she had begun to paint a gentleman and a lady, walking arm in arm along the shore. She had been reminded of the happiness which had filled her heart when she had seen Lord Calverton and her aunt walking arm in arm towards her on the beach. They had been smiling and laughing at each other as though they had been friends for a very long time – and after that, her happiness had increased as she had watched Lord Barlington take his leave.
She had a great and a tremendous fear that her mother was about to speak of Lord Barlington all over again.
“You are doing a great deal of painting, Temperance.” Her mother clicked her tongue and shook her head. “I think it is a littletoomuch, frankly.”
“I enjoy painting, Mama,” she replied, not letting her mother’s words cut at her heart too much. “It brings me a great deal of joy.”
“Then you must find other things that bring you joy,” came the reply, as though this was something that Temperance was doing wrong. “In speaking of that, Temperance, I think it is high time that you listened to all that Lord Barlington wishes to say to you.”
Temperance immediately shook her head. “No. I have no desire to speak to him about anything at all.”
“Be that as it may, your father and I have discussed this and we have both decided that it would be right for you to do so. Whether you would be glad to hear him or not, it is only polite for you to hear what he has to say. After all, Temperance, he has given up a great deal for you!”
“Given up a great deal?” Temperance repeated, her voice rising a little with anger. “What is it that he has ‘given up’ for me?”
Her mother planted her hands at her hips. “Temperance, you are being unreasonable! He has given up the London Season in order to be here near you! He has set aside all that he could gain from that and has, instead, come to seek you out.”
“And I do not want to see him,” Temperance stated, firmly, flinging up one hand towards her face. “Do you not see this? Do you not recall how he treated me thereafter?”
“I do not think that you can judge him harshly at all!” her mother exclaimed. “He came and spoke to you, did he not? He eagerly requested a conversation with you and it isyouwho has refused him.”
Temperance shook her head and said nothing more, turning back to her painting though she did not truly see it. Her vision blurred as she blinked back hot tears, wishing that her mother could show her even the smallest semblance of understanding.
“Now, he will be here in a few minutes and I expect you to listen to everything that he has to say.”
Twisting around, Temperance stared at her mother, though the Duchess lifted her chin and gazed back at her without a word, almost daring her to challenge what she had said.
“I… I cannot, I – ”
“You will tolerate him for a few minutes, Temperance.” The Duchess sniffed and then turned on her heel. “And do not think that you can take your leave. I will be standing directly outside, waiting for him to arrive. Thereafter, I will stand at the open door and allow him to speak freely. Do you understand?”
Temperance swallowed at the tightness in her throat, trying desperately to find something to say, her heart pounding furiously but from the look in her mother’s eyes, she realized it wouldn’t make any difference. Her mother had determined what she was to do and that was all there was to it. The Duchess stepped out of the room, the door closed and Temperance stared at it for some moments, her whole body suddenly growing cold.
What can I do?
Hurriedly, she grasped some paper and, after a few moments, composed two short notes. Ringing the bell, Temperance paced back and forth, waiting for the maid.
“Temperance?” Her mother lifted an eyebrow as the maid came in behind her. “What is the meaning of this? You are not going to use the maid to escape!”
“I was only going to request a tea tray, Mama, and a bowl to wash my hands before Lord Barlington arrives,” Temperance answered, her voice trembling furiously as she beckoned the maid closer. “And there are some things here which need to be removed.”
Her mother lifted an eyebrow but said nothing, giving only a brief nod and then making her way back to the door.
“Have this sent to Lord Calverton at once,” Temperance murmured, handing the first note to the maid. “And this to Lady Thurston. At once, you understand?”
The maid nodded. “What else am I to do here, my lady?”
