Page 42 of Lady Fiona's Tall, Dark Folly
Damn it, he loved her. Was he wise or foolish to do so?
She fumed. "Oh! I can count cards, calculate who has what and estimate my odds without donning my ugly spectacles!"
"Oh, Fifi." He ran a hand through his hair and cursed. He couldn't blame her for wanting to be like others and not have to wear spectacles. "Sweetheart. I am so sorry."
She sniffed. "I am, too, you terrible man."
He reached to take her in his arms.
"Charlton," she whispered. "I love you. I have always from that first night."
"We are simply meant to be," he crooned. "Forgive me. I feared you did not care for me and I have cared for you for so very long. Maybe it was not logical, but I dreamed of you, needed you in the darkest hours." He kissed her lips. Then he lifted her chin. "Fee, I love you beyond reason."
"Oh, Charlton." She hugged him close. "Rory, my darling. I'm so sorry. Say that again, would you?"
"You are deaf as well as blind?" he asked on a laugh.
She chuckled. "I have many short-comings."
"Not to me. Never to me." He squeezed her close. "I love you, Fee. I do. I had to learn if you could really care for me."
She searched his eyes. "Why would you think I hadn't?"
"I spoke with Millicent Weaver earlier today. She told me that Lady Mary helped her fool a friend of mine into thinking she did not care for him."
"Your friend. The one you speak of? Is it James Carlisle?"
"Yes. An excellent soldier. Once captain of the 69th Foot.”
* * *
She sucked in a breath."That incident with Millicent Weaver. I remember it. Mary regrets it."
"She should. Does she do that often?"
"No, no." She clasped her hands.
"What's the matter?" he asked her.
"I just worry."
"About what?"
"That she's pretending to care for Lord Bridges."
He stiffened. "Why would she do that?"
"Because she used to make matches and—"
"What? Why?"
A rustle came from one corner of the room.
They both turned to see the tall, stern form of Lord Bridges emerge from a cluster of palms.
"Pardon me," he said to them, his expression taut with shock. Then he strode from the room.
Mary emerged from the palms, pausing a second to face him and Fifi. Without a word to excuse herself, she followed Bridges.
