Page 35 of An Icy Christmas Engagement
“Don’t be like that, Cedric,” Simon said. “Such remarks should not be made where others can hear.”
“Why not? Do you not want to be reminded of what you did?”
What he did? What did he do?
Lord Sotheby was still talking to her. Caroline knew that. She knew she should listen to him, especially since he was bound to ask her a question sooner or later.
But her attention was focused solely on the tense interaction happening a few feet away from her.
“We should let bygones be bygones, Cedric. It has already been six years.”
“You know I have never been much for forgiveness.”
“Cedric.” Isabella’s voice was so low that Caroline almost couldn’t hear her. There was something about her tone that grated Caroline’s nerves. “Let us be civil. Please?”
Lord Colenhrust turned his attention to her. It was a wonder she didn’t turn to ice on the spot.
“What would be civil is avoiding me when you see me in public,” he stated in a cold tone. “Show me the same courtesy as I show you.”
“It is hardly a courtesy when you give us death glares whenever we are within your line of vision,” Simon pointed out in such an easygoing tone that Caroline immediately feared for his safety.
“That is because you insist on showing yourself before me.”
“I hardly think it fair to watch out for you everywhere I go. Should I have walked right out of here the moment I saw you within?”
“You’re finally beginning to understand.”
Finally, Simon let that smile drop. Caroline didn’t know why he had been keeping up with it in the first place, since it was so obviously fake. At least, to her.
“You do not scare me, Cedric,” he said slowly.
Lord Colenhurst pulled himself to his full height, the dark aura emanating from him sending a chill down Caroline’s spine. “Then you’re more foolish than I first thought.”
“All right, all right.” The gentleman Lord Colenhurst came with stepped in between them. “Any more of this and you two will come to blows. And while I do think it is well overdue, this is neither the time nor the place.”
For a few seconds, Caroline thought that both men were going to ignore him. But then Simon took a step back, brushing a hand down his waistcoat.
“I shall take my leave then,” he announced. “But do not think that it was done for any reason other than to keep the peace.”
Thankfully, Lord Colenhurst said nothing. Before they could leave, Caroline whispered to Lord Sotheby, “Do you know those two?”
Lord Sotheby might have been saying something but he did not seem upset at the fact that she’d clearly been ignoring him. He looked over his shoulder at Simon and Isabella, who were just going out the door. Caroline noticed the way Isabella’s eyes lingered on Lord Colenhurst a moment longer than necessary.
“Lord and Lady Ashworth,” Lord Sotheby supplied. “I am surprised to see that they are still in London.”
“Do you know them well?” Caroline probed. She tried not to look at Lord Colenhurst, who had taken a seat by the window a few paces away. He was facing her, but his scowl was directed at the table.
“Not well,” Lord Sotheby admitted.
“Oh. I see.” Caroline tried to mask her disappointment, but didn’t think she succeeded.
Lord Sotheby must have sensed it. Or perhaps he was simply tired of doing all the talking while she did very little listening because he said, “Perhaps it is time for me to return you home.”
She was all too happy to agree. Something about being in the same small tea shop with Lord Colenhurst, while he acted as if she did not exist, did not sit well with her. She agreed and stood, leaving her barely touched lemon ice. Lord Sotheby assisted her with her coat and placed a hand on her back as he guided her out the shop.
Caroline kept her eyes on the door. She didn’t dare look the earl’s way, no matter how much she wanted. No matter how much it felt as if his gaze was boring into her. She kept her head straight and her breath stale in her lungs, not releasing it until she was safely in the carriage.
Chapter Eleven
