Page 38 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
Chapter 9
Panic tore through her.Dear God, how much had he heard of what she realized now was a very loud conversation?
She caught her breath.“My lord.”
“Lady Jane,” he said, all affability.His face was…softer, kinder.
He’d heard.
Her face heated.Her fingers curled into fists.
She’d kept her secret for over two decades, and now the nosiest, most irritating, most interfering man in all of England, a man who’d almost seduced her, knew the truth.Oh, he wouldn’t share it, that she knew, but he’d find a way to use it against her all the same.
Damn and blast it all.She’d sell his damned painting and not think twice about it.
She slid past him.A hand wrapped her arm, the touch firm.
“You are most welcome back at Shaldon House.”
She gritted her teeth.“Thank you, Shaldon.”
“Where are you staying?”
“With friends.”
“I fear your failure to return to us was due to my conduct.”
Heat pounded through her again.“I always hasten to remember what they say about visitors and fish kept for too long.”She shook her arm free and escaped down the stairs.
A tall red-haired boy lingered outside near the street.Could her afternoon get any worse?
When he fell in behind her, she rounded on him.
“Go away, Ewan,” she said.
“I’m sorry, my lady, I can’t.”
She stepped out into the street and he pulled her back, in time to save her from a speeding phaeton.
Pulse pounding, she drew in a breath.She didn’t want to die this day, not really.
“Thank you, Ewan.You may escort me as far as Burlington Arcade.My carriage is waiting there.”
He offered his arm, and still quaking inside, she took it.It was a solid arm for one so young, and she wondered if Ewan treated his own mother this kindly.She suspected he did.He was likely respectful, and considerate and kind, and very likely he loved his mother.
Quentin Penderbrook despised his, and what could she expect?
Perhaps she should have stayed in Ireland and let him dig his way out of his own gambling debts.He was a grown man and didn’t need a phantom mother coddling him.
But, oh, the hurt she’d seen on his face—she’dcaused that.
Tears welled and tipped over her lashes and she battled them back.
They found the Hackwell carriage and Ewan helped her in.
“Don’t follow me,” she said.
The boy gave her a direct look, his hazel eyes clear above all his freckles.“My lady, I lost you once.If I lose you again, Lord Shaldon will sack me.”
