Page 61 of A Tempest of Desire
He’d been glad to learn that perhaps she was being more herself, that she wasn’t catering to Hollingsworth’s whims. However, he knew her well enough now to know that she never had. If she didn’t want to do what he asked of her, she wouldn’t.
Sipping his scotch, he contemplated his choices. Go to the main gaming area where he could flirt with spinsters, debutantes, and wives. And on the morrow he might see his name associated with someone, a hint of interest remarked on, but it would be all speculation and rumor. Just as had happened when he’d recently attended a ball.
Or he could go to the hidden-away portion of the establishment where he might cross paths with her.But if she wanted more from Langdon, would she have not said, would she have not sent word? She might not know where he resided, but his parents’ residence was no secret. She had to be aware that she could always get in touch with him there.
Did he ever cross her mind?
He couldn’t stop thinking about her. He’d been home only two days when he’d sent her a copy ofSense and Sensibilitywith a note,Happy Endings. Even if they were not destined to find one together, he did wish she would have her own. He didn’t identify who had sent it. She either knew or she didn’t. Four days later, he’d had delivered to her a barometer.For safer travels among clearer skies. Again, no identifier. However, with it, he had included instructions regarding how she could use it to avoid storms in the future. It had been a selfish gift. He’d rather she not go up at all, but he had no desire to deny her any joy. Which was the reason he was keeping his distance. Because with him, she would no doubt eventually have regrets one way or—
A shadow loomed, the light from the chandeliers blocked. He looked up. Gave a brisk nod. “Hollingsworth.”
The earl smiled slightly and dropped into the chair opposite him. “Langdon.”
“I hear felicitations are in order.”
“You heard that from my mistress, no doubt. She tells me you were instrumental in saving her from nature’s fury.”
“Having come to know her a little better, I very much doubt that nature is her equal, and hence my role in her rescue was minimal at best.”
Hollingsworth tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. “I suppose you’re aware she and I will be ending our association.”
“I’ve heard rumors.”
“Even now she is searching in earnest to replace me. She’s holding court here, auditioning men in the secret rooms that really aren’t so secret.”
The thought of other men touching her, performing for her, set Langdon’s teeth on edge and caused his gut to tighten.
Hollingsworth shook his head. “Young swells are attempting to beguile her. However, I suspect, Langdon, she’s yours if you want her.”
He wondered what all she had told Hollingsworth. If Langdon was the jealous sort, he might resent her relationship with the earl. Hell, he was the jealous sort.
How could he not want her?
“I asked. She said no.”
Perhaps she had sensed that he was broken.
He thought about how diligently she’d worked to repair her balloon, how she’d likened the patching up she’d done, the meticulous stitching, to creating scars and how she’d found no fault with them. He had scars that weren’t visible but ran far more deeply.
Would she find fault with them?
“You never struck me as the sort to give up easily.”
“I won’t force her to take a path she doesn’t truly want.”
“You think she truly wants any of those swells who are presently trying to woo her?”
God, he hoped not. He could think of no one worthy of her.
“How did you manage it?”
Hollingsworth jerked a bit, like he’d been taken off guard. “Manage what precisely, old chap?”
“Spend so much time with her and not fall in love with her?”
The earl glanced around before leaning forward slightly and arching a brow. “Who says I didn’t? At least some. But my heart has always been occupied elsewhere.”
Which rankled. She deserved someone who would be devoted to her.
