Page 26 of A Promising Little Scandal (Sensual Scandals)

Chapter Ten

The next morning, Calliope told herself that she would face Lord Blakely as if nothing untoward had occurred, even if it killed her. She would not allow him to run her off when coming to Lyme Regis had been her idea in the first place.

She had written to Mr. Bullock the night before and sent it off with the post with the promise that she would succeed in her quest, because she wasn’t coming back to London empty handed. If she gave up, then everything she’d done thus far would have been for naught. And it wasn’t as if she had any sort of backup plan in case this endeavor didn’t bear fruit. Isa might have already invested some of her trust into business ventures, but Calliope didn’t possess the same sort of understanding that her eldest sister did.

If she didn’t return with something outstanding, a woman’s voice in science might never be taken seriously. She might never get Mary Anning the chance to be noticed for her work. She would be a laughingstock, a failure, and she would not let that stand.

Thus, she’d dressed and set out toward the cliffs with determination.

However, when she joined Mary and her brother, she was granted a brief reprieve, as the handsome visage of the viscount was nowhere to be found. She hated herself for asking the obvious, but her curiosity would not rest until she knew where the enemy was hiding. “Is Lord Blakely not joining us today?”

Joseph shook his head. “The viscount sent a note to mother last night letting us know that his grandfather needed additional attention, so he would be devoting the rest of his time in Lyme Regis toward his recovery.”

“I see.” Calliope was momentarily distracted, although she pushed aside any unanswered questions until later. For now, she intended to conduct a thorough search of the beach.

Unfortunately, as the day wore on and there was nothing of interest to be found, she started to get discouraged. Not only was her quest being thwarted by some unseen force, but she couldn’t remove Lord Blakely from her mind.

Nor that devastating kiss that they had shared.

She kept telling herself that she should be grateful that he had finally ceased in his pursuit of her, but at the same time, she didn’t want to leave things as they were. They hadn’t exactly parted on good terms, and he was still the best friend of her brother-in-law. If nothing else, she ought to try to make amends. Or at least, make the effort. If he denied her request, then she could claim that she’d made the attempt.

Thus, when she parted ways with Mary and Joseph for the day, instead of returning to her lodgings, she crossed the street and entered the Three Cups. She walked inside the establishment and glanced about the tap room. Of course, she wasn’t going to get that lucky. She walked up to the bar and inquired after the viscount. Although the innkeeper didn’t appear pleased at her request to check and see if Lord Blakely was available, he did so without complaint.

He came back with the news that the viscount and marquess had yet to return. Calliope considered leaving a note but discounted the notion when the innkeeper dismissed her and resumed his duties.

Discouraged, but determined to speak with Lord Blakely the next day, Calliope opened the door and nearly collided with someone coming in from outside.

“I’m terribly sorry—” Her words broke off when she realized who she’d run into.

The viscount’s gaze shone with something predatory, before it was quickly banked, his dark eyes becoming flat. He offered a slight incline of his head, and Calliope noted that it was still damp, the salty scent of the sea still clinging to him.

“My lady.” The greeting was polite, but perfectly detached and completely at odds from the charming gentleman she had come to know.

The marquess entered right behind him and paused upon seeing her.

“Lord Abersheen,” she said coolly, and then returned her attention to Sebastian. “Forgive the intrusion, my lord, but I was hoping I might have a moment of your time?”

The viscount didn’t immediately accept her request, but as his grandfather mumbled under his breath and used his cane to thump toward the stairs, she assumed that meant he would allow the brief exchange.

Sebastian waved a hand toward a nearby table. After a moment’s hesitation, as she had been hoping for somewhere a bit more private, she slid into the chair across from him. Once he had taken his seat, she clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m told you will no longer be joining us at the beach.”

A serving maid came over and set down two mugs of ale. Once she was gone, he nodded his head. “You heard correctly.”

“Because of your grandfather’s health?” she persisted. “While I know his leg pains him, I didn’t realize things had gotten so severe.”

His focus dropped to the mug in front of him, but instead of taking a drink, he merely stared at the contents inside, as if he would rather converse with anything other than her. “We have both tired of the seaside and wish to return to London. The only way to do that is to ensure the waters work their magic.”

She waited for him to continue, but when he didn’t, she shrugged her shoulders. “So, that’s it?”

His dark eyes returned to hers with an intensity that nearly stole her breath. “What else were you expecting?”

She gritted her teeth, because she honestly had no idea. “I don’t know, but not this.” She waved a hand between them. “I would prefer to have the light banter back, rather than this stilted awkwardness.”

He cocked his head to the side. “I thought you didn’t have any interest in me.” He lifted a brow. “At least, that’s what you said at the Langston Ball.”

“I don’t,” she denied quickly. Almost too much so.

“And yet, your body told me something entirely different yesterday when I held you in my arms.”

---