Page 42 of A Marquess to Save Her
“Louise, would you not reply to the good Earl?” Her mother said.
It was then that she realized that the Earl had been talking, but the presence of Callum had her too occupied to hear him.
“Of course, My Lord,” she replied, smiling, even though she had no idea what she was responding to.
Lord Pembroke gave a bow before he went on his way. On the other hand, Louise gave her flowers to one of the maids to take into her bedroom.
Lord Pembroke had walked away before Callum walked over to her, all smiles this time.
“Lady Louise,” he greeted, “would you like to take a short walk with me.”
“My Lord,” she replied as she settled beside Callum, her mother close behind her.
“I can see that you have been receiving gifts,” Callum replied.
“Just this one,” she responded in a low tone, “isn't this just lovely?”
Callum shrugged. “I suppose it is. You have what you want now,” he said.
“You do not seem happy for me,” she responded.
“I am happy for you, Lady Louise,” he said, “I would just implore that you be careful.”
“Careful?” Louise grimaced, “I do not quite understand.”
“Not all the gentlemen here are true gentlemen,” he replied.
Annoyed at Callum's pessimism, Louise crossed her arms on her chest. “And what would you would know about being a gentleman?” Louise asked.
Callum blinked rapidly, and Louise could see that he was hurt by her words. “Is that so, Lady Louise?” He asked.
Louise shrugged stubbornly. “You are a rake. You are not exactly the one to judge anyone on what it means to be a gentleman,”
Callum chuckled. “I apologize if I have offended you, Lady Louise. But you must know that I am only saying this because I care for you and I would not want you to get into an uncomfortable situation.”
Louise raised an eyebrow. “Is that really the case or you are simply trying to paint Lord Pembroke in a negative light for your own selfish interest?”
Callum stopped in his tracks. “What selfish interest?”
“I do not know. But I suppose you would want me to not be courted by another gentleman since you would want to always spend time around me for your own selfish interests,” she said.
“Lady Louise, do you mean that I have participated in this plan to get you engaged only to try and sabotage you? Is that what you are accusing me of?” Callum asked.
Louise calmed. When Callum said it like that, she could see how ridiculous her accusations seemed. In fact, on second thought, she realized that she was not only reacting to what Callum had said, but she was also still annoyed at the fact that Catherine had been at the hunting party with him. But, of course, she could not tell him that because, then, she would seem unreasonable.
“My apologies, my lord. I suppose I may have overreacted,” Louise said.
“We should go back in time for dinner,” Callum said instead.
By the time they returned to the dining room, Louise was beginning to feel really bad about what she had said to Callum. At the dining table, Lord Pembroke took his seat by her side while Callum sat directly opposite her.This will, no doubt, be an uncomfortable dinner.However, when she delved into the food, she momentarily forgot all about her woes.
“Lord Pembroke, would you be kind enough to pass me the pudding?” Louise said to Pembroke.
“Of course, Lady Louise,” Pembroke responded, jumping to her aid.
Louise continued to tuck into it with calculated poise.
“Lady Louise, I must say you have a healthy appetite for a lady,” Pembroke said.
