Page 39 of The Truth about the Earl
“So soon?” Lord Huntsford’s eyes tore toward his hair. “But what has happened? This is not what was meant to happen. I thought I would find you with such a delighted heart and a broad smile on your face!”
James shook his head, his hands loosening from the tight fists he had held them in. “I had thought so also.” A heavy weariness seemed to tug at him, dropping his shoulders as his head lowered. “But it was not to be.”
“And why is that?”
Having no recourse but to tell his friend what had happened, James sighed and rubbed one hand over his eyes. “She is Mrs. Fullerton.” He waited for Lord Huntsford’s loud exclamationbut, much to his surprise, it did not come. Instead, Lord Huntsford merely nodded, as though this had not come as much of a shock.
“I see.”
“I am deeply angry.”
“That is….understandable, although you must admit it is rather confusing.”
James blinked. “Confusing?”
“Recall that an additional piece was written about Lady Essington herself,” Lord Huntsford reminded him, striking James with yet another shock as that came immediately to his mind. “Why would the lady write something so injurious about herself?
You did not listen to her.
The slow, stabbing ache of his conscience drove itself into James’ heart and he looked away, letting out a hissing breath between his teeth.
“You did not ask her?”
Closing his eyes, James shook his head. “No, I did not.”
“Why ever not?”
“Because I was angry.” Throwing up his hands, James let out a loud groan, tipping his head back to the sunny skies. “She was so very afraid to tell me the truth and begged me to listen to all she had to say before making any sort of decision as to our continued acquaintance.”
Lord Huntsford’s lips pulled to one side but he did not say anything, a silent question evident in his eyes.
“No, I did not do as I had promised.” James gritted his teeth, angry now at his foolish, reactionary behavior. “I thought only of myself and my own upset and tore myself from her without permitting her to explain anything.”
“I see.”
“And now I am naught but a fool, as well I know.”
“There is much more for her to say,” came the quiet reply. “I would encourage you to return to her so she has the opportunity to do so.”
James nodded, shame building inside him until it threatened to shatter his heart into a thousand pieces. A large part of him wanted to return home and hide away, lost in his shame whilst the other part of him practically screamed at him to run and find her before it was too late.
“Go!” Lord Huntsford gave his shoulder a gentle shove, pulling him from his thoughts. “Lingering here and speaking to me will do nothing.”
Nodding, James turned and hurried away, back to where he had left Lady Essington. His breathing was ragged as he walked with quickened footsteps, his hands clenching and unclenching as he sought desperately to find her.
I am sorry. I am sorry I did not listen to you, Lady Essington.The quiet pleadings in his heart echoed what it was he wanted to say to the lady when he finally found her.What is the full explanation? What is it that has caused you to write such things about me, about yourself?That last question had his brow furrowing all the more, realizing now just how confusing that part was. Why had she written something so damning about herself? If she was Mrs. Fullerton, what reason could there possibly be to injure herself so in front of all society?
His mind whirring, James made his way back toward the spot where he had left Lady Essington, but she was nowhere to be seen. He turned to the left and then to the right, his eyes on the path in the hope she would be walking there, but he could not make her out. His heart sank. He was too late.
Chapter Fifteen
“You must dry your eyes.”
Norah sniffed, pressing the handkerchief to her eyes once more. “You did not see his expression, Sophia.”
“But I know you well enough to know you will find a way through this predicament,” came the firm reply. “You might consider writing him a letter, or simply going to speak to him again. He – ”
“He has made it quite clear he does not want to speak to me again.” Norah’s voice cracked with emotion but she swallowed her tears and tried to continue. “If he wishes to ask me anything more about the matter, then he will have to come to speak to me.”
