Page 35 of The Truth about the Rogue
Miss Marshall smiled, a hint of pink in her cheeks.
“Only to suggest that you might have that desire also because you have begun to have an affection for him, to truly care for him.”
Charlotte opened her mouth to refute it, only to close it again. She thought for some moments and then shook her head, sighing heavily.
“I do not know. I do notwantto have any feelings for him, for then I might find myself overwhelmed with affection while he pushes me aside, and that would only make my situation worse.”
“Then you must ask him,” Miss Marshall suggested, quickly. “Ask him as to whether or not you can have what you desire: a husband who is singularly devoted to his wife, regardless of what he feels.” She smiled again and lifted her shoulders in a small shrug. “That way, you will be able to know whether or not you can let your heart free to grow in its affection for him, or whether you should seek to bring it to an immediate end.”
Charlotte nodded slowly, seeing the wisdom in her friend’s words.
“I thank you, Sarah,” she said, softly. “You are quite right. I must speak to him just as soon as I am able. That way, I shall know for sure.”
Chapter Twelve
Andrew made his way into Lord Childers’ house, nodding and smiling at various other guests, all of whom he was acquainted with. There came one or two knowing looks, one or two gentle, teasing smiles, but Andrew did not respond to any of them. Instead, he greeted his host, took a glass of whisky from the tray held by the footman, and then made his way directly towards Lord Glenfield.
“Good evening.” He gestured to the rest of the room. “It is quite a crush, is it not?”
Lord Glenfield chuckled.
“It is just as I expected it would be. Lord Childers is known for inviting far too many guests and then cramming them all into his townhouse, though I believe he has opened the library, the parlor, the terrace, and even the gardens, so there should be a quieter room somewhere. Though you are not particularly inclined towards quieter spaces, are you?”
Andrew winced, though he grinned back at Lord Glenfield at the same time.
“I may not have always been, no,” he said, with a chuckle. “Though I should go in search of Miss Hawick, I think.”
“Oh, they are unable to attend this evening.” Lord Glenfield lifted his shoulders in a shrug as Andrew shot him a frown. “Miss Lillian Hawick informed me that they were attending Lord and Lady Rutton’s card party this evening.”
“Oh.” Disappointment settled in Andrew’s chest, and he frowned at the sensation, disliking it intensely. “I did not know.”
Lord Glenfield’s lip curved, a knowing look in his eye.
“You are sorrowful that she will not be in attendance.”
“Sorrowful?” Andrew scoffed, shaking his head. “Not in the least.”
His friend grinned but said nothing more and yet, that knowing look on his face remained. Andrew tried to ignore it and, much to his relief, was soon lost in conversation with two other gentlemen who came to speak with him though, much to his frustration, Miss Hawick still lingered in the back of his mind.
I almost kissed her again in the bookshop.
It had been a most extraordinary – and most astonishing – thing for him to want to do and, though he had managed to resist it, though he had managed to pull back before he had done such a thing, that urge had lingered long within him.
“How goes your courtship, Lord Kentmore?”
Andrew pulled himself out of his thoughts, looking to Lord Telford.
“My courtship is going very well, I thank you.”
Lord Telford’s eyebrows lifted.
“Indeed? Then you are not about to bring that to an end?”
A gentle frown pulled at Andrew’s forehead.
“End my courtship of Miss Hawick?”
The gentleman nodded just as Andrew shook his head, a little surprised at how the thought distressed him.
