Page 60 of Fatal By Design
“I agree,” Audrey said. “I think traveling will occupy her thoughts. Perhaps it will even inspire a change of heart.”
It would also take her far from London and the very handsome and intriguing Lord Thornton. During the week he remained at Greenbriar, Audrey had caught Grant’s attention drifting toward Cassie when he thought no one was looking. Cassie, however, avoided even acknowledging that he was in the room, her embarrassment was still so high. While Audrey liked Grant very much, and he was Hugh’s closest friend, he was far too old for Cassie. He had to be in his early thirties and his reputation for being a rake and mixing with the demimonde was well known.
“I should go rescue her from my tyrant of a husband,” Genie said, then kissed Audrey’s cheeks and gave her a quick embrace. “Besides, I think someone is looking for your undivided attention.”
Following her coy glimpse, Audrey saw Hugh waiting next to her carriage. His own was the third in courtyard, laden with luggage and already filled with his young assistant and valet. They were on their way to Surrey for the remainder of September before they would return to London.
Hugh wore sable buckskins and black hessians, and a green swallow-tailed coat over a deep green embroidered waistcoat that seemed to be a favorite of his. Either that, or it was a favorite of Basil’s and Hugh merely relented to his valet’s imperious will.
As she approached him, Audrey prepared herself. She hadn’t been looking forward to this moment, and by the cheerless set of his mouth, Hugh felt much the same.
“I don’t like the idea of you traveling alone,” he said as she joined him.
“I won’t be alone.”
“Yes, I know, you’ll have Carrigan.” He said it as if by rote memorization. She supposed he’d heard it enough times. It never placated him, though, even if her driver had proved to be stalwart in his protection.
Right then, Carrigan and Greer were locked in a conversation near the horses, and her maid’s lips were curiously drawn into a grin. The expression was so foreign to Audrey that she had to look twice to believe it.
“I will also have Cassie,” she reminded Hugh. Then, thinking of her earlier suspicions, she decided to ask him point-blank, “Do you think Grant has developed an interest in her?”
Surprise transformed his gloomy face, and he all but laughed at the suggestion. “Thornton? I would not give Lady Cassandra any hope there.”
“Hope? I’m of the opinion it’s a bad idea.”
Now Hugh’s scowl returned. “I thought you liked him. Well enough to call himGrant.”
She secretly enjoyed the minor show of jealousy. He had commented more than once on the two of them now being on first name terms, and before leaving Greenbriar, Grant had playfully fanned the flames of Hugh’s irritation any chance he got. Audrey had not taken his flirtations to heart, though she feared Cassie might, if the physician’s ever turned his charm toward her.
“I do like him, but he is…well, on top of being much older, I fear he is...”
“A scoundrel?” Hugh provided.
Hearing him say it made her feel slightly guilty. “Not entirely that, but he does have a mildly libertine reputation.”
Hugh shook his head. “Thornton knows better than to dally with Lady Cassandra, and I’m afraid that’s all he is good for. His love for his late wife continues to have a hold on him.”
“Oh.” Her sympathy for the physician rushed forward. Now she felt even more shamefaced. “I didn’t know.”
“He loved Sarah fiercely.” Hugh held her stare, his eyes turning dusky. The intensity of his gaze changed. Though he stood an arm’s length away, and he didn’t reach for her, she could sense his urge to touch her. To hold her and kiss her. And more.
He lowered his voice. “I didn’t understand what he felt, not truly. I do now.”
Audrey longed for a moment alone with him. They’d had so few since his return from Town. A few stolen kisses—one in the glasshouse, while they waited out a rain shower, had made her legs turn to putty and her good sense fizzle.
If they had been alone now, she would have taken his hand and assured him that she would be safe on her trip to the Continent. It was worrying him; she could see it as he thought of Grant and the loss he’d suffered.
“Will you see him?” Hugh asked. The question confused her. She frowned, not understanding until he added, “On your travels.”
Philip. He meantPhilip. Her lungs emptied and disappointment flooded her. “Is that what you think I’m doing? Going to the Continent to see him?”
She leaned backward in dismay. He chased her with a step forward despite their present company, occupied though they were in conversation.
“No.” But then he sighed and admitted, “I wondered if it had crossed your mind.”
“I was honest with you earlier. I have no idea,” she curtailed her voice, “where he is. America for all I know.”
Contrition crossed his face and Hugh nodded. “I’m sorry. I know you were being honest. I suppose I just don’t like that you’ll be so far away.”
