Page 76 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
“He’ll get over that.”
“I don’t think so. And after tonight, now that I know the truth…how could you think I would inflict myself on your family? I’ve always known that my Society is below yours, butthis—”
“Don’t talk like that! You’re not leaving us. I don’t give a fig what some ignorant men say to one another. Anyone who knows you understands the goodness in you.”
Louisa gripped Georgie’s hand. “You are a sweet girl, Georgie, but you’re naive.”
“Then naivete is a strength. Trust me, Louisa. Don’t make any hasty decisions. Let us go on as we have been. I’ve been making real strides tonight. But now we should go back inside.”
“They can’t think any worse of me, but if you’re with me—”
“Stop worrying so much!”
“I just need a few minutes to compose myself, please. I’ll be inside soon, I promise.”
“I can’t leave you like this.”
“I’m done pitying myself, and the tears have truly stopped. I just need a moment for my red, puffy face to look somewhat normal.”
“All right, but you come find me so that I know you’re back.”
“I will, I promise.”
When Georgie kissed her cheek, Louisa almost started crying again. But she forced a smile and a wave, and then she was alone.
But not for long. She was taking deep breaths, dragging her thoughts away from sadness, when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around and found herself too close to Lord Keane. He was wearing a smile as he looked down at her, and he didn’t bother to conceal the fact that he wasn’t just looking at her face. Wishing she could yank her gown higher, she settled for a cool nod.
“Good evening, Lord Keane. If you don’t mind, I came out here to be alone.”
“Yes, it is rather private,” he said in his smooth voice, “but surely you don’t meanallalone. Haven’t you been waiting for a lucky man to join you?”
She started to tremble. There was no one on the terrace but the two of them. And she had nothing left of her reputation or family to protect her.
“No, my lord. Have a good evening.”
As she swept by him, he caught her arm. She stared down at his fingers for a moment, then up into his amused eyes.
“This is not a game,” she said with a calmness she didn’t feel.
Just as he opened his mouth, Louisa heard her name called. She looked up to see Mr. Wade standing in the open doorway.
“Miss Shelby, are you all right? My grandmother is calling for you, but if you need my assistance—”
“No, Mr. Wade!” She hoped this scene did not escalate into something she could never recover from.
Lord Keane let her go. “Another time,” he said softly.
“There will not be another time, I assure you. For the sake of us both, please wait several minutes before you go back inside.”
When she reached the door, she gave Mr. Wade a grateful smile and slipped past him.
“Where is your grandmother?” she asked.
“I lied,” he said.
They both looked out through the glass doors at Lord Keane, who leaned against the balustrade and gave them a little wave.
Mr. Wade blocked her view of the terrace. “I would have come out there to defend you, but I didn’t want him to think…”
