Page 24 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
He turned to Shrewsbury with a look of icy fury. How dare this pompous, arrogant man speak so cruelly about a woman under his protection? And malign Dharma so. As if he’d court his friend’s sister while his mistress lived in his house.
“Apologize immediately. How dare you question my honor and that of the ladies,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’m more than happy to meet you on the dueling field to teach you some manners.”
“Do as the man says,” Tobin, Dharma’s brother, said as he stood to his feet. “Or else there may be two of us requesting your presence on the dueling field.”
Shrewsbury immediately apologized. “My apologies. I meant nothing by it. I’m merely jealous.”
Tobin retook his seat, and the room stayed silent until Lord Fencourt spoke. “Mrs. McTavish is a lovely lady. I hear her husband knew your father?”
Devlin slowly turned to face the young pup, who appeared to be interested in Dharma. He hated how his gut tightened at the idea of Dharma spending any time with the young Lord Fencourt. “Who told you that?” He’d warned Fiona not to say anything. How had he learned that Fiona’s husband knew his father?
Fencourt stammered nervously as he looked up at Devlin, his pale face flushing pink under the older man's scrutiny. Despite his nervousness and fear of being caught lying, “Well...” Fencourt began hesitantly, licking his lips nervously and struggling to find the words that would explain away this sudden interest in how Fiona knew Devlin. “I’m sure she mentioned it to me.”
Devlin raised a skeptical eyebrow but could hardly refute his statement. Not until he’d checked with Fiona. But something about Fencourt’s demeanor made him wonder. Fencourt’s father, Lord Longton, was in the War Cabinet with his father. Given what he’d learned from her, everyone in that cabinet was under suspicion. He needed to warn Fiona to watch what she said, and to whom.
“Gentlemen, shall we rejoin the ladies?” And His Grace led the men from the room.
Upon entering the drawing room, Devlin took one look at Fiona and decided they should leave. Neither of them had gotten over the rigors of their swift return to London and he wanted no more questions asked.
“Mrs. McTavish and Rosemary, I’m sorry, but I feel it’s time to leave. Mrs. McTavish is still tired from her journey and it’s late.”
Fiona flashed him a grateful smile.
He turned to Dharma. “Lady Dharma, I shall call on you tomorrow morning.” She nodded her head to acquiesce and waved goodbye to Rosemary. Devlin had to force himself to follow the ladies from the room as Lord Fencourt made a beeline to Dharma’s side. His temper flared as he noted the warm smile she gave the young man. Devlin’s heart sank. He had a lot of ground to make up in the romance stakes. As he walked the ladies to his carriage, he wondered if a romance right now was the smartest move.
Danger was racing at him.
And it didn’t help that he knew it was all his fault. But he’d wanted to protect Dharma. If this unraveled the way he thought, anyone close to him would be in danger, too.
Tomorrow he would ask to postpone their courtship. He couldn’t explain why without rumors spreading.
His jaw clenched at the thought of how hurt and torn she would be at his calling off his suit.
ChapterSeven
The next day Dharma dressed with care for her meeting with Devlin, choosing a gown of pale pink that made her feel feminine and pretty. Alice, her elderly lady’s maid, styled Dharma’s hair into soft curls that framed her face, and applied a bit of color to her cheeks to hide the faint smudges of fatigue. She’d not slept last night, nerves strumming, wondering what Devlin would reveal at their meeting. Was he here to profess his love? Or to ask for a second chance?
“What will you do if he offers for you?” Alice asked, standing back and admiring her work. “You look beautiful enough to turn any man’s head. He’ll be down on one knee as soon as he enters the room.”
“Don’t be so sure. I don't know what I’ll do if he offers,” Dharma answered honestly. “His lack of contact over the past three months doesn’t sit well with me. I understand now why he had to leave, but still… He could’ve sent me a note at least.” She sat back, gazing out the window at the streets. “And then there is the beautiful widow. Mrs. McTavish is a puzzle. Why is she with him and why has he put her up in his house?”
“Don’t let your pride cloud your judgement. Don’t listen to the venom that is spewed from within theton.Give him a chance to explain. Then you will need to decide if you trust him.”
Alice was right; she owed it to Devlin to hear him out. But trust… What had he said to her in Cornwall all those months ago? A desperate man was dangerous… Was he still desperate?
She did not know what she would do if Devlin proposed. She’d considered the possibility carefully in the past week and found that she’d given the idea careful consideration only because she feared no other man would live up to Devlin’s appeal. But she’d promised herself only love would see her tie her life to any man’s. She wanted a love like her parents. Having watched Charlotte’s disastrous marriage to her father, Dharma was wise to the fact a marriage was for life. And unlike Charlotte, who married Dharma’s elder father, Devlin was a man in his prime. She might end up stuck in a loveless marriage for years.
She frowned, her hand fisting in her lap. However, if he sought an audience merely to apologize and to express his wish to court her again, then she would agree. She wanted to see if Devlin’s feelings could develop into love. She was brave enough to admit he stirred and challenged her more than any other man she’d met. However, she would tell him she would also allow others to court her, too. It always paid to have a backup and Fencourt intrigued her. He was rather young to be so serious in his declaration of affection for her. Why was he looking to marry so young? His family didn’t need the money. So his feelings must be genuine.
Mrs. McTavish had revealed little when they had talked after dinner last night. She’d merely said she was visiting London for a short time and would soon return north. She wouldn’t be drawn on how she knew Lord Devlin, merely saying it was through mutual friends.
It was nearing the time Devlin said he’d call, so Dharma made her way to the drawing room. She’d always known this house as home, and this room in particular. She loved that Philippa, Tobin’s wife, had not touched the room since Tobin became the Earl. The room was exactly as her mother had left it. Lavish with gold leaf and red velvet wallpaper. Framed family portraits hung on the walls, the men in their powdered wigs, the women in their silks and satins.
The furniture suited the elegance of the space. Deep red leather chairs, gold trimmings and elaborate scripts carved into the mahogany table. The windows let in the light of a bright spring day, lifting her mood.
They decorated the parquetry floor with thick rugs woven into intricate patterns. The chandeliers were brighter than the sun, and their gleam bounced off the gilded frames of the oil paintings hanging on the walls. The servants had already organized the tea service of silver, and the porcelain cups were white as the driven snow.
Everything looked ready. On a deep breath to steady her skittering nerves, Dharma took the chair near the window. It allowed her to see both the street to note Devlin’s arrival, while also facing the door for his entrance.
