Page 94 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
Oh, something inside her, the littlegirl who had sat staring out of the dormitory window for the sight of her father, kept hoping Xavier might be different, but in her heart of hearts she knew it wasn’t possible.
Father had never arrived to collect her in her hour of need.
Nor had Helmut for that matter. So why would Xavier be any different?
She would keep their assignation on Wednesday and bid him a fond farewell. And rather than drag his good name through the mire, seek a different way to bring about her ruin. That was the best she could do for him.
She ignored the twist of pain close to her heart.
Xavier mopped his face with the towel the trainer handed him.
‘Are you mad?’
Xavier tossed the towel to one side and gave Julian a look of scorn. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘I saw you just now. That wasn’t sparring, that was fighting. You are going to have a couple of lovely bruises tomorrow.’
New bruises to join the old ones.
‘So will he.’ He nodded towards his opponent. The man grinned.
He’d given as good as he’d got, and received a goodly sum for the privilege.
Julian shook his head. ‘I haven’t seen you in this sort of mood since your father died. What has happened?’
‘I do not know what you mean.’
‘Fighting like you wanted someone to hurt you.’
‘It is exercise. Nothing more.’ Trying to get the itch he had for the Countess out from under his skin, more like. He had come very close to making the worst mistake of his life.
Thank God her father had been present when he called or he would right now be receiving congratulations on his impending marriage.
Fortunately the time he’d had to reflect on the full import of his decision had stopped him from doing something so foolish.
Later today, when they met privately, he would tell her their affair was over.
Even if he had to beat himself to a pulp in the boxing ring to make himself do it.
She was not the sort of woman he wanted to wed. He should never have started an affair with her. He deserved a few bruises for being so stupid.
It had always worked when he was a lad at school. He rarely needed a real fight these days. A few rounds of sparring usually took the pepper out of his temper. Helped him regain control.
He took a deep breath. And put on his shirt. It seemed he definitely needed control when it came to dealing with the Countess.
And besides, she had made it very clear she had no interest in marrying him. He had, he realised later, been fortunate indeed to catch the tail end of her words. He could understand why she might not want to marry for a third time, even if he was a duke. He certainly did not wish her tobe forced into it.
‘Want to come to White’s for luncheon?’ Julian asked.
‘I need to go home for a bath,’ Xavier said. ‘I have an appointment this afternoon.’
Julian looked disappointed but gave a shrug. ‘Tomorrow, then.’
‘Yes. Tomorrow.’ By tomorrow, he and the Countess would have parted.
He just hoped she would not be too upset.
He did not like dealing with emotional women.
