Page 42 of A Sinful Viscount's Mistletoe Affair
He turned to Henry. “I give my approval for the match,” he said slowly. “But I would like a couple of days to discuss things with Isabella before we make it all official. Perhaps we can settle everything in time to make the announcement at the Christmas Eve ball?
Then the whole thing will have a little splendour attached to it. What do you think?” He looked at Henry hopefully, thinking that the idea of a grand announcement at a glamorous society function would appeal to him.
He was right. Henry’s chest puffed out, and he smiled. “I think that is a fine idea,” he agreed. Then a hint of worry cast over his face. “But you will tell me if she has any strong objections? I do not want any trouble, you know. I just want a simple life.”
George nodded. “Of course. But I am quite sure there will be no trouble. I will make sure of it, in fact.”
Henry nodded curtly. “Well, I think I shall go and have a game of billiards now if that is all we need to discuss?”
“Indeed,” George replied. “I think our business here is finished.”
Henry crossed the room, poured himself a drink, then set about looking for someone to play a game with.
George breathed out a sigh of relief. Perhaps everything was going to turn out alright in the end. He allowed himself to hope that Isabella would accept the situation, and then at the end of the house party, Sebastian would disappear from their lives, never to return, and the secrets of the past would remain just that – secrets.
But his heart sank when he looked up and saw Sebastian striding purposefully towards him, a focused look in his eye.
“Lord Evermere,” he said rather formally. “I wondered if I might speak to you in private?”
George felt a surge of anxiety coursing through him, making the tips of his fingers tingle. He coughed. “Well, my dear boy, I am sure there is nothing we need to discuss that we cannot speak of here? Let me go and fetch you a drink; then you can tell me all about it.”
He turned away before Sebastian had a chance to reply. He hoped that by buying himself some time fussing with the drinks, he would gather his thoughts enough to figure out what Sebastian would say to him and prepare a response.
But before he had a chance to do so, Victor appeared at his side, almost by magic.
“Come along, George, we need another player for a game of whist! Won’t you join us?”
George felt his shoulders drop with relief. He had never been quite so pleased to join a game of cards in his life. Shooting Sebastian what he hoped seemed like an apologetic look, he allowed himself to be led away to the card table by Victor. Whatever Sebastian wanted to talk about would have to wait.
***
Sebastian could scarcely believe what had just happened. Lord Harrow had swooped in from nowhere and practically dragged George Langley away from him. He wondered if the whole thing had been planned, but surely they could not have known that he would choose this evening to try to confront George?
No, he was being ridiculous, and he knew it. It was a mere coincidence that the baron chose that moment to haul George away for a wretched game of cards.
He would have to try again. He promised himself that he would not give in. If he made no progress tonight, then there was always tomorrow.
He remembered the last time he had seen his father. His mother had not wanted him to visit the prison, but he had sneaked away secretly, not telling her where he was going.
His father had been thin and ill-looking, and it had been almost more than he could bear to see him like that. But he would not discuss anything relating to what had happened regarding the cargo ship.
“There is no point raking over the past, my son,” was what he had said. They had been almost the last words his father had spoken to him.
But somehow, he could not seem to let it go. He could not forget the suffering on his father’s face. And if George Langley were somehow responsible, then he would have to make him pay. He had no choice. And his feelings for Isabella did not matter. He could not allow himself to succumb to his passion for her again.
Chapter 20
Isabella entered her father’s study, a feeling of trepidation growing in her heart. She had been expecting to be summoned any day now, and the moment had finally arrived.
She had been seated next to the duke at dinner again last night, with Sebastian at the far end of the table with Daphne and Adrian, too far away for her even to hear their lively conversation. And she had resolved to make an effort with the duke, but every moment was a challenge to her.
They had so little in common, and he did not seem to be at all interested in her life or the things that mattered to her. It was so different from how it felt when she was with Sebastian.
But it seemed as if the die was cast now. Her father was sitting behind his large mahogany desk, waiting for her. He motioned for her to sit down opposite him, and she obeyed.
“Thank you for coming to see me, Isabella,” he said rather formally. She thought he actually looked a little nervous, although she could not imagine why.
She nodded but did not say anything. She had not been at all busy, in truth; she had spent most of the morning sitting chatting with Daphne, although she was finding it rather difficult to spend time with her friend without confessing everything that had happened between herself and Sebastian.
