Page 13 of Bargaining for the Barrister
“I did not particularly enjoy our visit, if you must know.” Paul pulled his leg up over his knee. He had no reason to hide the fact that he wanted Mr. Cox to take his sister home as soon as possible.
Mr. Cox rubbed one brow. “I appreciate your honesty, but I must warn you I cannot abide a man who mistreats a woman, even so much as to hurt her feelings. Do watch yourself in her presence.”
Before moving to Brookeside, Paul had been ruthlessly bullied and tormented as a boy. It had taken years to heal and come into himself, and now he rarely flinched when approached by someone aggressive, but he had just asked Miss Cox to hide behind a screen, and yesterday’s circus act came to mind too. “You can be assured I would never intentionally hurt any woman.”
“I have asked around, and it appears there are many who would agree. But when a man brings his sister into a stranger’s home, he cannot be too careful.” Mr. Cox stood, and his smile matched his sister’s in shape but not in enthusiasm. “We will have to continue this chat later. I have letters to finish addressing. This is a business trip for me, after all.”
His last words dripped with irony. Paul scowled. It would be easier if he admitted he knew everything and could be straightforward with his feelings. If it were not for his mother’s tender heart and Paul’s devotion to her, he’d do so right away. But it was just as Ian had said. Paul was too soft—soft enough to commit to tracking down Miss Cox to ask her the last three questions. But then he would wash his hands of her once and for all.
Chapter 6
As soon as Logan enteredthe drawing room after dinner, Louisa went straight to him. His face was as somber as ever and his dark hair combed within an inch of its life, but she did think he was enjoying a break from his business obligations. She’d nearly reached him when Mr. Sheldon’s father intercepted her, catching her off guard. Her chat with her brother would have to wait. She curtsied, having been introduced to the older Mr. Sheldon briefly before dinner.
His hair did not have the same gray coloring as his wife’s, nor did it have the same shade of brown as his son’s. His was like a wreath of blackish brown around the top of his head with a bare spot in the middle. He wore a sharp yellow waistcoat buttoned across his large girth, and his kind eyes peered down at her. “Miss Cox, how are you still smiling after your second day here? Are you not fatigued by the newness of your surroundings?”
“A little,” she admitted. “But I smile because I ought to smile. It’s been a pleasure meeting you and your family.”
He beamed in response. “You are just as Lady Kellen described—sweet and cheerful. We are honored you have accepted our invitation to visit. What do you think of our Paul? He’s a handsome one, isn’t he?”
Louisa’s cheeks warmed, and she fumbled for what to say. If she admitted she found the younger Mr. Sheldon a mite handsome, would his father misconstrue that she felt more for his son than she did? She would rather disappoint herself than his parents.
“You do not have to answer,” the older Mr. Sheldon said. “Your blush tells me all I need to know. Now, do not be afraid to encourage him a bit. He can be reserved around newcomers.”
So much for not raising anyone’s hopes. His tone was more fatherly than pressing, but she was eager to talk with Logan and end this awkward conversation. “I will keep that in mind.” She stole a glance at her brother, who waited a few steps away.
“Excellent.” The elder Mr. Sheldon dipped his head and, thankfully, excused himself.
Logan retrieved her and pulled her farther aside from the others. She was turned so she could see the room and its occupants. Lady Kellen had joined them for dinner, as had her distrustful son, Lord Reynolds. He was probably charming in other circumstances and no doubt greatly sought-after in Society with his thick sandy hair, hollowed angular cheeks, and prominent dimpled chin, but tonight his brooding presence only put a damper on the entire evening. She had had enough of his glares and the onslaught of stares from everyone else. She hoped a private word with her brother would help her gain her bearings once more.
“What do you make of them all?” she asked him in a near whisper.
“What matters is what I think of Mr. Sheldon, not the others.”
“Agreed, but we have to remember these people will be my new family and neighbors.”
“I should ask what you think, then,” he said.
A myriad of thoughts whirled in her head even now. This morning’s unique visit, with Mr. Sheldon hiding her behind the screen, had rivaled their first meeting in its strangeness, but she’d rather have an odd husband who was kind than an ordinary one who would take advantage of her situation. “I’m determined to give it a chance. Surely, with time, we will grow used to each other.”
“Perhaps. But your words imply your comfort with the idea is not what it should be. When you returned from the gardens yesterday, you tried to hide your unease. Forcing this to happen will not solve your problems. Say the word, and we will leave this place. Another Season—”
“Not another Season; you promised.” There would only be more suitors after a piece of her father’s fortune, and she could not allow that.
“What about the letters? They were from Miss Davies, but I know it was an attempt to conceal a letter from her brother. You could always marry him. At least you know exactly what you would be getting.”
Geraldine’s letter had enclosed a hidden note from her shameless older brother, Mr. Davies. He was ambitious but lazy, and marrying into money was his easy path to success. He would be tolerable enough if not for his wandering eye. “Was it you who told him I was coming here?”
“No, but it wouldn’t have been hard to find out our location, as I told my associates where to find me.”
She shivered thinking of Mr. Davies going to such measures. At least Mr. Turner was still ignorant of her location, though if the rumors were correct, his gambling debts would only increase his desperation to find her. “Please, Logan. You know how I feel about Mr. Davies, which is the same way I feel about Mr. Turner, should you feel the need to bring him up next.”
“Because they tried to court you while you were in mourning? I admit it was distasteful, but both seemed to act out of affection for you.”
She dropped her head. Their motivations were far from loving, but her brother would never understand. He did not see what she saw in them. Just because they were local men from acceptable positions who appreciated horse flesh and the races and complimented Logan’s business sense did not make them good candidates for a husband. There was no depth to their friendship, which was the way Logan preferred it, as he was too busy to care, but she did not want the same level of relationship applied to her marriage. Neither of those men truly cared for her. To be married just for her money made her feel like she was dishonoring her father and all his efforts to build up their wealth and position in the first place.
Logan sighed. “I see you will not be convinced. But if Mr. Sheldon is at all unkind, I insist you tell me right away.”
His sentiment touched her—she’d waited so long for a sign that Logan saw her still—though she did not promise him anything. Beneath Mr. Sheldon’s solemn exterior, he had a warm personality; she could tell. He was quick to apologize and had even tried to protect her being introduced to the opinionated Lord Reynolds—his own best friend. While none of that warmth had been directed toward her, at least not as a man would toward a woman he cared for, she did not believe him capable of being mean-spirited. Logan had nothing to worry about.
