Page 44 of Bargaining for the Barrister
Her eyes seemed to glow beneath his gaze, and her chest rose up and down in rapid succession, telling him that her feelings were as torn as his. He set her hand back in her lap and stood. “Until tomorrow, Miss Cox.”
Ian marched out the door ahead of Paul. It wasn’t until they were outside again and down the front stairs that he turned to face him. “What the devil were you thinking?”
“I told you. I was protecting an innocent woman.”
“Protecting her? You were slaying her reputation and your own. If you think there were rumors before, think what people will say now.”
“I’ll have to rely on the trust this town has in me. Mr. Davies and Mr. Turner cannot possess a better reputation than I do, so who will believe them?”
“You went too far!” Ian shoved a finger into Paul’s chest.
Paul swatted his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Don’t touch you?” Ian sputtered. “Don’t touch you?! That’s all you were doing in there, was touching! Never, in the twenty years I’ve known you, have I seen you touch anyone outside of holding your arm out at an awkward angle to a lady, and that was only to prove to your mother that you had manners,” he growled.
If Ian was this surprised, then Lady Kellen was likely in a state. “What do you want me to say, Ian? We spent a day in the attic together, and I discovered I like when she touches me. Are you satisfied?”
Ian covered his head with his hands and emitted a strangled cry. “I did not hear that.” He dropped his hands and backed up several steps. “I imagined every word. My best friend did not just change overnight for a woman!”
The accusation tipped Paul over the edge. He marched after Ian, shoving his finger into Ian’s chest like Ian had done to him. “Don’t put words in my mouth. This proves nothing. Just because I sat next to her does not mean I am proposing marriage. Nothing has changed, except for the fact that I’m leaving and you’re not.”
“If you think I’m going in there to explain why you acted like a besotted, idiotic suitor, you’re wrong.”
“You don’t have to explain anything. Just stay by Louisa’s side and keep those imbeciles away from her. Tomorrow I’ll get Tom to do it and Miles the next day. This is about protecting her and nothing more—a Rebel’s responsibility.” Paul turned toward the stables to collect his horse but whirled back to face Ian once again. “And, while you’re at it, explain to your mother that she invited a couple of rakes to be her houseguests. If she wants character references, I have eyewitnesses in London for at least one of them.”
He heard Ian groan and kick at the rocks, but Paul kept marching toward the stables. Whether he liked it or not, Ian had a point. He likely had gone too far.He was depending on Lady Kellen to smother another set of rumors once she understood the situation, but would she? He knew he could depend on Ian to speak with her and shield Louisa, no matter how angry they were with each other.
He hated leaving Louisa in such a position, yet he’d already risked all he could. Paul huffed and balled his fists. A man such as him required boundaries and couldn’t drop his defenses for too long, or he’d find himself saddled with a wife. A happy predicament for some but not him. His whole existence—past and future—hadn’t changed like some passing fancy, as Ian had inferred. A glorious thought but not a possible one.
Chapter 20
Louisa opened the door ofher bedchamber the next morning to discover Mrs. Sheldon and Lady Kellen hovering just outside. Her greeting barely formed on her lips before the two women hurried past her into the room. She shut the door behind them and turned to find herself cornered. Lady Kellen was a little on edge, while Mrs. Sheldon seemed particularly worried.
Louisa rubbed absently at her arms, dreading what they would say about last evening. She was beginning to think relying on a matchmaker was the equivalent of reading the end of the book before the beginning. All the adventures were still in the story, ready to be lived, but no matter how hard one tried, the ending was laid out plainly before them. And now she had tampered with fate once more and was pretending not to care for Paul and had requested to leave earlier than planned. What if she no longer wanted her parting from him to be her ending either? Especially after his heroic rescue the night before. It was all entirely too confusing.
Mrs. Sheldon reached out to touch Louisa but stopped herself. “Paul told me everything, and I came as soon as I could.”
Louisa gaped. Paul had told his own mother how he had acted the night before, like they were engaged? Was he not embarrassed or even worried about the possible repercussions?
Lady Kellen patted Mrs. Sheldon on the arm, but her words were for Louisa. “You must believe that we thought only of helping you by inviting your friends. Your brother mentioned the names of your most adamant suitors, and we thought it might...”
When Lady Kellen did not finish, Louisa could imagine the rest. “You thought a little friendly competition might prod Mr. Sheldon in the right direction.”
The matrons nodded.
Lady Kellen added, “We did not account for our guests’ characters or that they might make you uncomfortable. Ian was most incensed about the arrangement and spoke to me in great length about it this morning. Nothing like this has ever happened before, I assure you.” It was clear Lady Kellen was not one to make mistakes. Perhaps that was why Louisa noted a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes even through her apology. “Thankfully, our efforts were not for nothing. I could hardly believe what happened last night. Why, Paul has never displayed such open interest in a woman before.”
“Are you calling Paul a rake?” Mrs. Sheldon gave Lady Kellen a quelling look. “My Paul would never do anything indecent.”
“I would never insinuate such a thing about our dear Paul.” Lady Kellen patted Mrs. Sheldon on the shoulder. “I was simply astonished by his forward behavior—it was quite out of character.”
This was the turn of conversation Louisa had dreaded. The situation had been much more to her liking when she could walk away from the arrangement at any time. She did not want either her or Paul to be forced into a wedding. “Mr. Sheldon was a gentleman last night and acted a part to keep the other men at bay.” There. She’d said it. She smiled, hoping to placate any further emotions from the two.
“That’s where you are wrong, my dear.” Lady Kellen motioned for her to come away from the door and sit down.
Louisa did as directed and sat on the edge of her bed, her hand bunching the pastel quilt as a way of releasing her anxiety. No one liked being told they were wrong, but it was easy enough to believe it coming from Lady Kellen. Or maybe Louisa wanted to believe she was wrong—to instead believe Paul did harbor true affection for her.
“Do you recall when I said that every man comes with a weakness or two and you must be prepared for it?”
