Page 55 of Bargaining for the Barrister
“I, ah...” She was saved from saying anything when Lord Reynolds opened the front door and started to enter. He paused when he saw them and turned to exit once again. Oh no, he wasn’t going to abandon Louisa this time. “Lord Reynolds!”
He reluctantly widened the door and faced her with a sigh. “Yes, Miss Cox?”
“As you can see, I am ready for that ride.”
Geraldine huffed. “You cannot seriously be riding twice in one day.”
Louisa smiled at her. “Did I not tell you how much I love to ride?” In truth, she did not ride often at home any longer since she preferred to ride with someone and was often alone, and her hips were already sore from their ride earlier. “Lord Reynolds promised to take me to the upper pond today, didn’t you?” She pleaded with her eyes, but Lord Reynolds did not look the least likely to play along.
“Tomorrow, perhaps?” he suggested.
Geraldine stepped closer to him. “Tomorrow would be lovely. I could join you at say, ten o’clock?”
Lord Reynolds visibly gulped. “Actually, right now would be better. Don’t dawdle, Miss Cox.”
“I never dawdle,” Louisa said, brushing past Geraldine, and soon they shut the door on her complaints. Outside the cloud cover had darkened, and Louisa guessed that by nightfall there would be rain.
Lord Reynolds gave her a dry look and shook his head. “Don’t expect me to rescue you again from her company tomorrow.” He turned to head dutifully toward the stables.
“Believe it or not, I was looking for you before Geraldine discovered me. Your mother has left to another club meeting.”
Lord Reynolds stopped before descending the stairs. “When did she leave?”
“A quarter of an hour ago? I had to change before I could ride.”
“Blast.” He motioned for her to hurry. “I have an idea, but we’ll need Paul’s help.”
Chapter 25
A footman stopped at Paul’sbedchamber to report that Mortimer was waiting for him in the library. Paul picked up a letter he had finished composing to Mr. Davies and handed it to his valet. “Will you see that this gets delivered when you’re through?”
“Yes, sir.” His valet put down the boot he’d been polishing and accepted the folded paper.
Paul left his bedchamber and jogged down the staircase, preparing himself for whatever emotions Mortimer had in store for him. He hadn’t been prepared to see Mortimer’s hair mussed, his neck absent of a cravat, and his eyes clearly sleep-deprived. His friend sat on the floor with his head tipped against the side of the sofa.
“Is this part of a ruse to convince me of your plea?”
Mortimer extended his hand for Paul to aid him in standing, but Paul folded his arms across his chest and ignored the silent request. With a sigh, Mortimer dropped his hand and climbed to his feet.
“Nettie has abandoned me. Left me day before yesterday to stay with her cousin Bridget.”
Paul stared at him. “I know the cousin you speak of. Doesn’t she live two houses down from you?”
Mortimer’s lifeless expression changed to one of frustration. “What difference does that make?”
“Forgive me. This must be very hard for you.” Paul directed his friend to sit across from him on the sofa. “Does this mean you’ve given up on the divorce?”
Mortimer shrugged. “I don’t know anything anymore.”
Paul sighed. “Did you bring the second list?”
“Can’t you tell I’ve had far more important things on my mind?” Mortimer pulled at his hair, demonstrating how it had managed to stick up at such odd angles. “I cannot manage to make her happy, and she doesn’t make me happy. Can’t you see how I’ve suffered?”
There was no denying the pain in his friend’s eyes. Paul thought of Louisa, how she smiled through her hurt. That woman was one of a kind. “Let me get you started on your list. With Nettie gone, what do you miss about her?”
“Not the yelling, and that’s the blasted truth.”
“You’re tired,” Paul offered. “Surely having Nettie home helped you sleep better.”
