Page 53 of The Lady Glass
“I would beg, would I?” She laughed again. Mr. Lewis was not at all the kind of man she was attracted to, but he was certainly a charmer. She had almost forgotten her earlier dismay.
“You cannot tell me that you wouldn’t want to hear about one Captain Rolland Reese.”
Her steps slowed. “I’m sure if he had anything he wanted to divulge, he would tell me himself.”
“Ah, but Reese is a private man. He must rely on friends like myself to clear the way for him.”
“Must he now? I daresay he would be surprised to hear that.” She almost wished she could see his reaction now. He’d act irritated but secretly be amused; she was sure of it.
Mr. Lewis chuckled and steered her through the trees toward a dirt path. “You see, when a private man is wounded”—he caught her quick stare—“yes, I know about the burn on his shoulder, despite how he tried to keep it from us. But I am not speaking of a physical wound.”
“An emotional one, then?”
Mr. Lewis inclined his head. “Rolland’s uncle was an admiral. He was also Rolland’s hero. When he died, Rolland walked away from everything, pledging to fight in his stead.”
This time she did stop walking.
“He didn’t tell you, did he?”
She shook her head. “He owes me no explanation.”
“Doesn’t he? Such absolute dedication to purpose can makeone blind to anything outside it—including friends and family.”
Was that why Rolland was willing to marry whoever his father selected? His heart’s devotion was solely for his country? Theresia didn’t know what to say, but Mr. Lewis’s words muddied her budding hopes.
Mr. Lewis slowed his steps and said softly, “I tell you this because you ought to know.”
She shook her head. “It isn’t my place to judge Captain Reese’s decisions.”
Mr. Lewis heaved a sigh. “You are too good, Lady Glass. It’s obvious to everyone that our captain cares for you. If he is standoffish, then you have a right to know why.”
Rolland’s near-engagement was a large enough stumbling block between him and Theresia, but this only complicated things further. Even so, she could not think less of him. He wasn’t blind to his family, as Mr. Lewis suggested, but selfless in his complete support of them.
Such thoughts should have silenced her heart on the matter forever, but knowing Mr. Lewis had noticed the marked attention Rolland paid to her kept a small breath of hope alive. She was having a harder time denying it herself. Despite all the odds, was it possible that Rolland did care?
“Chin up,” Mr. Lewis added, looking off into the distance. “Every once in a while, a person surprises you. It wouldn’t be the first time someone’s passion changed.”
“I won’t be holding my breath.” But that did not mean she wouldn’t be dreaming of it.
Somewhere along the way, Rolland had become very important to her.
Chapter 25
Rolland made it all theway to the house, cursed under his breath, and whirled back around. No amount of reasoning could talk him down. Once he separated Lewis and Theresia, he could think and act like a normal human being again.
Not that Theresia wasn’t perfectly safe with his friend. Lewis was a flirt, not a womanizer. No, it was Lewis who was in danger. Rolland wasn’t the jealous type, but where Theresia was concerned, there was no expecting him to have a rational mindset. After a few minutes of wide strides, he knew he had to be close. Pushing through the trees to avoid the picnickers, he finally came up behind Theresia and Lewis. At the sight of them, he hesitated. What was his strategy?
This wasn’t a decision to marry her or anything life changing, so he couldn’t barge in like some crazed lunatic. All he wanted was to be the one to walk beside her and ease her anxiety. Lewis was probably spilling useless tales about treasure and making things far worse anyway. His plan would be simple: get rid of Lewis.
“Lewis!” he called without another moment’s hesitation.
Lewis turned back and smiled. “Did you get lonely without us?”
“Very,” he growled under his breath. “I didn’t have it in me to save Miss Yearsley from Lord Vernon. I’m requesting your help.”
“And you’ll accompany Lady Glass in my place?” Lewis’s knowing grin only irked Rolland more.
“Naturally.” He avoided Theresia’s gaze until Lewis acquiesced and retreated. Once he disappeared through the trees, Rolland swung his head toward her.
