Page 51 of When the Viscount Seduces
She was disappointed that she would never find out.
CHAPTER 11
“What do you think, Somerton?” Shefford asked from across the table at the Siren’s Call.
Lazarus had no idea what they were discussing. He’d been consumed by thoughts of Gwen, as had been the case for the past day since he’d completely ended their association.
“He’s off in the forest again,” Price said in a stage whisper that Lazarus was clearly meant to hear.
“What’s troubling you tonight?” Keele asked.
There was no way Lazarus would tell them the truth, especially with Price sitting to his left. “Just thinking about estate matters and preparing for the speech I’ll be giving next week.”
“Yes, I’m keen to hear what you’ll be saying about our returning soldiers and their plight,” Keele said. “It’s an important issue that requires more investigation and discussion.”
Lazarus nodded vaguely, hoping Keele wasn’t going to engage him on the topic right now. He wasn’t in the mood for political conversation. Or any conversation, really. He ought to just go home.
What he really needed to do was stop moping about and focus on his reading. He’d made good progress with Gwen, and there was no reason he couldn’t continue, especially if she sent him exercises to further his improvement. His chest lightened a bit as he considered that their association wasn’t entirely over, not if she sent him things to work on.
How pathetic that he would cling to such a paltry connection between them.
Perhaps a visit to the Rogue’s Den would help him put thoughts of Gwen out of his mind. Except his fixation on her was not entirely due to physical desire. He had plenty of that, but he also just liked being with her. She gave him confidence and made him feel that his reading problem was not a deficiency.
“I think I’m going to retire,” Lazarus announced. He lifted his tankard to finish his ale, then set it back on the table.
“So early?” Shefford asked. He scrutinized Lazarus a long moment. “What is going on with you of late? You don’t spend as much time with us as you used to. Have you struck up a liaison with someone?”
Lazarus was glad he’d swallowed his ale, or he might have choked. “No. I’ve just been busy.”
“Not everyone requires near-constant female companionship,” Keele said sardonically, eyeing Shefford.
“It isn’t near constant,” Shefford muttered before taking a drink of ale.
Rising, Lazarus looked around the table. “Have a good evening and behave yourselves. Not you, Keele. You wouldn’t know how to misbehave.”
“Not true. I know how. I simply choose not to.” The marquess smirked.
Chuckling, Lazarus moved toward the entrance area. Jo was there and watched him approach.
“Leaving already?” she asked.
“You sound like them.”
“It’s a valid question. You have been, dare I say,sedatein your behavior recently,” Jo observed. “Your reckless kissing with a young lady at a literary salon notwithstanding.”
“Well, you can be assured there will be no more of that,” he said darkly.
“I’m pleased to hear you have mastered your impulses.”
Hardly. “I have removed temptation. Miss Price and I are no longer associated in any way. I don’t expect I’ll ever speak with her again.” Saying that made the pain of their parting sharper. It would be some time, he realized, before he would feel like himself. But perhaps the man he’d been before he’d come to know Gwen was gone forever. Only time would give him the answer.
“It sounds as if you aren’t pleased by that,” Jo said softly. “Is there a chance you care for her?”
“We had become friends, so yes, I care for her. I hope she is able to find the husband she deserves.”
“And what kind of man is that?” Jo asked.
Lazarus did not want to contemplate who would make Gwen happy. He just knew it wouldn’t be a rogue like him. “Someone intelligent and proper, who will hold her in the highest regard.”
