Page 86 of When the Viscount Seduces
“Where are you going?” he snapped as she reached the door.
“I’m leaving before someone says something they wish they hadn’t. I implore you both to consider me and my feelings. I have found a wonderful man whom I love and who loves me in return.I will be a viscountess, but more importantly, I will be cherished and adored. Isn’t that what you want most for me?”
They both stared at her, their mouths clamped shut. Gwen turned and left before she started to cry. She had no time for tears or self-pity. Besides, there was no reason to pity herself, not when she was on the verge of true happiness with the man she loved.
Sniffing, she hurried to fetch her things so she could call on Miss Worsley. It was time for the young woman to abandon her deceitful scheme to snare Lazarus and let true love win out.
CHAPTER 20
Lazarus stood with Mr. Nott in the Worsleys’ drawing room awaiting the arrival of Mrs. Worsley. He hadn’t accepted the butler’s response that she was not receiving. Rather, Lazarus had stalked inside, thrown his title at the butler, and said it was a matter of great import.
The butler had shown him to the drawing room with alacrity.
Nott stood off to the side looking even more nervous than he had when Lazarus had burst in on him earlier. “Is this where you met with Mrs. Worsley yesterday?” Lazarus asked.
“No,” Nott replied. “I am not a viscount. I was not permitted past the entrance hall. It took me far more persuasion to obtain an audience.”
Lazarus arched a brow. “Persuasion or threats?” He supposed it was the latter, else why would Mrs. Worsley have agreed to see him at all?
Nott looked down at the floor instead of responding.
Mrs. Worsley swept into the drawing room a moment later. Her gaze landed on Nott first. “What are you doing here again?” Then she saw Lazarus standing more toward the center of the room. “Did you come together?”
“We did,” Lazarus said benignly. “We had an informative chat earlier, and I invited him to accompany me. I do realize you paid him not to speak to me, but I paid him more.”
She sucked a breath, her cheeks flushing bright pink. “I can’t think why you would bring him here. Haven’t you come to propose to Melissa?”
“Absolutely not.” How Lazarus delighted in saying that. “I’m amused that you would think so given what Mr. Nott knows. Or did you think I’d brought him along for some other reason? Perhaps we’re friends.” He laughed and noted that Nott had to stifle a smirk.
Lazarus sobered as he gave in to his anger at this woman’s machinations and continued belligerence. “I am not here to propose marriage to your daughter, because I am not the father of her child. That man is a dancing master called Tremblay, a fact of which you are fully aware.”
She glared at him, but said nothing.
“Where is he?” Lazarus asked softly. “I and others have sought him out, but he is nowhere to be found.”
“I’m sure I don’t know. You’ve concocted this entire story. You say you paid this man. Did you pay him to lie and say this dancing master is the father of Melissa’s child?”
“I am weary of your schemes,” Lazarus said loudly, his patience razor thin. “You surely know that Mr. Nott here is—or was—Tremblay’s musician assistant. You are also, I hope, completely aware that Tremblay carried on an affair with your daughter while he was her dancing master.” He advanced on her. “I know you dismissed him and paid him to keep silent about what transpired between him and your daughter. What I don’t know is why you decided to pin the blame of your daughter’s circumstances on me.”
She opened her mouth, but Lazarus went on, “And don’t think to deny anything. Please recall that I have Mr. Nott as mywitness, and he is prepared to tell your husband and your father, Lord Haverstock, the truth.”
The color drained from her face. “You would see my daughter ruined,” she whispered brokenly.
“I am not inconsiderate of your daughter’s troubles, Mrs. Worsley, but involving me was not the way to solve them.” Lazarus truly felt for the girl, especially with a calculating mother such as Mrs. Worsley. “I expect to not ever hear from you or her again. I do wish you all the best of luck.”
Lazarus inclined his head toward Nott and walked around Mrs. Worsley to the door. He did not look back as he made his way to the staircase.
“That was most impressive,” Nott said as they descended. “I didn’t even have to say anything.”
“Your presence alone was enough,” Lazarus said. “I owe you a letter.” Which he could not write without considerable effort.Dammit.
They moved from the staircase hall to the entrance hall, and Lazarus stopped short. Standing in the center was Gwen. Her lips curved in a happy smile upon seeing him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, moving toward her. He was so glad to see her and couldn’t wait to tell her that their path forward was entirely clear.
Well, he hoped it was clear. He wondered if she had news about her proposed marriage to Markwith.
“I came to speak with Miss Worsley,” Gwen replied. “I have just informed my parents that I will be marrying you, and it became apparent that I needed to remove the other obstacle in our way—Miss Worsley’s outrageous claim. I was hoping that if I tell her that you and I are in love, she will give up on her ploy.”
