Page 54 of Playing the Scoundrel

Chapter Twenty-Four

Any time spent in Mrs. Dunn’s townhouse was time well spent, in Henry’s humble opinion. It provided him opportunity to enjoy Miss Follett’s company, as well as Mrs. Dunn’s crackling attitude while he could. He was certain all their futures would soon change, so he needed to cherish the moments like these with the few friends he had left.

In fact, he had even brought a present to solidify these friendships, but he hadn’t found quite the moment to make the reveal. As the dinner died down and the conversations eased, Henry let out a sigh.

“An exquisite meal. Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Dunn.”

“Well, I hope that means you’ll continue to come around, despite this young tart’s best efforts.”

Henry’s mouth dropped open. “I’m not sure what you mean by that.”

“You needn’t pretend on my account, young man,” Mrs. Dunn said, making Henry raise his eyebrows.

“Mrs. Dunn is fully aware of my misdeeds where you’re concerned,” Miss Follett explained. “You weren’t the only one seeking mercy at the church that day.”

“She was properly miserable with guilt,” Mrs. Dunn said with a knowing nod.

But Miss Follett simply shrugged. “It was a terrible thing to do, thinking that by ruining the life of one gentleman, I could change the whole of society at large. Though I felt justified at the time, looking back on it has only filled me with regret. I never should have spoken so to you or acted as I did.”

“Is that so?” Henry asked in surprise. “You never actually did apologize, and it made me wonder if you truly were sorry for it.”

Her face contorted in a sad smile, acknowledging the truth. She’d said nearly every variation of the emotion without actually stating the words. “I am, Mr. Godwin. Very sorry. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.”

Her words were now straightforward, her brown eyes soft and pleading. When confronted with the notion, it made him pause. Could he really forgive her? He had long given up on his revenge, but could he forgive how she’d treated him? The answer came easily, willingly: of course he could.

Overwhelmed by the simplicity, Mr. Godwin inhaled and let out a deep breath and said, “I forgive you, Miss Follett.”

Her concern melted into a smile, the candlelight flickering in her eyes like magic, and as if it hadn’t already been before, it filled his heart with only her. “Thank you.”

“In that case,” Henry paused, clapping his hands together loudly, “Humphrey, please bring it in!”

Mrs. Dunn looked up with narrowed eyes. “Bring what in?”

The doors to the dining room opened, and the butler appeared with a large rectangle case.

“What’s this?” Miss Follett asked curiously.

“A present for you and Mrs. Dunn.” Henry stood to go help the butler but paused to lean over her shoulder. “It’s only acceptable in society if addressed to both of you, but in truth, it’s just for you.”

She returned his conspiratorial smile, then stood to join him. “And what would have happened if I hadn’t apologized?”

Henry laughed out loud. “I would have given it to you anyway. Who am I to deny you anything?”

She flushed and looked away, but she didn’t know that was the reality of it. Were he still of the mind that she should be ruined for hurting him so intentionally, this would have been the perfect opportunity to ensure her heart’s complete destruction; earn her trust, play to her weaknesses and then twist the knife. But at this point, he’d long given up on his plot for revenge, and instead found this gift was more his pursuit of doing anything to see her smile, to make her happy.

What a damned fool love had made of him.

“Now!” He patted the box. “Before she died, my mother was a well-studied woman. When she did not have the worries that life had dealt her, she was fascinated by science and history just as you are.” He glanced at her, and there was no denying the appreciative grin on her face. “She tried to gain my interest, and her love of Greek and Roman history is not lost on me, though not at a level that would rival yours.”

“That explains why you found me at the museum that day.”

Henry wanted to laugh, for he could not admit that it was her presence alone that had found him at that museum. “Perhaps. But I remember standing by her feet as a child when she used this.” He placed his hand on the box. “It’s been gathering dust for many years in my father’s attic, but now that…” Henry shook his head. “I decided it’s time this device had a new life, and since I have no use for it, I gift it to the both of you.”

Opening the lid, Henry’s heart pounded in delight as sheer joy erupted across her face, jaw dropping in shock.

“Is that…?” She stepped forward

“It’s not any new fancy model, but––”

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