A Sense of Paradise: Perceptions Vol 8 by Wendy Soliman

Author:Wendy Soliman [Soliman, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-03T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Eloise smiled at Louis as he helped her into his hired curricle, insisting upon delivering her to Miss Latimer’s cottage despite the fact that he had a train to catch.

‘I do not know how I would have managed in this strange country without your help, my friend,’ she said, touching his hand.

Louis nodded as he drove away from the Stag and Hounds’ mews. ‘I think you hoped for a warmer welcome,’ he replied, not looking at her.

‘If you are suggesting that I hoped seeing me again would stir something in Archie, to make him realise what he had given up, then yes, I suppose I did.’ She gave a careless little wave that probably failed to disguise the level of her hurt and humiliation. ‘You warned me not to get my hopes up but I was too stubborn to listen. I have been very selfish, non? I should be thinking only of Maurice.’

‘Maurice is tougher than you give him credit for being. I am sure that no lasting harm will come to him. For all we know, he may already be back in France, wondering what all the fuss was about.’

‘He would not have returned without at least trying to see Archie, his idol. Besides, if Lord Avery is as manipulative as Archie implied, then I cannot help worrying that Maurice is being used for reasons I fail to comprehend.’ She tapped her fingers against her thigh in a state of heightened agitation. ‘I just wish I knew what that reason could be.’

‘You were Lord Avery’s first choice, and you had the good sense to reject him.’

Eloise twitched her nose. ‘Lord Avery’s ardour cooled when he realised that I had no money and was unwilling to share his bed. No, this is about Archie; I am convinced of it.’

Louis grunted. ‘He is more than capable of protecting his own interests. You should return to France with me, where you will not be able to make a fool of yourself—’

‘A fool of myself?’ Eloise’s head snapped round. ‘Whatever do you mean?’

‘You know what I mean. You lose all sense of perception when you are anywhere near Felsham. No man wants a woman who makes herself too available.’

‘He did once,’ Eloise replied, tossing her head, refusing to acknowledge the truth behind Louis’s words, wondering why he was being so deliberately brutal.

‘You were a distraction when he was stranded in France, unable to move very much. Now he is back in England and in possession of his vast estate. He has made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t want you anymore. He told you as much, to be fair to him, before he left France.’

‘Yes, I know, but—’

‘Come back with me with your dignity intact, and leave Felsham to find Maurice and send him home.’ Louis glanced at the stubborn set to Eloise’s features and shook his head. ‘I don’t know why I bother. I am wasting my breath. You are obsessed with the man and nothing I say will alter that situation.

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