Becoming Lady Dalton by Carrie Lomax

Author:Carrie Lomax
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carrie Lomax

17

Piers hated the way helplessness crawled through him when Viola pulled away. He’d gone too far, but she didn’t seem angry. She looked sad and fearful. He’d give anything to take back that damned kiss. They finished the museum visit with a stop by the real Rosetta Stone. Viola stared longingly at the key to unlocking a world of knowledge. The children were unimpressed and restless.

“We ought to go,” he said gently.

“Yes. Yes, of course.” Viola shook herself out of her trance.

“Can we offer you a ride back to Baroness Landor’s?”

Viola hesitated. Her lashes raised and lowered like curtains over her thoughts. “I’ve an errand to run. I would appreciate it if you’d drop Matthew home.”

“Draperies?” Piers guessed.

“Yes,” Viola confirmed too quickly.

“Choose the satin, if you like it better. Brocade is harder to match with,” Piers offered. If she’d preferred the brocade, he would have advised the opposite. He wouldn’t care if she dressed the place like a bawdy house as long as she was happy. Knowing Edward, he only wanted not to be bothered with choices.

“Wise advice. Thank you, Lord Dalton. For…everything. Especially for this afternoon.”

He couldn’t unhear the finality of Viola’s thank you.

“I shall take the children outside to run off this energy in the courtyard,” interrupted a harried Miss Townsend.

“Greatly appreciated, Miss Townsend.” He turned back to Viola. “I apologize for kissing you in the library.”

“Don’t, Piers. Please.” She lifted one gloved hand. With the other, she pulled her mantle tight beneath her chin. “It was a wonderful afternoon. Including the kiss. But please understand that I can’t let you court me, much less ever offer marriage. My response will always be no. I was flippant in pressing you to court Lady Margaret. If you do not suit, I shall never press the matter again.”

Piers shuffled his shoes over the polished stone floors. “I admit I am unaccustomed to this much rejection from the fairer sex. First Lady Margaret, then you. It’s enough to unman a … gentleman.”

“I daresay London will be filled with fresh faces in a month or two, and you shall have your pick of admirers. You shall have your heir, Lord Dalton. Good day.”

Despite her customary lightness, Piers detected sadness in her eyes as she straightened her back and swept out the front entrance of Montagu House.

As though she were fighting demons he couldn’t see.

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