Betting on a Lady's Heart: Sweet and Clean Regency Romance (His Majesty's Hounds Book 14) by Arietta Richmond

Author:Arietta Richmond [Richmond, Arietta]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dreamstone Publishing
Published: 2018-08-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Gervaise was distraught. For some days now, Miss Weston had refused to see him – well, perhaps refused was the wrong word. She had been otherwise engaged, had been unwell or similar, each time he had called. He had discovered, as a result, just how strongly he felt about her.

Spending days on end without her company for any part of that time had dimmed his world. He could not stop thinking of her – not even at the card tables, which he had visited twice in quick succession. He was beginning to suspect that he cared for her more than he had ever cared for any woman – even though that thought was rather frightening, in some ways.

Today, he was determined to see her. He could bear it no longer – he had to know if she was truly rejecting him, or if something else was the cause. Upon arrival at the Weston residence, he approached the door and knocked firmly, whilst casting up a silent prayer that she be home.

The door opened.

“Good day. Is Miss Weston in?”

Abby, the maid, looked at him for a moment, as if considering something, then nodded.

“She is, my Lord. She is in the parlour. Follow me, please.”

He wondered what that pause for thought meant, but was happy to at least have a chance to see Miss Weston. Abby opened the door, announced him, and once the door was closed behind them, took herself into the far corner of the room, to allow them the illusion of privacy.

Miss Weston stood as he entered, looking startled. She cast a stern glance at Abby, then her face smoothed to the perfect image of politeness as she turned back to Gervaise.

“My Lord. I did not expect you.”

“Miss Weston, I have wished to speak with you, to spend time with you, this last week, but always, there has been a reason why you were not available. I hope that you will forgive my forthrightness, but I must ask – have I done something to displease you?”

Her expression changed for a moment, a great sadness seeming to possess her, before the polite smile returned.

“My Lord, I will be equally forthright – I am not certain. Shall we walk in the gardens, and continue this conversation there?”

Gervaise was shaken by her words – for if she was not certain, then that meant that there was something. A curl of fear settled into him – could it be that his gambling had stolen yet another thing from him?

He offered his arm, and they made their way out of the house, the maid trailing after them. The gardens were, as ever, peaceful, and the scent of the flowers somehow eased his distress a little. As they walked towards the pond, he spoke again, unable to bear the silence.

“Miss Weston, please, explain to me what you are uncertain of, what have I done, or not done, to disturb you?”

“My Lord, I find myself unsure what to believe. I admit that I find your company pleasant.

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