Harlequin Historical August 2016--Box Set 1 of 2 by Marguerite Kaye

Author:Marguerite Kaye
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488006340
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Marianne sat at the pianoforte at Welton Place, trying to reclaim the flow of the music, to allow it to carry her away like it usually did, but she couldn’t. It had been a full day since Warren’s brother-in-law had stumbled in on her and Warren at the Érard. Every time she passed a clutch of whispering maids, she wondered if they were talking about her. She was sure any moment now the rumours about her and Warren would begin, followed by Lord Falconbridge demanding an explanation.

She glanced at the garden where Walker was raking leaves, considering a walk, anything to settle the nervousness making her tap her foot against the floor. Potential gossip wasn’t the only thing making her want to stride out of the French doors. She’d sent a note to Warren first thing this morning to tell him she wouldn’t come today. She hadn’t gone as far as to end their arrangement, nor had she offered a reason for her absence. After yesterday, she hardly thought one was necessary.

She’d heard nothing from Warren in response. He hadn’t sent her a note, come to call or, at the very least, sent his mother for tea. Maybe he’d at last decided she was more of a detriment to him than an asset and it was best to distance himself from her. After all, he had a reputation to protect too. Her chest constricted at the thought, making her fingers clumsy on the keys when she attempted to play again. He was going to turn his back on her like everyone else. She’d been a fool to grow close to him, to reveal so much and to believe it would make a difference.

‘Are you still here, my dear?’ Lady Ellington strolled through the room on her way out to the garden to oversee the pruning of her roses. ‘Isn’t Sir Warren expecting you?’

‘I don’t feel like going to Priorton today.’

‘Did something happen when you were last there?’ Lady Ellington perched her elbow on the edge of the pianoforte.

‘No.’ She couldn’t tell Lady Ellington about the kiss, not because the woman would dance with glee, but because she feared a completely different reaction.

‘Marianne?’ Lady Ellington pressed, increasing Marianne’s guilt over her lack of faith in her friend. Lady Ellington had always believed in her, she shouldn’t doubt her faith now.

Marianne stopped playing and picked at a small imperfection in one of the white keys ‘Yes, something did happen.’

Lady Ellington stood over Marianne and listened as she told her about the brother-in-law and his coming in on them alone together and insulting her. Marianne omitted the kiss, but given the scrutinising tilt of Lady Ellington’s head, it was clear she suspected something more than the two of them performing a duet. If she minded or was disappointed in Marianne for having been so weak with Warren, it was difficult to discern.

‘He stood up for you against a man related to him by marriage. It says a great deal about Sir Warren’s regard for you,’ Lady Ellington observed.

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