Earl of Scandal (London Lords) by Gillgannon Mary

Author:Gillgannon, Mary [Gillgannon, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: London Lords, regency romance
Published: 2012-07-08T21:00:00+00:00

Ten

“Merissa! Where have you been?” Elizabeth called out as Merissa drove the wagon into the yard.

Merissa resisted the urge to turn the vehicle around and speed away. The last thing she desired was to face Elizabeth. She wanted desperately to be alone.

Reluctantly, she pulled the wagon to a halt beside the barn. Elizabeth came rushing up. She still wore her apron, and her hair was up in a mob cap. “While you were gone, a note arrived from Lord Bedlington.” She waved a packet excitedly. “Aren’t you going to open it and see what he has to say?”

Merissa felt her heart turn to stone. She didn’t want to read the note. She couldn’t bear to face that devastating pain once more. Christian didn’t want her. He’d been very careful how he told her, treated her as if she were a half-witted, helpless ninny, but the fact of his rejection remained.

“It might be good news.” Elizabeth’s voice bubbled with excitement. What did she think, that Christian was going to propose marriage? What a jest! He didn’t even desire to spend one night with her, let alone a lifetime.

Sighing, Merissa tied the reins to the rail, then climbed down and took the packet from her sister.

There was no help for it. She’d have to open the missive or Elizabeth would never leave her alone.

She broke the wafer and unfolded the note. It was very short. A few words written in surprisingly refined and elegant script: Dear Merissa, I’m very sorry about last night. Christian.

The writing blurred before her eyes. If she’d received this before her conversation with Christian, she might have been left with a shred of pride. But now she knew without a doubt that not only did he have no further interest in her, he obviously regretted what had already transpired between them.

“Well, what does he say?”

Merissa forced herself to answer. “He says he’s sorry. No doubt he’s apologizing for the rudeness of his friends last night.”

“I don’t know why he should apologize. He was the model of good manners. And I’m not certain you could call most of those people at the party his friends. He didn’t seem to spend much time with either the local gentry or the other guests from London. I don’t think he even much likes them.”

“But they are his kind,” Merissa spat out. “A bunch of stuck-up, haughty swells.”

“Merissa!” Elizabeth shook her head, frowning. “What’s gotten in to you? Lord Bedlington behaved as the absolute model of consideration and charm. How can you speak so unkindly of him?”

Merissa pressed her lips together. She’d better watch what she said or Elizabeth would guess that more had gone on between her and Christian than simply dancing or talking. “I suppose I’m just out of sorts because of poor Charles’ predicament. I went for a drive to clear my head, but it didn’t help.”

“Oh, yes, Charles.” Elizabeth sighed. “Well, while you were gone, I did try to think of what we should do. The fact is, I do know where some money is, although I don’t know if it will be enough.

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