Nothing But Time by Sherry Ewing

Author:Sherry Ewing [Ewing, Sherry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-9971777-8-7
Publisher: Kingsburg Press

Chapter 19

Gwendolyn clutched at Neville’s arm as though he was the only person capable of supporting her. They stood together in Hartford’s study. Her brother paced back and forth before the hearth, his cravat untied, his hair a mess. For the first time Gwendolyn could remember since her brother had inherited the title from their father, he was not immaculately attired and seemingly in control.

Brandon sat in a chair with a brandy in one hand, the other holding his head. One look into his eyes and she could see he was sorry for being here with Hartford, and not just for the trouble he had undoubtedly had in explaining his part in this whole sorry situation of theirs. She knew her younger brother well. It was not hard to figure out that he had planned hers and Neville’s encounter in the park. Yet, she was thankful for his interference and would tell him directly just as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

She waited for Hartford’s anger to erupt. She did not have long to wait.

“Damn it, Gwendolyn. What the hell were you thinking? Brandon and I were sick with worry not knowing your whereabouts. And the fright you have given mother! How could you worry her like that?” Hartford shook his head in disgust before striding swiftly to his desk to grab an empty crystal glass. He thrust the cup toward his brother who took the nearby decanter and filled alcohol to the rim.

She watched Hartford drink part of his brandy and slam the glass down onto the mantle of the fireplace before she answered. “I am not sorry,” she declared with a lift of her chin.

Neville stepped forward. “Hartford, if we can speak privately I─”

Hartford crossed the distance of the room faster than Gwendolyn thought possible. He grabbed at Neville’s neck cloth bringing them nose to nose. “How dare you compromise my sister and in my own bloody house,” he roared, his face turning an unsightly shade of red.

“Edmond, no!” Gwendolyn screamed, trying to put herself between the two men but to no avail.

Neville put up his hands. “I will not fight you, Your Grace.”

“The hell you will not. I demand satisfaction for what you have done to my sister.” Edmond took a firmer hold on Neville’s neck cloth, giving him a shake, before Brandon came to pull the two apart.

“Leave him be, Edmond. Whatever has happened between them cannot be undone,” Brandon urged, filling another glass and offering the drink to Neville.

Edmond turned on Brandon, his voice arctic cold. “Why do I have the distinct feeling in my gut that you know what has been going on with these two?”

Brandon shrugged. “She was unhappy. I could see for myself Drayton could change that. If you but care to get your head out of your ass, you would see for yourself they love one another.”

“But she is already married!” Edmond bellowed.

“And whose fault is that?” Gwendolyn hissed. “I will never love Sandhurst.” Standing between her two brothers, she nodded to Brandon who returned to his chair by the fire.

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