Stranger in My Arms(21)

His gaze fell to her bare left hand as she picked up a morsel of bread and broke it apart. “Tell me why you’re not wearing the ring I gave you.”

Lara stared at him blankly, then felt a quick shock of realization.

“Oh, I…” She paused, stalling for time, while blood rushed to her cheeks “Where is it?” he prompted gently.

“I don’t recall exactly.

“I think you do.”

Lara nearly choked on her guilt. The ring, a carved gold band, had been the only piece of jewelry he had ever given her. “It was wrong of me, but I sold it,” she said in a rush. “I didn’t have anything else of value, and I needed the money it would bring. I had no idea that you would ever know about it, or.

“What did you need the money for? Food? Clothing?”

“Not for me, it was….. She took a deep breath and let it out in a controlled stream. “The children.

At the orphanage. There are nearly forty of them, all different ages, and they need so many things. They didn’t have enough blankets, and when I thought of the poor children shivering in their beds at night…

I couldn’t bear it. I went to Arthur and Janet, but they said… well, that doesn’t matter. The fact was, I had to do something, and the ring was of no use to me.”

She looked at him apologetically. “I didn’t know you were coming back.”

“When did your involvement with the orphanage begin?”

“Just a few months ago, when Arthur and Janet were moving into Hawksworth Hall. They asked me to take up residence in the cottage, and I-” “The title has only been theirs for two months.”

Lara shrugged. “My insistence on staying would only have delayed the inevitable. And it was good for me to live in the cottage. I’d been sheltered and insulated for my entire life. When I was compelled to move out of Hawksworth Hall and live in humbler circumstances, it opened my eyes to the needs of the people around me. The orphans, and the elderly and ill, and those who are lonely-” “I was told by more than one person today that you’d become something of the town matchmaker.”

Lara colored modestly. “I’ve only helped in two such situations.

That hardly qualifies me as a matchmaker.”

“You were also described as a busybody.”

“Busybody!” she exclaimed in indignation. “I assure you, I try never to intrude where I’m not wanted.”

“Sweet Lara.” There was a subtle flicker of enjoyment in his eyes.

“Even your own sister admits that you can’t resist trying to solve other people’s problems. One afternoon a week you spend hours reading to a blind old woman-a Mrs. Lurriley, I believe. You spend two full days at the orphanage, and another running errands for an elderly couple, and the rest of the time scheming and matchmaking, and prodding reluctant people into doing good works for others.”

Lara was astonished that Rachel would have confided such things in him.

“I wasn’t aware that it was a crime to help someone in need,” she said with as much dignity as she could marshal.

“What about your needs?”

The question was so intimate, so startling and yet unspecific, that Lara could only look at him in wideeyed confusion.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. I am fulifiled in every way. My days are filled with friends and interesting activities.”

“Don’t you ever want more?”

“If you mean have I desired to marry again, the answer is no. I have discovered that it is possible to lead a pleasant and productive life without being someone’s wife.” Some reckless inner impulse prompted her to add, “I didn’t-I don’t-like having a husband.”

His face went smooth and serious. Lara thought that he was angry with her, until he spoke in a tone filled with self-reproach. “My fault” The flash of bitterness made her uncomfortable. “It was no one’s fault,” she said. “The truth is that we don’t suit. We share none of the same interests, as you do with Lady Carlysle. Really, my lord, I think you should go to hen” “I don’t want Lady Carlysle,” he said brusquely.

Lara picked up a fork and toyed with a morsel of partridge, but her former pleasure in the food had dissipated. “I am sorry about the ring,” she said.

He waved the words away with an impatient gesture. “I’ll have another made for you.”

“There’s no need. I don’t want another.” Lara sent him a discreet but steady glare, her entire body simmering in rebellion. Now he would command and crush her into compliance. But he held her gaze and sat back in his chair, contemplating her as if he found her a fascinating puzzle.

“I’ll have to tempt you, then.”

“I have no interest in jewelry, my lord.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“If you desire to dispose of money-and I doubt that there is much left for you to spend-it would please me for you to make improvements to the orphanage.”

He glanced at her left hand, her fingers clenched around the silver fork as if it were a weapon. “The orphans are fortunate to have such a dedicated patroness. Very well, make a list of what you require for the place, and we’ll discuss it.”

Lara nodded and removed the linen napkin from her lap. “Thank you, my lord. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to retire now. “Before dessert?” He gave her a chiding glance, and grinned. “Don’t tell me you’ve lost your sweet tooth.”