Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(63)
A hand reached out and stroked her shoulder. “I do not think so—although it is hard to be sure without knowing exactly what has happened between you.”
“Nothing irrevocable,” she murmured quietly. “He seems content to stay within some boundaries.”
“He is more honorable than I would have thought.”
That brought another bitter laugh. “Or he just does not care enough—or he does not wish to be trapped. He has made it clear that he has no interest in marriage, at least not to me.”
“I am sorry.”
She attempted a smile. “Well, there are plenty of other men.”
Bliss did not answer, but the look in her eyes said much.
“I do wish I knew my own heart,” Angela said after a moment. “It is hard to know what to do when I am not sure what I want.”
—
She had managed to avoid everyone but Bliss for most of the day, but now it was time for dinner. Angela thought about claiming she was still ill but sensed her mother would not grant her another evening of freedom so easily.
Walking to the mirror, she stared into it. The dress of deep emerald clung to her curves perfectly. The single pearl pendant hung deep in her cleavage, drawing the eye. Even to her own eyes, she looked tempting, a delight laid out for a young man’s desire. If only she felt as well on the interior. A day ago she would have rejoiced in the picture she presented, would have anticipated Colton’s reaction; now she would have been just as happy dressed for mourning.
She picked up her paisley shawl and wrapped it about her shoulders and upper chest. A deep chill had taken her, and she was unsure if it was the coming night air or the confusion and pain that still roiled within her.
Well, there could be no helping it. Some things must be faced—and Colton was one of them.
She steeled herself and walked through the door and down the stairs. Perhaps she would be lucky and he would not come. She’d heard he had failed to attend the previous night’s meal.
The first person she saw as she descended the stairs was Lord Thorton. Of course. She pushed her cheeks up in a smile, already planning how to avoid a long conversation.
“My dear Miss Ripon, I am so glad to see you are recovered,” he said, his eyes running over her dress. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll take a chill in such a flimsy affair? Is that shawl enough?”
“It is what my mother packed. Do you question her taste?”
“It is more that I know you were not well last night. Perhaps you should have heeded my advice and not gone wandering out after our own stroll. I did warn you not to overdo it.” There was something odd about his tone and his glance, which was far more forward than it had been the day before.
“Perhaps you are right. I would admit that my walk was not as pleasurable as I had expected.” Although that was not strictly true. The walk had been pleasurable enough; it was what came after that still left her shaken and unsure.
“No, and I thought you loved to…to walk.”
Why did Thorton sound so strange? It was as if his every word had an extra meaning, a meaning she could not possibly understand. “Yes, I do enjoy the air on most occasions.”
“But not yesterday afternoon. You seemed in quite good spirits when we walked. I was therefore surprised when I saw you head out later. If you had desired to stroll through the woods, I would have been pleased to be your partner. Dangerous things can happen to a young lady who walks unescorted.”
Had he followed her? Is that why he sounded so strange? Had he seen her with Colton? The thought circled her mind and was then dismissed. Surely she would have noticed if she was followed, and Thorton was not a man who would have held his silence. She was sure that everyone in the house would know by now if he’d seen her.
Was it possible that they did? For a moment, fear took her. What had she missed by hiding in her room for most of the day?
No. She would not think that way. If rumors were rife, her mother would have told her—and so would Lady Perse. “I assure you, Lord Thorton, that I felt no danger.”
“So your walk was not upsetting? You did say you had not found pleasure in it.”
“Is my stroll about the grounds really of such concern?”
He took a step back. “I find all things to be my concern—as they should be to any gentleman. Do you disagree that we are all responsible for our fellow man?”
She forced another smile. “I would say rather that I am too hungry and too thirsty for such a discussion. Perhaps after dinner we will return to it.” Although she would do everything in her power to avoid such a happening.
“Oh, there you are, dear,” her mother said, gliding toward them. “You do look so much better. I am glad to see some color in your cheeks. You looked most dreadful last night. I was quite worried you had truly taken a chill.” She turned to Lord Thorton. “You should not have kept her out so long. Surely you must have noticed all was not right with her.”
“No, Miss Ripon seemed quite fine when she was with me. Her illness must have come upon her later in the day.” Again he gave her a strange look.
“I suppose you may be right—although my daughter did retire immediately after she returned with you. She seemed quite eager to rest.”
This time there was no mistaking Thorton’s expression. He knew very well that she had not retired to her room. Would he say something? It was a chance she could not take. “Actually, Mother, I am afraid I went for another stroll instead. I did mean to rest, but my headache was beginning and the room seemed stifling.”