Gentlemen Prefer Spinsters (Spinsters Club #1)(57)

Harcourt studied her and shook his head. “I think I would rather remain here.” He sank down onto the bench beside her.

“I am fine, really.”

He shook his head. “You nearly fainted, Arabella. Merry would have my head if I let you swoon and harm yourself.”

Arabella smiled softly at the mention of their mutual friend. “I’m not so sure about that.”

He wanted to ask what she meant by that but could not quite find it in himself to quiz a poorly woman. “Is it the heat?” he asked, though the day was hardly the warmest of the summer, but with all these stays ladies wore, who knew when one of them might go fainting on one?

“No. It’s...well, it was silly.”

“Nearly fainting is not silly.”

She glanced at him. “Many men would say fainting is very silly.”

“Faux fainting is silly indeed, especially when it is intended to garner the attention of a man. That was no fake swoon, however.”

Pressing her lips together, she fingered the ribbon trailing down her skirt. “I thought I saw someone. From my past. He should be returning soon, and I am horribly aware of that.” She gave a little trill of a laugh. “The poor man has no idea how he might affect me either. He is just here to tend to his mother.”

“He has not harmed you? Because if he has...”

She shook her head quickly. “No. It was not him. it was his brother. But I am fearful of his return. It will bring it all back you see.”

“I see.”

“I am sure this all sounds foolish indeed.”

“Not at all. If a man mistreated you—”

“He ruined me.” The words came out quickly, on a whisper. Harcourt managed to keep his expression neutral as her eyes widened. “Forgive me, I should not have said such a thing.”

“I hope you do not think I am an indiscrete man, Arabella.”

She peered up at him. “I have shocked you?”

He laughed. “Not at all. Being in the center of London society exposed me to enough gossip to last a lifetime. I am not so easily shocked.”

“He promised me marriage you see. And I thought for so long that he would come back and marry me. But I was a fool.”

Harcourt curled a fist. “He was a cad.”

“Yes. I know that now.” She gave a faint smile. “Please, you must not neglect your guests any longer on my behalf.”

“I would not leave you in such a state.”

“I just need a moment,” she insisted.

Harcourt stood. “Very well, but if you need anything...”

“Thank you, my lord. I can see why you and Merry are such firm friends.”

He did not mention that he was not even sure if they were that, especially when his gaze caught on something. Or someone. Finally rid of the black and gray that did nothing for her, Merry moved through the crowds, a delicate splash of lilac that had his gut clenching at the sight of her. He watched her approach her brother. His heart ached.

He understood it now, why Merry had been so wary of him. He might not have ever abandoned a woman after taking her innocence, but the gossip columns did not care much about how honorable he was and paid far more attention to the quantity of ladies he had bedded. He likely did not seem much better than the rogue who had taken Arabella’s innocence and clearly left her still shaken. He still could not quite get past the annoyance that she had misjudged him so, however.

He turned on his heel and headed into the house. A cowardly act indeed, but if he was to face her, he needed a little something more than punch to steal him. Especially when she looked so damned beautiful.

Harcourt opted for the library. To the rear of the house, he would not be disturbed there and fool that he was, he wanted to recall the times Merry had become lost here as a little girl—before she was tainted with stories of ruination and heartache. Opening the drinks cabinet, he poured himself some generous fingers of Scotch and settled in the wingback chair by the window. He’d only taken the tiniest of sips before the door opened and he tensed.

“It’s not like you to hide in libraries.”

He dug his fingers into the arm of the chair. No doubt she had little idea how beautiful she was. The flowing lilac fabric flattered her long figure, cinching in under her bust and drawing his attention to Merry’s breasts. Her cheeks were a little rosy and her hair was coiled up with tiny strands touching her neck.

Damn, damn, damn.

He lifted his glass. “It is like me to want a stronger drink, however. My mother mixes the punch rather weak.”

Merry closed the door gently and moved toward him. Her steps were hesitant, and he noticed a slight tremor in her body. She glanced around, avoiding his gaze when she came to a stop a couple of feet from him. A few moments of silence stretched out before she cleared her throat.

“Arabella told me what you did for her.”

He let his brow furrow. “She would not let me do anything. Couldn’t even persuade her to have a cold drink.”

She tilted her head. “You showed her a kindness.”

“I hope you do not think me that much of a rogue that I would not attend to a lady in distress.”

“Of course not.” She hesitated. “But I do hope you will not mention anything she said. You can imagine how much scandal such information would cause. Not even her family knows, and they would be heartbroken if they found out.”