Chapter 4
Nellie stared at the small ledger she carried with her whenever she was in London. It was impossible to concentrate on the columns of numbers. How could she when all she could think about was the kiss she’d shared with a perfect stranger? She knew she should be mortified, but instead, she was overwhelmed by emotions she didn’t know existed.
Over and over she’d relived the events of the previous evening. She’d heard voices from the terrace, then cries of fearful warning, then a loud thud, and finally a deep moan. She knew someone had fallen over the terrace railing, and she’d rushed to see if there was anything she could do to help.
She’d fallen to her knees beside the figure on the ground and looked down on the most handsome man she’d ever seen that close. She’d touched his cheeks praying that God hadn’t taken such a perfectly gorgeous man from the world. It was Hugh Wythers. The Hugh Wythers.
She’d lifted his head and laid it in her lap to comfort him. He’d moaned, then opened his eyes, and Nellie’s heart skipped a beat when he looked up at her.
Then he’d wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her head down to his. And he’d kissed her.
Nellie breathed a shuddering sigh and brought her hands up to her face. She closed her eyes to blot out the feelings that had surged through her at that kiss. She thought she might burst into flames.
She reached for several pieces of paper from her desk and waved them in front of her face. She was being silly. She was being stupid. She was acting like she’d never seen a handsome man before. She was acting like a lass of nineteen instead of a woman of twenty and nine. Besides, he’d uttered the most scathing words.
Nellie called herself several unflattering names, then turned her attention back to the ledger. A knock on the door interrupted her before she had time to make progress.
“Yes, Timble.”
The Lyman butler opened the door. “You have a visitor, my lady.”
“A visitor?”
“Yes, my lady.” Timble held out the silver salver he’d carried to her.
Nellie took the card from the tray and read the name engraved on the card. Her heart stopped for at least two beats, and air ceased to enter and leave her lungs. “Tell Lord Wythers I’m not in, Timble.”
“Are you quite certain, my lady?”
“Yes. Yes. I’m not well. I’m not receiving.” Nellie threw her hands up in the air. “Oh, tell him whatever you want. Just don’t let him in.”
“Very well, my lady.”
Timble left the room, and Nellie wrapped her arms around her middle and squeezed tight. She waited to hear the outside door open and close, but instead, Timble rapped again.
“The gentleman refuses to leave, my lady.”
“He what?”
“He refuses to leave. He said that if you won’t see him now, he’ll return in thirty minutes. Then again in another thirty minutes. And again, until you are home and receiving.”
Nellie felt the air leave her body. She wasn’t sure she could face him after what had happened the night before. But it was obvious he wasn’t going to give her a choice.
“Very well, Timble. Show Lord Wythers in.”
Nellie rose from behind her desk and smoothed her skirt. Why had she worn this old mauve thing? It was the color that least favored her. The devil take it. She should have kept him waiting until she could change.
Her heart pounded like the beating of a thousand drums. She was so nervous her blood roared in her head. And she clutched her hands at her side until her nails dug into her flesh. Then the door opened.
“Lord Wythers, my lady,” Timble said.
“Thank you, Timble. Have a tray prepared if you will, please.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Timble left the room, and she and the man she’d kissed last night were alone.
“Please, Lord Wythers, do come in.”
Nellie focused on the very tall, very broad shouldered man as he came near her. He was even more handsome than she remembered.
His cheekbones were high and his features chiseled as if from marble. His eyes were wide set and dark as midnight, although she noticed a redness that was a telltale sign of the liquor he’d consumed the night before.
He had a broad forehead and a slight curve to his nose as if it might have been broken at one time. His eyebrows were as dark as his thick, neatly combed hair. There had been creases on either side of his mouth when he’d smiled last night. Those creases weren’t visible now, because he wasn’t smiling. In fact, from the serious expression on his face, Nellie might have doubted he was capable of smiling. But she’d seen the up-curve of his mouth a second before he’d kissed her, and she would never forget that glorious sight.
Then she saw something she hadn’t noticed in the darkness. There was a cleft in the center of his chin. She wondered how she could have missed such a magnificent feature. It gave his ruggedly handsome face a sturdy strength that she found mesmerizing. The air left her body for a moment before she regained control.
“Please, have a seat, my lord.”
“After you, my lady.”
Nellie sat in the chair behind her desk, then watched as Lord Wythers folded his tall frame into the chair in front of her.
“I’m certain you know why I’ve come, my lady. I’m here to make your acquaintance and to offer you my most abject apology.”
Nellie bristled. He’d behaved like an absolute cad the night before. She wasn’t sure how to answer without shaming him terribly, or horribly embarrassing herself. But then, her unbecoming youth had tempered her reactions. She would accept his apology, of course. She had no reason not to, but it embarrassed her to be confronted by a man with whom she’d shared such an intimate kiss. A man who undoubtedly regretted his actions. Who had come here to tell her he would undo what had happened last night if he could. Even though she was glad he couldn’t undo anything.
She was spared from having to respond when Timble entered with a tea tray. He placed the tray in the center of her desk, then left the room again.
“How do you prefer your tea, my lord?” she asked as she stood to serve.
“Simple,” he answered.
No milk. No sugar. Perhaps it was a self-imposed penance for his misdeed. Nellie handed him a cup of tea. He nodded his appreciation and took a swallow.
“I’d offer you something stronger, but after last night I don’t think that’s advisable.”
His gaze shot up to meet hers. There was a hardness in his features, and his face held a shocked expression that indicated his confusion. At first, Nellie thought he might be offended that she’d indelicately mentioned the mishap. Then, the corners of his mouth lifted, and he smiled.
“No, my lady. Anything stronger than tea is hardly in our best interest.”
Lord Wythers took another swallow, then set his cup and saucer on the desk. “I want you to know how deeply I regret my actions last night. I have no excuse for my behavior other than I was not myself.”
“I accept your apology, my lord,” Nellie said, lowering her gaze to her lap.
Lord Wythers continued. “I have been assured that no one witnessed my inexcusable behavior, my lady, so your reputation remains completely unblemished. Unless, of course—”
Nellie held up her hand to stop him. She wanted to laugh. “I am not concerned about my reputation, my lord. A woman of my years and, as you so honestly pointed out, my lack of beauty, doesn’t need to concern herself that Society will believe she’s been compromised by someone of your superior looks.”
Her words made the point she’d intended. His words indicated his understanding.
“To my dying day, I shall regret having spoken with such abominable rudeness. There was no excuse for saying what I did other than I was . . .”
“Drunk, my lord. You were thoroughly foxed.”
Her words brought a smile to his face. “Yes, my lady. I was totally, ashamedly . . . foxed.”He crossed one ankle over the opposite knee and sat back in his chair. “May I ask you a question, my lady?”
“Yes. Although I can’t guarantee I’ll answer it.”
He smiled again, and the creases on either side of his mouth deepened. The look created a most heart-stopping profile. It was a sin for any one man to be so handsome.
Nellie experienced a wistful longing that was utterly alien to her. She knew from his words last night that he was in search of a bride. Whoever he chose would indeed be a very lucky woman, and not just because of his looks. But because Lord Wythers seemed an honorable man. A less honorable man wouldn’t have bothered to come in person to apologize. Yet he had.
“Why are you making this so easy for me? After my reprehensible behavior last night, I didn’t expect to be received so kindly. Nor do I deserve your understanding.”
“You thought I would lash out at you?” Nellie asked.
“I thought perhaps you would. I anticipated I would receive the wrath of your temper. Or perhaps be met at the door by your father with a pistol in his hand.”
Nellie laughed. “The only thing you have to fear Father will ever throw at you is a book. He is a lover of the written word, and I’m not sure he’s ever handled a gun. Certainly not to harm anyone.”
“Well,” Lord Wythers said with a smile. “That’s a relief. And you have been much more gracious than I deserve. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had demanded a public apology.”
Nellie looked at him and suddenly realized what he was saying, what he’d feared. “You anticipated that I’d demand that you make an honest woman of me, didn’t you?”
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had.”
“Oh, my lord. I appreciate your distress. No, you have no cause to fear. What happened will be forgotten the moment you leave.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Nellie tried to imagine that she didn’t see a sigh of relief from Lord Wythers, but she did. She tried not to be hurt, but it was difficult. She’d had nine and twenty years to accustom herself to how handsome men reacted to her.
Lord Wythers shifted in his chair, and Nellie realized he was about to leave.
“Before you take your leave, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course. Although I can’t guarantee I’ll answer it,” he said, smiling.
They both laughed.
“Perhaps you won’t wish to answer, as this is quite personal.” She paused. “Last night, you mentioned that you were desperate to marry. May I ask why?”
He hesitated, and at first, Nellie thought he might not answer. When he did, he said the last thing she expected.
“Because I’m being blackmailed.”