Page 33 of Hot and Bothered in July
“I still think you might come to regret your hasty decision,” the unknown speaker claimed. “Marriage is a permanent fixture.”
“I am well aware,” Lord Michael returned dryly. “But do you not recall that is what mistresses are for? However, I feel that won’t be necessary because something tells me the lady will be quite pleasing in the bedchamber.”
Reed’s fists clenched at his sides. The audacity of the man to speak so boldly and without restraint about Sariah! It was true she was wildly passionate, but Reed vowed that this scoundrel would never know of her sweet responses. He would abduct her and haul her away to Gretna Green if his hand was forced.
“Have you spoken to her father about the possibility of a union yet?”
“I have.” Reed tensed at this. How Lord Michael had managed to catch the baron before he’d departed this morning, when Reed had practically been lying awake the rest of the night with the eagerness to do so, was almost beyond rational thought. “He was quite happy to give his utmost consent. He said he did not see any impediment that would deter my suit.”
Reed froze. Did the baron truly think so little of him when he’d done his best to prove his worth in matters of business and how he’d treated his daughter thus far? Anger flared to life inside of him and he clenched his jaw. He’d been a fool to ever believe that he could be fully accepted by anyone from the nobility. The baron had seemed different, but it sounded as though he was just like any of the other gentleman, eager to make Reed’s acquaintance when it came to securing further blunt for their pockets, but brushing him off as more than that when it came to society standards.
He was ready to wash his hands of the entire lot of them.
Feeling that he’d heard enough, he turned on his heel and headed for the stairs, intent on gathering his things and leaving this farce once and for all. His face burned with a mixture of fury and chafing embarrassment.
As he turned a corner, he nearly bowled over the one woman who had been both his blessing—and his curse.
“Mr. Carrington!” Sariah exclaimed when she saw him. Her amber eyes immediately lit up, as if she could ever convince him that her regard was genuine ever again. Not after what he’d heard and the crushing betrayal he felt now. “I was hoping to speak with you this morning. I could not hold back any longer and felt it was imperative to tell you that?—”
“I am well aware of what you were going to say, madam.” His voice was cold, calculated, and she did not miss the grating edge.
She lowered her voice, as if even now, she was too mortified to speak his name aloud where they might be overheard. “Reed? Is something… wrong?”
He snorted. “Not in the least, my dear. In fact, I am seeing things more clearly than ever, such as the fact you shall never look upon me with anything but disgrace because of my background.”
She jerked as if he’d physically struck her. “What are you talking about?”
He wanted to applaud her efforts. She’d missed her calling on the stage. “It does not signify any longer.” He narrowed his gaze. “Youdo not signify any longer.” He turned away, telling himself it had nothing to do with the way her eyes widened and her chin gave a slight quiver, as if she were truly injured. The only thing that mattered was her treachery in throwing him over for another man who would never care for her a fraction of how his heart was currently bleeding.
“Wait. You must tell me what has happened?—”
She reached out and grabbed on to his arm when he started to leave. “You will unhand me,” he warned in a low tone. “I am leaving this house and the entirety in it behind for good.”
This time he could not mistake the sheen of tears swimming in her gaze. “Reed. Please, do not do this. I love you.”
He had reached the end of his patience. Although it seemed as though she had pierced him with the sharp end of a dagger, he snarled, “Goodbye, Miss Kent. I did enjoy our evening together. I hope it will live in your memory forever as I have already set it out of my thoughts.”
Sariah couldn’t breathe. She was frozen in place as Reed disappeared from view. The area around her began to spin, and she feared she might actually faint for the first time in her life. She reached out to grasp something to steady herself, but her mind continued to whirl.
What in God’s name has occurred?
Her veins had turned to ice and as she began to tremble, she knew that she had to leave, or else find herself breaking down in the middle of the Harvilles’ foyer.
Rushing toward the back of the house, she burst into the sunlight. The warm rays were streaming down, bathing everything in the glowing color of summer, but she felt none of it. She was completely wooden, without feeling, other than the despondency that threatened to choke her.
She made it to the edge of the gardens, but the moment she spied the red roses, the dam burst and she began to sob as if her very heart was breaking in two. She did not know what she’d done to deserve Reed’s censure, but it did not make sense. He had been so tender and caring the night before. Something dreadful must have occurred to turn him against her to such a horrible degree. Although she’d heard of his previous reputation, she had never met the man other men claimed him to be, but perhaps he was tired of hiding his true nature now that he’d gained what he’d wanted from her. His lust had been satisfied and he was already weary of her presence.
Was he truly that cruel?
She could not believe it was true, but then, what else was she supposed to think when he would not even talk to her?
“Sariah?”
She looked up to find her brother warily stepping out from the maze at her back. She spun around and immediately rushed into his arms where she continued to cry harder.
He seemed stunned at first, but soon, his arms wrapped around her and he held her close, offering soft words of comfort as she dampened his jacket with her tears.
Not until she started to calm slightly did he dare to ask, “Has someone died?”
