Page 56 of Saving a Scoundrel
“Oh, dear. Yes, his plan to get into the brewing business has just gone up in smoke. Of course he is upset.”
Hartwick’s brows drew together. “That was his plan with her? He wanted the brewery?”
Ellie nodded. “Well, I’m not sorry Miss Macdougal is gone. Maybe now he will consider the idea of opening his own brewery. He could do it; I know it would be a success. I’ll talk to him. Where is he?”
“I put him in the library, down the hall, third door on the left. Good luck; he’s a bit drunk. Sorry.” He shrugged his shoulders.
Ellie frowned. Of course, he was drunk. That seemed to be his default behavior when he was upset about something. Well, she would just talk some sense into him. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d had to. She strode down the hall and didn’t bother knocking on the library door. When she entered, she had to stop and let her eyes adjust to the dark room. Why was he sitting in the dark?
“It’s about time. Thought you’d never bring the brandy.” Lucius’s voice came from a shadowy conversation area by the cold fireplace.
The moon shone big and bright outside, and as her eyes adjusted, she could make out Lucius’s long form slumped in a chair. She shook her head. On a console table by the door, a taper sat in a brass holder. She lit the candle and moved across the room.
“I don’t think you need any more brandy tonight, Lucius.” She held up the taper. The candlelight played across his features, showing his look of surprise. She put one hand on her hip. “Why are you sitting here in the dark?”
“Ellie?” He sat up; his boots hit the floor. “What are you doing here?”
“The Duke of Hartwick told me what happened with Miss Macdougal. He asked me to talk with you.”
“Hart,” Lucius muttered.
Ellie moved forward. She gently placed a hand against his cheek. “It’s for the best.”
He jerked his head away and stared out the window. “Yes, well, Haverty is a good catch. Titled and buckets of money. Of course, she would choose him over me.”
“Honestly, it doesn’t surprise me. She spoke at length at Hawksridge’s party how she admired your connections.” Ellie paced away, then whirled back to face him. “Lucius, she was nothing but a social climber.”
Lucius shrugged and slumped back against the back of the chair. The only word for his expression was forlorn. She hated to see him think less of himself. Katy Macdougal had made the wrong choice. Haverty may have money but he was a bore and a gambler to boot. Not that she wanted Miss Macdougal to win Lucius’s affection. Ellie moved to stand in front of him again.
“Lucius, can I tell you something?” She didn’t wait for his response. “I’m glad Miss Macdougal is gone to Scotland. I didn’t want her to have you because…I want you for myself.” She held her breath. Her heart beat wildly against her breast.
Lucius looked up at her with haunted eyes. “You don’t want me.”
“Lucius, I think I am the best person to know what I want and don’t want.” She set down the candle on the table.
“You shouldn’t want me. I’m a loser, a bad bet. I can barely support myself, let alone a wife and family. I haven’t any prospects. I’m just a stubborn fool who makes one bad decision after another.”
Ellie’s temper crackled to life. “Well, you’re just going to have to shape up because you’re the stubborn fool that I want.” She pushed his hair off his forehead. “I am in love with you, Lucius Grisham. I always have been.”
His eyes went wide. For a moment a flare of emotion flickered back at her from their green depths. Then he lowered his lids, and when he looked back up at her, his eyes were devoid of feeling. “Ellie, I can’t give you what you want. I don’t love you like that.”
She sucked in a sharp breath at his harsh words. Ellie stared at him for a long moment. He was a lost soul, a man who needed a safe harbor. One she had just offered him with her heart on her sleeve. Lucius may not want her love, but she would not let him dismiss what she knew was between them. She leaned in close so he could not miss the anger in her eyes.
“Liar.”
Chapter Thirty
Ellie stalked outof the library, pulling the door shut behind her with a satisfying slam. Stupid, stubborn man. Well, he can just rot in his self-pity. She turned left and headed back to the ballroom. But when she entered the overcrowded room, she immediately felt ill. Too many people and too much noise had her skirting the edge of the dance floor and making a beeline for the veranda. She stepped outside, and the cooler evening air washed over her heated cheeks like a balm.
Ellie glanced around. There was a fair amount of mixed company milling about. She would stay near the doors and take a moment to compose herself. Stepping to one side, she tucked herself against the wall in the shadows. Perhaps she had chosen the wrong moment to confess her feelings. Lucius had been drunk and feeling bad about being thrown over. But wasn’t hearing someone loved you supposed to make you feel good? So why was he pushing her away? She crossed her arms in front of her chest. She wished Charlotte was here. She might be able to give her some insight into her brother’s thoughts.
“You must tell me. Here now, we are alone.”
Two ladies passed right by her hiding spot. They paused not ten feet away; both ladies’ silk fans swished open. Ellie flattened herself against the wall, hoping they wouldn’t notice her skulking.
“Well, I don’t know. I did promise Rosemary not to say.”
“Oh, pish, she is the biggest gossip of them all.”
