Michael glanced down, noting how she batted her eyelashes at him. He laughed softly, rolling his eyes. “That will not sway me, and you are well aware of it.”
“How do you know it has not already swayed you?”
“Because I have not conceded to your demands.”
“Hm,” she hummed. “Will you be attending dinner with Aunt Beatrice and Uncle Henry? They asked me to confirm your attendance, even though I already assured them you would be there.”
“And why would you tell them such a thing?”
“Because it is the truth.”
Michael sighed. He had more planning to do. He had not been in London very long yet and he knew the rumors of his return were only just beginning. If he was seen out and about, then it would set ablaze all through the Ton. He wasn’t ready for that as yet.
“Michael.” Clarissa took his hand, forcing them to stop. She gazed up at him with utmost seriousness. “We have missed you. Not only I, but Aunt Beatrice and Uncle Henry as well.”
The sadness in her voice tore at him a little. Michael was already responding before he gave it another thought. “I shall be there.”
Clarissa’s smile was so quick, thathe wondered if he had imagined her previous frown. “I shall inform them at once.”
Without warning, she reached up on her toes and pressed a kiss on his cheek before hurrying away with a pep in her step. Michael stared after her, realising a little too late what she’d just done.
He sighed, turning back the way he’d come. He supposed that over the four years they had been apart, Clarissa had only become more adept at getting her own way. And he was no better at fighting her charms.
Though he supposed spending time with his aunt, uncle, and sister was the least he could do after being away for so long, he wouldn’t have to worry about that for now. With dinnertime still a few hours away, he had plenty of time to peruse the documents and go over his plan.
Plenty of time to ensure that when he encountered Lady Elaine for the first time, he would be prepared.
***
Tears pricked Elaine’s eyes for the second time that day. She fought them valiantly but a lone tear escaped, blazing a hot path down the side of her face. She quickly wiped it away before her father could see.
“Right here,” she murmured, her throat thick with emotion. She hoped her father would not be able to tell.
With one arm wrapped around his waist, she helped his frail body settle into the plush armchair facing the window ofthe drawing room. She tried ignoring the fact that the armchair was now fading in colour, as was nearly everything else in the townhouse. The signs of neglect she’d once been able to ignore now showed themselves in every scratched surface, every faded and peeling wallpaper andevery worn piece of furniture.
This particular chair had once been her favourite growing up. She would spend hours reading poetry and working on her embroidery in that very spot. But that was before her world came crashing down around her. Now it was the closest, most comfortable chair for her ailing father to rest in the drawing room when he was not confined to his bed.
“It is quite windy today, Papa,” she said softly, grateful that the lump was now cleared from her throat. She forced a weak smile to her lips. “Would you like me to open the windows?”
Lord Edward Sutton, the Earl of Suthenshire, looked up at her with cloudy eyes filled with something she couldn’t name. Pain, she realised as her heart broke in two. He was in pain and she could do nothing to help him.
“No wind,” he rasped. She assumed he wanted to say ‘no window’ but couldn’t manage the full sentence. His words ended with a fierce, dry cough.
“Very well,” she said. “I shall fetch your blanket.”
Edward clutched her skirt, the closest thing to his fingers, and held as firmly as he could. “Sit…sit with me…”
Elaine swallowed. For a moment, she could only stare at him, fighting the wave of sorrow that washed over her. Her once-proud father who wore his title and prestige like a badge of honour had been reduced to a skinny, frail man bested by illness. Watching him deteriorate before her eyes had only made the last few years far more terrible than it could have been.
Again, she forced a smile to her face but she doubted this one was very convincing. “Very well,” she said gently, claimingthe armchair across from him. “I have been on my feet all morning. It would be nice to rest for a spell.”
Edward sank into the armchair as if he had been using the last of his strength to keep her from leaving. Elaine looked out the window. She couldn’t bear to look at her father for too long. It always left her in tears.
“Thank you…my dear,” Edward rasped once more.
“Papa, you should save your strength.”
“I have nothing left. But you…”
