“Just one moment,” she said.
Elaine made her way to her father, kneeling beside him. She began fussing over him, tucking the shawl tighter around him. It was a tender enough moment to tug at Michael’s heart, soothing the anger that had flared at Lord Suthenshire. He watched as she spoke softly, her fingers brushing her father’s hand with affection. She was nothing but alight that radiated warmth andkindness, a brightness that made him reconsider the darkness he had been harbouring for so long.
For a moment, Michael wondered about the path to the truth. The anger that consumed him did not stand a chance when faced with a lady like Elaine, he realised. He was found lacking in the face of her near perfection. She looked up then, catching his gaze, and for a heartbeat, the world around them faded away.
“Michael,” she said, her voice a melody that sent a ripple through him. She stood, and the sunlight caught her hair, casting a warm glow around her. “I am ready to leave now.”
He swallowed hard, forcing a smile as he shook off his thoughts. “Let us then,” he replied, his heart twisting in his chest. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just made a terrible mistake. What mistake that was, he hadn’t a clue. But as he took Elaine’s hand and they made their way out of the drawing room with Lord Abney and Clarissa on their heels, he knew the mistake couldn’t be her.
***
The sun filtered through the leaves of the cypress trees, casting dappled shadows on the path ahead, as they strolled through Hyde Park. Elaine couldn’t contain a rush of exhilaration that mingled with the nerves taking her over. Behind them were James and Clarissa, their soft laughter creating a pleasant backdrop. But Elaine’s attention was firmly fixed on Michael beside her.
Well, perhaps not firmly fixed, for she could not help but notice the glances they attracted from passersby—some staring curiously, while many others were filled with veiled judgment. It was an unfamiliar sensation to be observed in this manner, and she understood it had more to do with the duke than with her.
Elaine chose to ignore it. She had been longing for this moment since she met Michael. She refused to let the judgments of others ruin the connection blossoming between them, like the vibrant flowers lining the path.
“Michael,” she began, breaking the comfortable silence, “how was your morning?”
He glanced at her, his expression guarded. “Unproductive, I’m afraid. And it is your fault.”
“Mine?” she gasped. “What have I done?”
“I could not stop thinking of you.”
Elaine’s cheeks flushed, warmth blooming in her chest. “Oh! I’m…I’m sorry.”
Michael’s laughter echoed around her. “Pray, do not apologise, Elaine. I did not intend to cause you any distress. It is merely that you occupy my thoughts so entirely.”
How could he say that so casually?
Before she could think of a response, he asked, “How did you spend your morning?”
“I…” She struggled to gather her thoughts, her mind in disarray. “Well, I spent my morning at the pianoforte, attempting to escape my own reflections.” A twinge of pride swelled within her as she added, “My father derives great pleasure from my playing.”
“Is that so?” Michael replied, his voice holding an emotion she could not quite identify. “What is your relationship with him like?”
“We have always shared a close bond,” she admitted. “Even as a child, I favoured my father, though I miss my mother dearly.” Elaine hesitated, searching for the right words. “I wish to be able to care for him,” she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. This topic was likely to bring her to tears, she realised suddenly. “After all my father has done for me and my family, I cannot simply sit by and watch him wither away. Now it is myturn to ensure he feels cherished and secure. I know he worries about the future and yet I cannot help but do the same thing. I want to ease his burden as much as I can.”
Michael nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. “You are far too kind for your own good, Elaine.”
“Is it deemed kindness to care for one’s father in sickness?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“If one’s father is not deserving of that care,” he murmured.
Elaine frowned up at him. She couldn’t read his expression, couldn’t understand the meaning behind his words. “And what about your father? Were you close with him?”
Michael’s expression shifted slightly, a shadow crossing his features. “It’s complicated,” he admitted, his tone heavy with unspoken weight. “My father has always been a man of ambition. But he was also a good man, far too good for his own good. Too good to realise that he was surrounded by a sea of snakes.
“You sound resentful of that,” she couldn’t help but point out.
Elaine regretted it as soon as she saw a tick in his jaw. “I am. He should have been smarter. Perhaps then he would not have died the way that he did.”
Elaine took a steadying breath, her curiosity piqued. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did your father die?”
Michael’s face grew hard. Elaine wished she could take back her words. “He was betrayed,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion. “He died disgraced and that betrayal cost our family everything.”
The emotion in his voice nearly made her reach out to take her hand, a wave of understanding washing over her. “I’m so sorry,” she said gently. “I had heard whispers about your family’s reputation, but I didn’t know…”
