She’s hurt.
So was he. He’d confessed his love, bared his soul. And she had spurned him. There was only so much rejection a man could take. So much punishment.
“I was there when she confronted Deerhurst,” Warrick told Saville. “I’ve never been so scared of a woman in my life.”
Saville nodded. “I’ve heard the Sharp women are not women to be trifled with.”
“And yet who is the one that compared Phaedra’s laughter to an alley cat?”
Saville cursed. “I haven’t had it easy either, old chap. Selena hasn’t spoken to me for days. She won’t even look at me.”
Deerhurst sighed. “Can’t say I blame her.”
They all drank their brandy in silence.
“I saw how she looked at you the day in the park,” Saville said. “Trust me, your lady will come around.”
Deerhurst couldn’t be so sure. “Her anger is born of fears that run much deeper than the wagers.”
“Show her she has nothing to fear from you,” Saville said.
Warrick nodded. “Fight for her.”
“I told her I loved her.”
Saville whistled. “Perhaps she won’t come around.”
Warrick kicked him beneath the table. “Don’t listen to his foul mouth. “When have words ever repaired a woman’s trust? That’s why Selena hasn’t forgiven this rogue, her own brother.”
Deerhurst took another swill of brandy. “I can’t fight her fears for her.”
“You don’t have to fight her fears,” Warrick said. “All you have to do is show her they are meaningless with you.”
Deerhurst pursed his lips in thought.
Show her they are meaningless with him. He turned the idea over in his mind. It wasn’t the worst advice. In fact, for Warrick, it was perhaps a stroke of genius. Only, Deerhurst had no idea how to go about showing her whatmorehe could do. Confessing his love hadn’t even been enough.
Because she didn’t believe you.
“More brandy,” Saville called to the waiter. “A bottle.”
Warrick leaned back in his chair. “Agreed, let’s get foxed tonight.”
Deerhurst nodded. Anything to forget tonight. Brandy eased the discomfort that stabbed with each intake of breath.
Deerhurst suddenly recalled that Lady Selena, Saville’s sister, and been part of the scandal on this eve. “Where is your sister?”
Saville winced. “Locked herself in her room. I’ve put four footmen on her watch tonight. This is a disaster.”
“Well,” Deerhurst said. “If there is one woman who would have taken badly to your connection to the list, it’s your sister.”
“She cut up all of my clothes.” Saville pulled at his coat. “All I have to wear are the clothes on my damn back. She even destroyed my boots. Luckily, I still have some shirts and trousers at my bachelor’s apartment.”
Warrick snorted. “I wouldn’t put it past her to find out about your apartment and torch it. Always thought of her as a sweet girl. But now I don’t know who scares me more, Selena or Lady Phaedra.”
Deerhurst arched a brow. “You were there when his sister confronted him?”
Warrick nodded. “I believe all the porcelain in the house had to be replaced.”
