“Youcantell me, Marcus.”
Her voice matched his softness, and she moved closer to him still, but Marcus took a step back, dropped his head, and pulled his hand away. When she tried to protest, he simply shook his head.
“It was very good to see you again.” His throat bobbed, his grey eyes swirling with dark clouds. “But I fear we cannot ever be as close as we once were, Almeria. Not again.”
A sob broke from her lips.
“But what if I should wish it?” Almeria’s voice rose a little, desperation twining through her words. “Marcus, mydearfriend, you cannot simply push our friendship aside, not when we have been so close for so many years. Can you not see how much this pains me? I know it must pain you also.” Her eyes searched his, as she held one hand out imploringly to him. “Do you not care?”
In that one moment, something flashed in Lord Coppinger’s eyes. Before she knew it, he was beside her, his hand on hers, sparks flashing in his eyes, heat in his cheeks, and his breath warm across her face.
“Of course I care.” His voice dropped low as she shuddered, lightly. “That is precisely why I must do this, Almeria. Please do not question me. It is because I care so much for you that Imuststep back, even though it goes against everything I desire.”
Almeria caught her breath, her heart beating furiously as her eyes went to his lips. Then her gaze flicked back to his eyes, as she heard his gasp of breath, his own eyes flaring wide. Something warm began to pool in her belly as she reached up her other hand to press lightly to his cheek – only for Lord Coppinger to freeze in place, his gaze now fixed over her shoulder. At the next moment, he turned sharply to Lord Trevelyan, stepping away from her, leaving nothing but cold and shadow in his place.
“We must go.”
Not a single word was said to Almeria, not a single explanation given, but without another murmur, both gentlemen turned on their heels and strode sharply away. Almeria stared after them, her breath coming quick and fast as she fought to understand what had just taken place.
“Goodness, that was most abrupt.” Miss Madeley blinked in surprise, shaking her head as Almeria glanced over her shoulder. Her breath hitched as none other than Lord Penforth strolled towards them, a broad smile on his face. Her stomach dropped. “I do not understand.”
Miss Madeley was about to continue speaking, but Almeria rounded on her friend, reaching out to grasp her hand.
“Do not say it was Lord Coppinger and Lord Trevelyan with us,” she whispered urgently as her friend stared at her, wide-eyed. “Do you understand? We must not say it was Lord Coppinger.”
“Say it to whom?”
Almeria tilted her head back.
“To Lord Penforth, for he is approaching us. I am certain that he is the reason Lord Coppinger removed himself from our company so quickly. Please, Deborah, do not say a word about him. If you must, lie, and state instead that it was another fellow altogether.”
There was no time for them to say anything more, for Lord Penforth was soon upon them. He bowed to them both and Almeria responded with a quick smile, though her heart was still pounding furiously.
“Good afternoon to you both. Might I ask if I interrupted a conversation? I was sure I saw Lord Coppinger departing from you, along with another companion.”
Almeria coughed lightly and attempted to look surprised.
“No indeed, it was not.” She spoke quickly, seeing Lord Penforth’s smile fade to a sudden frown. “I have not seen my friend in some time. In fact, I was telling Miss Madeley just now that he is no longer in my company as often.”
Lord Penforth was not as astute a gentleman as he desired to be, for the smile he attempted to hide wasmorethan obvious to Almeria’s eyes. He began talking about something entirely different, but in Almeria’s heart she believed that what she suspected was true. There was something about Lord Penforth’s presence, something about him which was pushing Lord Coppinger away from her… and Almeria was quite certain that Lord Penforth was doing it deliberately.
All she had to do now was find out the truth.
Chapter Thirteen
Marcus could not seem to concentrate on anything. It had been almost four weeks since he had last spoken to Lord Penforth, almost four weeks since he had found himself thrown into a situation of entirely his own making. Of course, Lord Penforth was the one to blame for whathehad done, but all the same, Marcus could not ignore that, had he told Lady Almeria the truth of his feelings long before now, then they might never have found themselves in this circumstance. Indeed, he might have been quite contented, glad to be with Almeria in society’s company, able even to call her his wife, had he been so bold.
Now he must stay away from her, for what could he do against Lord Penforth’s threats? It was Marcus’ love for Lady Almeria which kept him away from her. Should he say a single word to her, then Lord Penforth would tell nothing but lies about MarcusandLord Trevelyan and with other gentlemen to confirm what Marcus had supposedly been doing in that red-doored gambling den, his reputation would be pulled from him – and Almeria with it. Marcus doubted that he would ever be allowed to evenspeakwith her again, should her father hear and believe these whispers, and therefore, he could not allow such a thing to happen.
If he dared speak a word against Lord Penforth, then the heavens would break open, and nothing but fire would rain down upon him. For Marcus, it felt as though he were being slowly pulled into pieces, for every day he was further away from Lady Almeria was a day of pain. What else could he do other than slowly disentangle himself from her? It was not that his thoughts were willing to do so, however, for his mind and his heart were still continually plagued by thoughts of her. Even if Lord Penforth did not manage to secure her hand, it was not as though Marcus could ever find the fulfillment of his heart’s greatest longing. He did not doubt that Lord Penforth would be as good as his word, and make certain that Marcus and Lady Almeria were never as Marcus wished them to be. There was a cruelty in him that Marcus disliked immensely, a cruelty that he could practically feel emanating from the gentleman every time Lord Penforth as much as caught his gaze.
Almeria had written him a letter almost daily this last sennight or so. Letters begging him to tell her the truth – but he had not been able to answer. How could he, when he feared what would occur should he do so?
Dropping his head low, he curled one hand into a fist and slammed it down onto the study desk. His hand radiated pain, but he cared very little. It was nothing compared to the sheer agony which stabbed through his heart every time Almeria came to his mind. How much he had lost, how much he had never managed to grasp! And it was all because he had lacked the courage to step forward, all because he had thought to wait until the most favorable moment before he confessed his feelings. He ought to have done so the moment he had laid eyes on her this Season, knowing that the only thing he wanted in his life was her. Now, it was much too late. There was no future for them and all that lay before him was darkness.
“My Lord.”
Marcus looked up. His butler had opened the door, and Lord Trevelyan was now pushing past him, stepping inside.
