Guinevere’s mother blabbered beside him, demanding his attention, but he stared straight ahead, unable to rip his gaze from Guinevere and Kilgore. She did not shove Kilgore away. They stood, locked in their kiss. Fury crackled inside Asher, and he turned abruptly from the window. His gaze crashed into the hard one of Guinevere’s father. The man didn’t like him, though Asher supposed it was not surprising considering the past and the very recent compromising of his daughter.
“It seems I’m no longer needed here,” Asher clipped. Now protecting himself was all there was.
“Oh, Your Grace—” Guinevere’s mother started to cry out, but Fairfax interrupted.
“Silence, Georgette,” Fairfax stated in a firm but gentle tone. The warning look on his face, however, was forceful.
Lady Fairfax opened and shut her mouth several times before finally deciding to listen. She clamped her jaw shut and sat with a loud sigh.
“Your past actions and today’s letter,” Fairfax said, picking up a piece of foolscap from his desk, “would lead me to believe this—” he waved a hand toward the garden “—should be a happy turn of circumstances for you.”
Asher frowned. “What part of my letter leads ye to believe that?”
“The part in which you stated these wereunfortunate circumstances.”
It was not the best choice of words now that he thought about it, but he’d had no sleep. “I was not referring to the lady but to the event that led to our betrothal.” And to the fact that she wanted Kilgore.
“Ah.” Fairfax’s countenance relaxed immediately. “I was hoping that was the case. Since it is, I extend an invitation for you to remain until, er, we know how things should unfold.”
“I must decline,” Asher replied. He’d seen how things were unfolding.
He’d be damned if he was going to wait around like an eager pup to learn if Kilgore had asked Guinevere to wed him and she had accepted. It was more than his company and his pride in the balance now. It was the very real need to protect himself. He kept trying to relinquish hope. He’d thought he’d managed it on several occasions, but it kept springing back up like a weed to taunt and tease him. The kiss between Kilgore and Guinevere seemed to be a blinding indication that he had to relinquish hope. She’d just crushed it under her delicate slipper, after all. Only a fool would continue. Only a fool would have ever come to London to meet a father who had not wanted him, but he’d done that, as well. He had to quit being a fool.
“If ye would, please tell yer daughter that I will consider our informal betrothal formally broken.”
“Your Grace,” Lady Fairfax burst out. “You cannot mean that. Truly, let us not be hasty and wait until—”
“Georgette!” Fairfax thundered, and though Lady Fairfax flinched, she kept speaking.
“Youcaused her ruin.” Lady Fairfax sniffed.
There were actually two of them involved in the kiss, but to argue the point was fruitless. He had initiated it. “I’m aware,” Asher replied, having to unclench his jaw to do so. It was why he had not ended the betrothal just now. He would give Guinevere the opportunity to do it. “I was going to say, please tell yer daughter I will consider our informal betrothal broken unless she sends word requesting I return to make it formal. I will await word from her until tomorrow night.”
After that, he intended to leave England and Guinevere behind him, no matter how much he did not want to.
Guinevere shoved Kilgore back and slapped him. “Why did you do that?”
“To help you,” he replied, rubbing his cheek.
“I need to speak to Asher and explain,” she blurted and then turned, getting a glimpse into the study window. “Where is he?” she cried out.
“I do believe Carrington is departing,” Kilgore replied. “That’s what I would do.”
“No! He cannot depart!” She clenched her skirts in her hands as she raced toward the house. She’d wanted him to realize what a fool he was and to see how another would wed her and want her. He was supposed to realize he loved her desperately!
She took the stairs at a most unladylike two at a time and raced down the corridor at a speed that would cause her Mama palpitations if she witnessed it. Guinevere paused, unsure if she should head toward her father’s study or the front door. If Asher had truly left, then she would not chase after him, though God above knew she was good and ruined if he had departed. She ran down the corridor, hearing Vivian and Frederica rushing down the stairs in the distance.
She burst through the parlor door and wanted to weep at the sight of only her mother and father there. “Did Carrington leave?” she asked, hating how breathless she sounded.
“Yes,” her mother wailed. “Did you accept Kilgore’s offer?”
“There was no offer,” Guinevere replied, only then realizing she’d left Kilgore alone in the garden.
“Oh, you’ve ruined everything again!” her mother burst out. “Oh dear. You must run after one of them! Yes, go now!” Mama stepped toward her, but her father spoke.
“Sit down and quit talking this instant, Georgette. And if you refuse my request again, I will cease to allow you to push me about with your every whim!”
Guinevere felt her mouth fall open, as did her mother’s. Papa never raised his voice, even when he endured a great deal from Mama, but he did indeed look and sound vexed now.
