Page 32 of Always the Lyon Tamer
“My word, still breakfasting!”
Startled, John looked up wildly and saw his brother, William, had strode into the room with his hat under his arm and a smile on his face.
“Yes,” said John, a little more defensively than was probably called for. “What of it?”
His brother raised an eyebrow. “Nothing at all. Except…except your manservant here informs me you have been here for almost three hours without eating a thing. He wants to clear the room for luncheon.”
John glanced at his pocket watch and saw with astonishment, it was nearer noon than eleven.
How was it possible that he had not noticed the time?Had he really sat here in silence, thinking about Rebecca, ignoring his food and the passage of the hours?
He sighed heavily.
“Oh dear,” said William just as heavily, sitting opposite. “That does not sound good.”
He allowed the two of them to drop into silence. John knew he was waiting for him to speak, but he would not.
He could not be trusted, not at the moment, not to pour out the whole sorry affair. He would not reveal Miss Darby to the world nor ruin her reputation. Even though he was probably the one who had ruined it.
“Damnit, Jojo, what’s wrong?”
William’s voice was quiet, gentle, but John still hesitated. In all their years as siblings, he had never asked William for advice, not like this. Trouble was, he did not really have anyone else to ask.
“Do…do you think we assume too much about ladies?”
Even John could hear the stupidity in his question, but there did not seem to be any other way to articulate it.How could he begin?How could he even think to explain the ridiculous situation he had managed to get himself in?
He looked up and saw William examining him closely, brow still furrowed. He looked as though he wished to ask a great number of questions, but after a close examination of the younger man, he sighed.
“Yes,” William said. “Look at Charlotte. Everyone who saw her merely saw the surface level of who she was. They saw a chaperone.”
John nodded.That was, after all, what he had seen at first.
“And though she performed that duty, she was so much more than a chaperone,” continued William with a wistful smile. “It was only because I ignored society and all their gossip and took the time to know her,reallyknow her, that I uncovered the jewel I now have as a wife.”
John sighed. It was exactly as he had feared. His real affection for Miss Darby had blinded him to her feelings. If he had just stopped to think, to see her,really see her, he would have known she loved him.Those damned letters!Why had he not paid more attention to her, sought to see below the surface?
Rebecca Darby was his perfect woman. Last night had proved that, but instead of grasping her when he had the chance, he had lost her.
“I think,” John croaked, “I have made a huge mistake.”
There was no mistaking the curiosity on his brother’s face. “Can you unmake it?”
John shook his head. “I…I do not know.”
His stomach tightened painfully again.
“Bad stomach?”
Sighing, John knew it was time to admit the truth. “William, I’m in love.”
Rebecca plumped upthe cushion to the best of her ability, glanced at her father, and then continued to punch it into a more convenient shape.
“There you go, Father,” she said quietly. “Is that more comfortable?”
Mr. Darby leaned back in his leather armchair, and a smile crept over his face as his back sank into the cushion.
“Much better, thank you, Rebecca,” he said quietly, his eyes slightly shut. “Though I would be more comfortable if you were married, and to a good man!”
