Page 65 of A Rogue to Reform

“Oh no!” her mother exclaimed. “I understand how you feel, but you should have never gone to his place of business and created a spectacle in public.”

When she pulled Felicity into her arms, soothing her with “there-theres,” Felicity wanted to linger, but at the same time, she was too angry to keep from standing and pacing. “How could he? How dare he?” she said to no one in particular. “I will be the laughingstock. Everyone will ponder that it did not take long for him to return to his last lover.”

“And what about Mister Hollenbeck. No doubt he will hear about it shortly.”

“Oh, Hannah,” Felicity snapped. “No one is aware of their relationship, if one could even call it that. It seems Sorcha’s affections change as often as the weather.”

Her mother looked from her to Hannah. “Tell me, what did Mr. Hollenbeck say to you?”

Losing interest, Felicity could only continue to pace, fuming at what had transpired. Not only had Evan been seen in public with Sorcha, but then whoever happened to look from inside the windows at Macleod Textiles had witnessed her slapping and kicking Evan. What a mess. And it was entirely his fault.

Her mother insisted she drink strong tea with a bit of brandy, and she gulped it down, not caring that it was most unladylike. After this day, she’d left her manners behind.

Withing moments, her mother had come up with a plan for damage control and they headed back to same coffee shop where Evan had been.

A messenger had been dispatched with a note to her husband, in which Felicity had no idea what her mother had scribbled.

“Remember, head up and smile on your face. It has to seem as if whatever the rumors said about your actions earlier are not true.” Her mother nudged her, and Felicity plastered a wide smile on her face.

They entered the establishment acting as if in the middle of a conversation. Hannah giggled a bit too loudly and Felicity’s mother gave her a warning look.

It was obvious by the many heads turning that the last person anyone expected to be there was Felicity. She felt every single stare, almost flinching when someone across the room began speaking to her companion.

“Mother, I am so delighted you wished to come here today,” she said, noting women at another table listened.

They began discussing plans for the house renovations, and despite her anger, she began to relax. The idea of how each room would be transformed was her pet project at the moment, and she was so enthralled by it that even after Evan’s actions, her enthusiasm was only dimmed slightly.

It was obvious when Evan entered because the conversations lulled. He walked straight to the table and placed a kiss first to Felicity’s cheek and then to her mother’s. Finally, he lowered to the chair next to Felicity with the easygoing expression of a man without worry.

If not for the fact they were there to perform, she would have slid her chair away. Instead, she leaned into him. “Darling, I am so glad you stopped by. I had to ensure you agree to the wallpaper being removed from the parlor today.”

“Whatever you ladies decide is best. I know nothing of these things.” He shook his head when a server came to offer food or drink. “I am afraid I cannot stay. I came inside only because I saw our carriage out front.”

With that, he stood, once again made a display of kissing her cheek, and walked out, his attractive figure catching the attention of everyone he passed. Other than nodding in acknowledgment at a man, he did not pay anyone else any heed.

“Now, should we discuss the dinner party?” her mother said, and once again, the busy-bodies at the nearby table seemed to lean in to hear.

It was an hour later that they walked out of the coffee shop, and to Felicity’s relief, Hannah begged out of coming over to see what was being done.

Apparently, her friend was sensitive to her feelings and expected that Felicity preferred to be alone.

Norman greeted her at the door. “The men are almost finished with the parlor walls and paint. They will begin relocating furniture from the dining room in there.”

“I will make myself scarce then and remain upstairs.” Felicity turned to the stairs only to stop. “Norman, you know all that happens in this house; therefore, I must inform you that I am very angry with Mr. Macleod today. I am not sure if he will come home tonight. If he does, tell him I prefer he stay in Grant’s side of the upstairs.”

The butler’s expression did not change. “Of course, Mrs. Macleod.”

“Oh and no tea or dinner. I’ve eaten twice already and am very full.”

She climbed the stairs, exhaustion seeming to pull on her legs. Instead of pouting in the bedroom, she went to the now christened Green Room and directly to the large windows. The room faced the side of the house, giving her a glimpse of the road leading up to the house, and in the distance, a view of the edges of Glasgow. She closed her eyes for a few moments, hoping to regain some semblance of control over her thoughts.

Why had Evan met with Sorcha? Was it possible they made some sort of agreement so that when she returned from her travels, they could be together again?

As much as she enjoyed bedsport, Felicity figured she was lacking in experience, which obviously Sorcha was well versed in.

The fear of being inadequate, which had followed her like a shadow all her life, surged until she had to take deep breaths and sit.

According to her mother, she was to allow Evan to explain. At the moment, she could not fathom even being in the same room with him.