“Howarethe children?”
“They don’t know. I’ve told them Mama has gone to stay with a friend and threatened the staff with dismissal if they breathe a word to any of them. I’ll have to tell them eventually, but not yet.”
Robert nodded. “I’m so sorry, old man.”
Ashford sat up and looked at him frowning. “Just tell me you’ve made it up with Sarah?”
Robert shook his head.
Ashford groaned. “Why the hell not? And don’t tell me you’re not crazy in love with her because you fucking are!”
“I know, I’m an idiot!”
“Well, I told you that!”
“The trouble is, I don’t think she loves me,” said Robert in a hollow voice.
Ashford snorted. “You’re a double idiot!” He poked Robert in the chest. “She’s been in love with you from the first!”
“No.” Robert shook his head mournfully. “You’re wrong. I behaved dreadfully. My cursed bad temper—”
“Blind, stupid idiot!” The viscount hauled himself out of bed and went to the washstand where he poured water into the bowl and plunged his head in it.
Dripping water, he groped for a towel, which Robert handed to him, and drying his face he said in a muffled voice, “Everyone can see she loves you—except you!”
Robert stared at him. “How do you know?”
Emerging from the towel, he scrubbed his hair, making it stand on end. “The way she looks at you, the way her eyes follow you round the room, the way she defends you. A million things.”
Robert groped for a chair and sat down. “Oh, God!” he groaned, putting his head in his hands. “I’m such a fool!”
Ashford rubbed behind his ears and said, “Well, you’d best get back to her then, hadn’t you? And for fuck’s sake, tell her how you feel!” he said to Robert’s retreating back.
At the door, Robert turned. “If there is anything I can do about the situation with Caro—?”
“There is. Return to town with Sarah, your mother, and Ava, and carry on as if nothing happened at The Castle. Once thetonfigures out we’re friends again, I at least won’t be a pariah. There isn’t much anyone can do to save Caro from the scandal she is determined to make.”
“Will you divorce her? You’ll have grounds.”
A spasm of pain crossed the viscount’s face. “If I can’t persuade her to come back for the children’s sakes, probably. She wants to marry Greathouse.” He swallowed hard.
“I’ll support your petition in the House of Lords,” he said, coming back to his friend’s side. “Ravenshaw and Pendrell will, as well.” He hugged the other man. “I’m sorry I hit you.”
“So am I,” said Ashford with feeling.
Robert grimaced and slapped him on the arm affectionately. “And bloody shave and get a haircut. You look like the devil!”
“Go and fix your marriage you grumpy-arsed marplot!” said the viscount with a half-smile and punch to the shoulder. “And give Sarah my regards.”
“I will.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Robert returned toBerkeley Square intending to have some breakfast before he returned to The Castle, but he was met with the intelligence that a female was waiting in the front parlor to speak with him.
The expression of disapproval on Creighton’s face as he said this was marked enough to raise the hairs on the back of Robert’s neck.
“Thank you.”
