“Yes, less than an hour ago.”
Clayton lifted an eyebrow. “And you came here, instead of going straight home?”
James flushed. “It’s not as if I have good news to bring. I know Isolde isn’t enamoured of the man, but my parents like him, and they believe they’ve finally convinced her to accept him. She was going to be safe. Safe from gossip, and safe from men like you.”
That was a fair point. Clayton nodded.
“It goes without saying that I would never say a word to damage Lady Isolde’s reputation.”
James drew in a breath. “You said you loved her.”
Clayton stiffened. “I… how did you know that?”
“She confided in me. She is my sister, and she shares all her thoughts with me.”
“Ah. I see.”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
James sighed. “Well, is it true?”
Clayton considered lying. Lies had always come fairly easily to him. If he lied, then James would go home and tell Isoldewhat he had said, and then she would be safe. Safe from him, safe from heartbreak.
It was the kind thing to do.
Wasn’t it?
“I received this letter only a few hours ago,” Clayton said, holding up the black-sealed envelope from earlier. “It brings me news that my father is dead.”
James swallowed. “Oh. Oh, I am so sorry. I can’t imagine what you are going through.”
“No, you can’t imagine, because you love your father, and from what I hear, your parents are excellent. My father was… was something else. I suppose you’ve heard the rumours. I always swore never to marry, mostly to made him angry. I saw how he treated my mother, and then my stepmother. I see how unfortunate women are treated in Society. Even the highest women in the land are seen as somehow less if not connected to a man. It’s unfair, don’t you think?”
James cleared his throat, looking a little uncomfortable. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“Your sister, my Isolde, is the sort of woman my father would have loathed. And believe me, that is a compliment. I always dreaded I would end up like him one day, but the older I get, the more I understand that the way my father acted is a choice. It always was. He chose to hurt my mother, my stepmother, and me. He chose to cut me out of his will – I’m not particularly upset, by the way – and he chose to treat me the way he did. And I chose not to visit him as he was dying.”
James leaned forward. “Do you regret that?”
Clayton considered. “No, I don’t. I regret some things in life, like not telling Isolde myself about the wager. She deserved to hear it from me. I regret taking the wager, of course, but in some respects, I can’t regret it, because I would never have known her. The love I feel for Isolde is real, James. I think I’ll always loveher, regardless of whether she forgives me or not. I’m sorry, and I know that’s just a word, but I feel it. Truly.”
James seemed to be considering this. On cue, the door edged open, and Thomas appeared, carrying a tray of tea.
Clayton bit back a sigh. The valet determinedly placed the tea tray down, poured out two cups, and retreated.
Apparently, it wasn’t the worst idea in the world. More to break up the silence than anything else, both James and Clayton leaned forward and picked up their tea.
Clayton was sobering up at a rapid rate, and the hot tea helped to sharpen his senses further. James absent-mindedly helped himself to a biscuit.
“Isolde is acting strangely,” he said at last. “I don’t know what to do about it. I hate to admit it, but whenever she spent time with you, she was… she was happier. Much happier. And I love my sister, and I want to help her however I can. That’s what I want to know whether it was all a lie. Did you truly feel anything for her?”
“I loved her,” Clayton said again. “I loved her with all my heart, and I don’t think I will ever stop. I’m not good enough for her, not by a long shot. I’m a worthless man, and a rake, and she deserves better than me. Still, I love her.”
James nodded slowly. “Yes to all that, by the way. About you being worthless and not good enough for her.”
“Thank you for your honesty.”
