Facing direct questions and finding the diplomacy to answer them after a bottle of sherry were less than ideal. She put a hand to her head, resting her cup and saucer on her lap. “For two reasons. The last thing she needs is any reminders of William.”
“Ah.”
“And second, I am trying to protect you.”
He snorted a laugh.
“Shh.”
“Sorry. But what from? You’ve said it yourself. The only way I might be freer to do as I pleased is if I were the offspring of a duke or royalty.”
“True.” Bitterness rang in the word, and she raised her head to glare at him. “However, my thought was to protect you from your cronies finding you, your creditors finding you, temptation finding you, and so on.”
He nodded, and his shoulders dropped an inch. “I see. Thank you.”
After finishing her tea, she asked the question that had plagued her all evening until the sherry took over. “How did you fare yesterday?”
“Quite well, actually.” He grinned. “Of course, it was not a happy day, but I doubt William was all that broken up at losing his father. There had been little love lost between them in recent years. As for me, I admit to craving whisky at one point, butoverall I was rather proud of myself. Of course, we did not go to the public house; he asked that we meet there tomorrow.”
“That sounds like a good start, though.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to take daily walks in the neighborhood if I am going to remain hidden away whilst Lady Charlotte is here?”
“I suppose you’ve earned your shoe rights back,” she conceded. “Although, the outing for drinks will be your true test.”
“I suspect there will be several of those along the way.”
After he let himself out of the room to sneak down the back stairs, Belle lingered in bed, pensive. It appeared as though her assigned project—the only framework she had for her interaction with Luke—was nearing an end. Charlotte’s sadness echoed in her heart. For all her restraint, losing her housemate would hurt.
Chapter Fourteen
Inordinately proud ofhaving earned his shoe privileges back, Luke hastened through breakfast to take his walk.
The alone time worked like the assigned chores had, freeing his mind to think about his new plan. He craved Belle’s thoughts on it, but that was not possible for a few days with Charlotte visiting.
He knew what heshoulddo, but he needed to take this one step at a time so he did not fall back on old habits. Belle’s support had gotten him this far, and he welcomed the crutch while he had it. But it wouldn’t be there past the next fortnight in all likelihood, so he must begin implementing changes on his own.
The next afternoon, he settled back into the comfortable carriage with a sigh. He’d mastered one outing; surely he could handle a second one. He’d even earned shoe privileges. Imagine what he might get if he navigated this evening successfully.
As the carriage slowed at the men’s favored pub, his nerves returned. Other than guzzling the altar wine or frisking someone for a flask, he hadn’t had access to drink. Tonight he’d be lingering within easy reach of bottles and bottles of delicious temptation.
Inching into the pub, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the low light. Their preferred corner table was empty. He was the first to arrive. How easy it would be to order and gulp a glass of golden nectar before his friends appeared.
His hands fisted. Perhaps he’d wait outside. The place reeked of spilled beer, burned tobacco, and old grease from the kitchen—all among his favorite aromas these past months.
Straightening his spine, he strode over and plunked down on the bench. He’d hold the table for his friends and control himself, like the mature adult he was attempting to be.
Nate arrived moments later and looked surprised he had not already ordered their drinks. When he raised a hand to the barmaid, Luke stopped him and gestured her over. “A cider for me today, please.”
Nate stared, his eyes wide. Both friends knew Luke’s distaste for cider or any sweet drink.
“I’ll explain when Will is here. Tell me what you’ve been doing. I know I’ve been... unreachable.”
They discussed Nate’s specialized metal products and new inventions by his business partners while waiting for William.
Their drinks arrived. Luke took a tentative sip. Nasty as ever, coating his tongue. He waited for his belly to warm with contentment as it did with whisky. Instead, it rolled, reminding him of his first days at Belle’s, when he could barely stand the smell of food. He lowered the mug to the table. As usual, Belle had been correct—drinking cider slowed him down even if his self-control did not.
William arrived, and Nate and Luke rose to hug him and exchange words of sympathy there had not been time for at his father’s service.
