“Oh, ah, that is, I… I didn’t mean…”
The staff was talking about him. He knew they would. It was clear they did. And yet something about Fernsworth saying that now rubbed him wrong.
“No, Fernsworth, I’m afraid you haven’t said enough.” Sebastian offered a tight smile as he crossed his arms. “You have done much for me this afternoon. I think you can do one more thing. Three words, Fernsworth. What are people saying about me?”
The footman glanced over at the door like he might escape. And perhaps he would. “Er…”
“Strong? Bold? Rude? Brash? Soft?” He offered.
“Dangerous,” Fernsworth blurted before jerking back. He nearly dropped the box. He was redder than a summer strawberry. “They say you’re a fighter. You lived on the streets and befriended thieves, that you can’t be trusted and… I shouldn’t have said a word, Your Grace. A thousand apologies. Truly! Please, I need this, I can’t…”
Sebastian gave a sharp shake of his head that immediately silenced the bumbling fellow. “I won’t send you with your papers. But I would suggest you learn to watch your tongue. And should any other popular words come around… Let me know.”
Inching his way toward the doors, the footman nodded. “Very well, yes, Your Grace.”
He waited until there was a hand on the door. “And Fernsworth?”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“I am. I have lived on the streets of London,” Sebastian said as he came around his desk. “I befriended thieves, pickpockets, and the worst of the city. And whenever I am back in Town, I enjoy a good boxing game.”
Fernsworth blinked. “Ah.”
“Do you have a problem with that, working under my roof?”
Hastily shaking his head, Fernsworth stumbled out the door into the hall. “No, Your Grace, not at all! It’s a pleasure working here. Really,” he added eagerly.
Sebastian held back a sigh as he forced a smile. “I’m glad to hear it. Thank you for your assistance today, Fernsworth.”
And then he closed the door to give himself some peace.
Returning to his desk, Sebastian knew he shouldn’t have acted like that with Fernsworth. But those words bugged him. The judgement was a bother. It was something he had faced for most of his life, people assuming his nature. His size meant everything to everyone else. It only brought him trouble no matter if he was in the streets or in the comfort of his own home.
Not very comfortable, is it?
Nor had he done anything to make it better, Sebastian considered. He sighed. An apology was due to Fernsworth. Maybe he would go down in the morning to clear up matters.
His gaze caught on the papers. For one of the latter articles about the Ravenshaw scandal, they had noted Isabel’s name. The rest of the time it was only an elusive mention to certain family members. But on and on her presence was clear to him––she had attempted to proclaim her brother’s innocence until the evidence was piled too high against him. Where her parents stayed silent, she had spoken up about justice and second chances.
Throughout his reading, Sebastian kept hearing her alarmed shout of “No!” she had told her friend that morning.
What an absolute betrayal she faced this year. How alone she must have felt, not having her family at her side. Her brother committing illegal activities… No one was there for her. How could her friend not understand how she feels?
Sebastian stewed over this in a dark and heavy silence through the evening, rereading the newspapers and wondering what he could do to help his wife. If only he could go back in time, he thought, to have been there for her. A protective anger burned low in his chest as he considered what his options might be to take care of Isabel.
I will fix this for her. However I can, for us, I will fix everything.
CHAPTER 13
“Should we attend?”
Isabel bit her lip as her husband considered the dinner party invitation sent along to them by a neighboring estate in the county, Lord Hedgeworth and his wife.
With Christmas right around the corner, it wasn’t uncommon for her family to receive countless invitations whilst spending the winter out of the wet streets of London. She was used to them. But that was before the scandal, before her marriage, and before she had a husband to consider.
It’s rather exhausting sometimes, having to think of him. At least he is somewhat handsome with those brooding eyes.
Then Sebastian sniffed lightly before plucking a pair of reading glasses she hadn’t noticed before hanging from his waistcoat. She stilled, watching him handle the wires so delicately with hislarge hands. Something about the sight warmed her cheeks as she realized she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
