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His eyes narrowed, almost violent. “They’re thugs! I’m in danger!”
Self-centred, for a variation, she thought. “Where’s father?” Charles didn’t think about the man that kept taking him out of trouble.
“Don’t know. He’s hidden away for days…in his cups, you know.”
“Mama died in agony because of the problems you caused, father’s on the way to that. Damage enough, I’d say.”
He advanced on her, fury on his countenance. “If I’m cleared, I won’t go back to it. I promise.”
She kept her ground “You promised the same repeatedly before and didn’t keep your word!” Her hands flew to her waist. He stood close to her, his hands fisted.
“You have so much! You’ve become selfish!”
“No. You’re selfish because you don’t think about those around you.” She devolved. “If I pay your endless gambling debts, I’ll be helping the gambling, not you.”
He blinked twice, as if her words downed on him. “They might kill me!”
“You had several chances, there’s nothing I can do to really help your problem.”
“I’ll introduce you to a couple of ‘friends’. They’ll convince you.” His eyes shone bad intentions.
She wouldn’t show fear, not to him. Not to anybody. “You can do whatever you want. Dead, I’m of no use to you. Threats won’t solve your problems.”
“Is this your final decision?”
“Yes. You’ve damaged enough of my life.” She hardened not to show her growing fear. “Now if you please.” She pointed to the door.
“You b…” He raised his arm.
“You heard the lady, Eastwell!” Philip entered looking ready for a brawl. Brave Selene! His Selene! She stood there, the dignity of a queen.
Charles looked at him with disdain and chuckled unpleasantly. “You know what they say about you two, don’t you, Crompton.”
“I don’t know and I don’t care!”
Charles didn’t stop though. “They say you’re the smartest devil in town because you have your own live-in widow!” And laughed ugly.
Widows were famous for providing…solace to young “eager” bachelors at that time.
Philip heard Selene gasp affronted. He felt a contemptuous red-hot ferocity surface in him. He moved to thrash the idiot blind.
“His is not worth it, Your Grace.” Came Selene’s serene voice.
His rage immediately subsided. “You’re right, Your Grace.” He answered. He rang for the footmen, who came at once and evicted the despicable man. Charles left looking disgruntled.
“Are you alright?” Philip asked Selene. He inhaled deep to calm down; their eyes met. And held.
It felt like loads of things transmitted in this exchange. He merged in her vivid green pools and hers in his for long moments. He wanted to stride there, take her in his arms and offer her his support. She looked shaky, a sadness about her. He understood now. Her sacrifice, her disappointments, her smashed expectations as a debutante. A sense of pride bubbled in him for her courage and endurance, never once going off her path, despite it all. A strong, ethical woman he had there in front of him! He wanted to keep her here, with him. For as long as she willed to stay.
“I’ll survive.” She answered stoically.
Looking at him, so worried and protective, she wanted him to enfold her in his tall, broad body and let her stay there forever. Then he could carry her to his bed and make her forget everything, even her name. Especially her name. They’d immerse in a world solely theirs, made for the senses and delights.
Breaking eye contact, she diverted her stare shyly. “Thank you.” She said simply.
He smiled faintly. “My pleasure.” The last word pronounced so huskily, it changed meaning.
He had such a beautiful smile. Yet, he smiled so little. She wondered why. Maybe the early loss of his parents had made him a stern boy, too aware of the hard realities of life. She wished he smiled more.
