Page 93 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

Reese’s eyes squinted in the direction of his butler.

“My mother is still in residence? I thought she would have fled for London the moment her duties were completed.”

“Nay, m’lord. I believe she is concerned. As we all are.”

Belle barked as if to say she was also concerned. She had not moved from her post by his side except for a few trips out to see to nature’s call.

“Very well. I guess I shall bathe and dress for luncheon.” It wasn’t that he wished to do any of those things, but he couldn’t keep on as he had been. He would soon grow concerned himself.

Perhaps he would make a good showing at the meal so his mother could go on her way, and then Reese could visit Shay or Finn. Some time away from Slains would do him well. It was as if the castle held tight to the specter of Harlow. Though she was not a ghost, pretend or otherwise, she haunted him still.

Reese felt some bit better as he came down from his room. His head and stomach still complained, but it was surely nothing a meal and some coffee would not quell.

His mother was already seated when he arrived.

“You look somewhat better,” she said.

“I feel better. Somewhat.”

“Do you?” she asked tilting her head.

“I’m working on it,” he admitted. “It will take some time to mend everything.” His heart had shattered and he wasn’t certain he still owned all the pieces needed to make it whole again.

“You miss her,” his mother stated as the meal was served.

Reese drank down half the cup of coffee before responding with a shrug.

“We knew it was only temporary.”

His mother set down her cutlery rather loudly and huffed.

“You are a fool if you do not plan to do something to win the girl back.”

“She doesn’t wish to marry me,” Reese defended.

“And you know this because you asked her?”

“I did. Or rather I attempted to. Once.” He didn’t need to go into the details. The point was that Harlow had rejected him.

“Had you asked immediately after you compromised her? Women don’t like feeling like a responsibility.”

Reese’s eyes shot wide, which did not help his head.

“Whatever do you mean?” he attempted to defend her accusations, but his mother only waved him off.

“Please. I heard the woman sneaking out of your chambers nearly every night. It was as if you were on your honeymoon for as often as she visited. And that’s not even considering the night you knocked over the vase.”

“Had you planned to catch us?”

“Of course not. You were both just terribly bad at sneaking about.”

“You didn’t say anything. I would have thought—”

“That I would have called you out and forced you to wed the girl? We both know that method did not go well for either of us. You refused and I lost your trust. Besides, I didn’t think I would have to resort to such machinations, for you love her and she loves you.”

“But she hates me.”

“Pish. She doesn’t hate you. It was a blow for her to think you had used her, but you must tell her the truth. Make sure she hears all of your truth. She will forgive you. I’m sure of it.”