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“You blame me for his heartbreak? I was not the one who used him as a convenient means of escape. I was not the one who encouraged him to think he had a real chance with you. And I certainly was not the one kissing him in the garden that morning.”
“You know why I—” Horrified, she clamped her mouth shut.
He took a step closer. “Yes, Sabrina. I know exactly why you did it. And I know why you run from me at every turn.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “But I am not like him.”
What she saw in his eyes made her quake inside and out. She backed away. “I said far too much that night. I made the mistake of being honest with you, of hoping that you would have the decency to—”
“Hallo! I say, Lady Sabrina!”
The jovial greeting startled her, and she turned to see Lord Fairford striding toward them across the lawn.
Montgomery frowned as he drew near. “What are you doing here?”
Ignoring his rudeness, Fairford smiled. “Like you, I received an invitation to the event. I would have arrived sooner, but I was detained by a business matter.”
Again, Sabrina noted that his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Is Miss Bidewell not with you today?” she inquired politely.
“I’m afraid I’ve had to come on my own, as she is indisposed. A shame, really. Such a perfect day for a picnic. Couldn’t ask for better. But I’m glad to see you out and about.” His smile changed to a look of reproach. “I cannot tell you how disappointed I’ve been over the fact that you’ve yet to visit Wollaton Park, my lady. I do recall inviting you.”
Such was the awkwardness of the moment with the two men facing each other that she was at a loss for words. Her heart sank right down to the toes of her silk slippers. Montgomery would surely make some insinuating remar
k.
But he only stared at her inscrutably for a long moment before bowing. “If you will excuse me, I must find Sheffield. I promised him a game of bowls.”
She didn’t bother to disguise her shock as he turned and walked away, his step as jaunty as if he hadn’t a care in the world, as if he hadn’t just been rebuffed. The breeze carried back the fading strains of a cheerful melody—he was whistling!
Bewildered, she turned to her new companion.
“Shall we rejoin the festivities?” offered Fairford, holding out his arm.
MONTGOMERY DID NOT call the following day.
Nor the day after that.
For an entire week, there was nothing. No notes, no messages, no surprise visits.
Nothing.
Sabrina’s eyes sought him everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found. Finally, she humbled herself enough to inquire of her mother.
“He’s gone to his estate to take care of some important business.”
“He has left London?”
Her mother smiled archly. “Interesting that you should ask after his whereabouts.”
“I merely wondered at his sudden absence. After all, he’s practically spent his every waking moment here until only recently. I’m surprised he didn’t start receiving his daily post at our address,” she said with all the sarcasm she could muster.
Fairford must have gotten wind of his rival’s seeming abdication as well, for she soon began receiving invitations to social gatherings from him.
And on the third day, gifts began arriving. The first was a book of French poetry, the second a quarter-scale, hand-carved, ivory-and-onyx chess set. Nestled in a carved mahogany case inlaid with pearl and precious stones, it was a present worthy of royalty. For traveling, the accompanying note said.
At her mother’s insistence, the gifts, along with polite regrets, were returned. An invitation to a garden party to be held in three days’ time at Wollaton Park, however, was deemed acceptable.
The days passed at a snail’s pace, the hands on the clock seeming to creep through the hours with unbearable slowness. The sound of carriage wheels on the drive caused Sabrina to rush to the window each time, only to be disappointed. Though she told herself that it was the anticipation of the party that slowed time’s progress, and that she looked for Fairford’s carriage, in her heart she knew the awful truth.
Why should I care that he’s gone? she thought angrily, vowing to leave the curtains untouched the next time. He’s only doing as I requested. I told him to leave me be, and he is. I ought to be grateful.
