AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I shall see you again soon,” he called, grinning. “If not here, then certainly in London.”
Such presumption! “I shall be sure to tell my cousin to look for you,” she called back, hoping she sounded cheery. She would warn Charles about him at the first opportunity.
Sorin chose that mo
ment to lengthen his stride, forcing her to almost run to keep up. A faint, smothered sound beside her made her look up at him. His lips were quivering. The devil was laughing! “And what has you so amused?” She winced. That had come out as sour as lemon juice.
“That young man looked quite put out at my intrusion. I do hope I was not interrupting anything of import?”
“Not at all,” she said, discomfited to find her face growing hot beneath his gaze. “Sir Yarborough and I were merely becoming reacquainted.”
He held her eyes a moment longer before looking away. “I admit I was surprised to see you behaving so amicably toward him. As I recall, you both spent much of your youth at odds. I suppose it is yet another mark of your maturity that you’re able to set aside the past and conduct a civil conversation with an old enemy. I do hope such patience extends to those you consider your friends.” Before she could compose a reply, he stopped and faced her, his voice lowering to a quiet rasp. “I could not fail to notice your cool demeanor toward me this morning, Ellie.”
Despite having every intention of concealing her hurt, it poured out unchecked. “Mine? What of yours? I might as well have been made of glass the way you looked right through me. I’ve never felt so small and inconsequential, or so—”
“Such was not my intent, I assure you.”
“Well, it certainly seemed so from my perspective.” Her voice shook almost as much as her knees. He was near enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his hazel eyes. The silence stretched as, to her amazement, he appeared to struggle for words.
“I had no right to question your judgment,” he finally said. “I can only ask your forgiveness and promise you it will never happen again. As for this morning, I was quite simply at a loss as to how to conduct myself in your presence after my egregious behavior. Please accept my most humble apology for both offenses.”
After a moment, she realized her mouth was hanging open. “Of course,” she answered weakly, flabbergasted by his awkward admission.
“Thank you,” he said with evident relief. “You must understand, I spoke only out of concern for you. I had no way of knowing you’d looked to me as any sort of example.”
She couldn’t help smiling. “A young lady could do no better,” she told him, her spirits rising as he smiled back. The shadow over her heart returned, however, when it faded after only a moment. “Come,” she said quickly, taking his arm once more. “Let us put our silly little misunderstanding behind us. The sun is out, the sky is blue, and I’m quite over it.”
“It gladdens me to hear you say it,” he said, his smile returning as they proceeded onward.
“So, is it to be a necklace, a ring, or a brooch?” she asked, anxious to move to a safe topic.
His face went blank for an instant before he answered. “My mother’s birthday. Yes. A brooch would do nicely I think.”
Clearly, his “gift” had been nothing more than a contrivance to get her away from Yarborough. He’d always been protective, and Yarborough had overstepped a boundary when he’d refused to let her go. That Sorin had so readily leaped to her defense elicited a feeling of great warmth and happiness.
“Or perhaps a ring might be a better choice,” he said, glancing at her sidelong. “I’ve marked how much women seem to like rings.”
Despite the sunshine, a chill settled over her. Perhaps he is considering a ring for Caroline…best to dissuade him of that idea! “Then again, maybe she already has so many rings that another might not be considered special.” She watched him carefully, looking for any clue as to what was going on inside his head.
But his face remained inscrutable. “As I have little expertise in the area of selecting gifts for ladies, I shall bow to your superior perspective.”
“Rubbish,” she chided, her disappointment turning to delight at having been provided a perfect opening to change the subject. “You underestimate yourself, as usual. The gifts you sent me from abroad never failed to bring me great pleasure. I especially liked the clever little puzzle box you sent me last Christmas.” Inside, nestled on a bed of fragrant exotic herbs, had been a miniscule ivory elephant encrusted with tiny, sparkling gems. It was one of her most prized possessions not because of its value but because of the thoughtfulness it represented. She’d once mentioned how very much she wanted to see an elephant.
“I’m gratified to know you enjoyed it so much.” He stopped. “I wonder if perhaps…”
She turned to face him. “Yes?”
“I don’t wish to impose, but would you consider accompanying me to Rundell & Bridge’s when we arrive in London? I cannot help thinking it would be better to have a woman’s opinion while making my selection.”
A telltale shifting from foot to foot belied a nervousness she’d never before observed in him. Oh no! He is considering a ring for Caroline! Why else would he ask her best friend to accompany him to a jeweler’s? “I would be more than happy to accompany you. And I’m sure Rowena will be equally delighted at the prospect of such an outing, although I doubt my cousin will share her enthusiasm.”
“I’m sure she’ll be able to convince Ashford otherwise—provided she is not already engaged elsewhere.”
Heart in her throat, she forced out her next inquiry. “What of Caroline?”
He frowned. “What of her?”
“Well, should she not come along as well?”
