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“All the same, it would be better if you were not out alone. Let me escort you…” he paused, his eyebrows rising.
“I am staying at an Inn nearby. You needn’t trouble yourself.” She waved her other hand and made to open the gate.
But his larger hand came down on top of hers. “I insist.”
With a nod, she allowed him to finish swinging open the wrought iron door and then, with a hand at her back, begin walking her down the street. She likely should be worried that he’d discover she stayed with Matthew but she couldn’t bring herself to care. It would matter little when she worked at the orphanage and it felt wrong to be next to anyone but Matthew. “Really, Lord Michaels, you should return to your horse. I shall be fine.”
“Nonsense, besides, I’ve been wondering how to speak with you again and now, here you are.” He tucked her hand into his elbow. “My mother would very much like to meet you and I am hoping that you will consent to meeting her.”
“Oh.” She started, her body jumping in shock. “That is so kind of her.”
“I know you are grieving, and that you’ll need time.” He pulled her a touch closer, though she was trying to resist. “But I can’t help feeling that we were meant to meet.”
She took a breath, wondering what to say. His interest had not occurred to her. Studying Lord Michaels, she could see he was handsome, and he’d been nice, of course. But she didn’t feel anything like she felt with Matthew. “You’re so…kind,” she said as they reached the inn. “I am sure I would love to meet your mother at some point, but I…” Words failed her again. How could she say I’ve no intention of meeting her, or marrying you. I’ve already decided to commit myself to the care of orphans? She wanted to offer those vulnerable beings the sense of security she’d missed before she met Matthew.
“Ella?” Matthew’s voice rumbled through her and her head jerked to her right. He was striding toward them in the morning light. “What are you doing out here?” Relief to see him made her near limp but something in his stance worried her. He radiated tension as he glared at Lord Michaels, his brow furrowed and his look black.
Lord Michaels gave a chuckle. “I asked her the same question when I saw her by the park.”
Matthew growled. “Quite right.” As he reached them, his hand grasped her other elbow. “I should escort you inside.”
With a nod, she unthreaded her hand from Lord Michaels’s arm.
But Michaels wasn’t done. “What a coincidence, all of us meeting outside this inn.” He gave her a quizzical glance. “I would have thought you were staying with Lady Sussex or Her Grace.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat at a complete lose as to what to say. It wasn’t that she gave a fig about her reputation but it seemed ridiculous to disclose that she was currently living with Matthew. It was beyond scandalous.
“She is staying here with her chaperone,” Matthew said.
Michaels nodded and relief washed through
her. She edged closer to Matthew, eager to be done with this conversation. “Thank you for escorting me, Lord Michaels.”
He nodded and turned to go but then spun back around to her. “If you decide you’d like to join my family for dinner, please send word through Her Grace.” He leaned down then and kissed her gloved hand. “I anxiously await your missive.”
Matthew growled next to her. It was deep and guttural and then he was propelling her into the inn and up the stairs. His body was rigid, his posture stiff, but she honestly didn’t quite understand why. She had no intention of going. Michaels meant nothing to her.
And honestly, even angry, she was glad to be near Matthew again. She’d been worried.
But she remained quiet as they made their way upstairs. Matthew liked to think in silence and she was sure he would reason it out.
As they entered the room, he closed the door with a resounding thud. “What were you doing with him?”
She blinked. “I thought it obvious. I went out for a walk and happened upon him by accident.”
He growled again. “I don’t believe you. It’s too much a coincidence.”
That made her start and for the first time, she was nervous about what she might say to Matthew. “Don’t be silly. Of course it was. I just wanted some time to think and I—”
“And you happened upon the very man who most wants to court you.” His body was set in rigid lines.
Swallowing down her worry, she stepped closer to him, somehow his proximity soothed her, even when he was angry. “Please, Matthew.” She reached out to touch him. “I was worried when I woke and you weren’t here. I just…” What could she say to ease his fears?
Ella’s words did soothe Matthew, at least a little. It was logical. He hadn’t thought she might worry if she woke alone. But of course, she’d be nervous. She’d given him her maidenhead outside of marriage.
Other doubts still whispered in his ear. The ones that said, if he wasn’t careful, it would happen again. Sarah had been meeting with another man while he was away. She’d needed a well-connected husband. But he would have cared for her. And here was Ella, with another man, the kind who could give her a real future. “Of course,” he said, then moved away from her again.
Crossing the room to the table, he picked up a bit of toast off one of the plates.
