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“I am sure I will gather the courage eventually,” he said. “Even so, I doubt Lady Clifton or Her Grace are interested in seeing my face any time soon, as well they shouldn’t.” He paused, wondering how much of his feelings to admit before deciding that laying himself entirely bare. “I was hoping to prove my sincerity first. If I can rehabilitate myself and my family name in the eyes of society, they may be more amenable to hearing me out. Forgiveness must be earned.”
Lady Aircourt stared at him without speaking, and James fidgeted under her calculating gaze. “You… are serious,” she finally said, her mouth parting in confusion.
He gave a curt nod in response, hope blooming that she would finally understand. “This is my first step in achieving that goal. I was also hoping that you might render some aid.”
“You want me to help you?” Her face melted into disbelief once more.
It did sound ridiculous when said out loud, but he had no other option than to throw himself at her mercy. “I do.”
She laughed, of all things. “The audacity of you, Lord Dalton. I’m almost impressed.” She put a hand on her chest and calmed, but mirth still shone in her eyes. “Please, leave my home. I have far too much on my plate to care about your sudden change of heart.”
James grimaced. “I’ve been thinking about this for a very long time.” In fact, the topic had been all he’d thought for the entirety of his banishment. But it was only natural she and everyone who hadn’t been involved would see his actions as that of a selfish fortune hunting scoundrel, just as his father had been.
As if to confirm his thoughts, Lady Aircourt snorted in a rather unladylike manner. “You ruined two perfectly wonderful young ladies for nothing more than your greed, and you expect me to believe that you are truly contrite? Perhaps you merely wish to rehabilitate yourself enough to procure another victim? I am sure the viscounty did only more poorly in the years before your father’s death.”
James sighed, cold resignation tightening his chest. This had been a mistake. “I can see you will not be convinced. Good day, Lady Aircourt.”
“Good day, Lord Dalton.” She gave him one final dismissive tilt of her head and picked up her teacup, a signal that their conversation was at an end.
Feeling bleaker than he had in a good long while, James turned and left the room.
Whatever would he do now?
