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“This is a private matter between father and son, my lady. And I need to speak to him alone.”
Aimee looked about to argue, but Westbury cut her off.
“Let him go, Aimee. I’m sure he has to tell his father what he did sooner or later.” He fixed Thomas with a harsh glare. “Preferably sooner, unless he wants to hear with everyone else.”
Thomas really felt threatened now. Both Westbury and Aimee were beginning to scare him. Giving both a stiff bow, he walked across the room to join his father and friend. Hawksworth turned and instantly frowned at the sight of his son.
“Are you alright, Thomas? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I need to speak to Mister Shore, Father. May we go outside?”
“Of course, but …”
“It’s urgent. I’ll explain later.” Thomas caught Pierce’s quizzical gaze. “Please?”
Frowning, Pierce nodded, and he followed Thomas out of the room. Thomas glanced back and saw Aimee looking annoyed. She looked as if she was going to follow them. Thomas grabbed Pierce’s arm.
“Is there somewhere we can go where we won’t be disturbed?” he murmured.
“Of course, but why?”
“I’ll explain once we’re safe. I need to get away from Aimee and her father.”
Pierce chuckled.
“Sounds like things are really messed up if you’re running away from her.”
“Pierce …”
“Alright, fine. We’ll go somewhere quiet.”
Pierce led them to the stairs, and they went up. Thomas glanced behind him, hoping that Aimee wasn’t watching where they were going, although he didn’t think she would be stupid enough to go up into the private quarters so publicly. Even so, it did make him nervous.
They were silent as they went onto the next floor and headed along the hallway to Pierce’s bedchamber. Sounds of the ball were muted as soon as Pierce shut the door. Then he turned to Thomas.
“Now are you going to tell me what’s going on, Thomas? You’re behaving oddly.”
“You mean aside from the fact I’ve been told that I’m going to marry Aimee no matter what I think?”
“Did she say that?”
“Yes.” Thomas braced himself. This was going to be difficult. “I’m in love with someone else, and she knows about it. Aimee refuses to let me go and is willing to ruin this woman’s reputation to get what she wants. But I want to break our courtship.”
Pierce blinked.
“You’re in love with someone else? How come I didn’t know about this? You always tell me everything.”
“This wasn’t exactly something I could tell you, given your current circumstances.”
“What are you talking about?”
Here it came. Thomas wasn’t comfortable about Pierce and Sophia being together, but it had to be done. Pierce needed to understand, and Thomas didn’t want to fight him.
“I’m in love with Sophia.”
Pierce’s mouth fell open. Then he shook himself.
“Forgive me; I think my mind went blank. I heard you say that you were in love with Sophia.”
