Except you?
He thrust the thought aside, downing his wine and requesting a second from a passing footman. Or was it his third? He could not remember.
Sutton had seen him earlier and had kept her distance from him, although he had expected her to tell him of what newWallflower’s Guidesuggestion she was attempting this evening, not that he had seen her do anything new, he had not seen her do before.
Her continual ignoring of him grated, and he did not particularly like the feeling. She had always sought him out.
Mayhap it's time you chased her?
He sipped his drink, watching as Lord Ridley swooped her onto the floor for a lively country dance. The lanterns strung above the wooden makeshift outdoor ballroom floor, glistening under the moonlit night.
There was a little breeze, just enough to keep the heat at bay and make for a pleasant evening outdoors and dancing. He moved closer to the dance floor, watching Sutton. He knew he ought not to want to do such a thing, but he could not help himself.
He could not stay away, and nor did he want to. He needed to speak to her. Try to explain the truth of the letters six years ago. What he really needed was her bastard of a brother to declare the truth, so he could be forgiven.
So, Sutton could be married.
To him.
Speaking of the devil's spawn, Malcolm sauntered up to him, a smirk on his lips. "Watching my sister, I see. No luck then in turning her against me and getting her to believe your side of the story?" Malcolm chuckled, and Logan took a deep breath. Better that than laying the chap flat out on his ass.
"I think it is clear that Sutton and I, no matter what we may pronounce or declare to each other, are working toward being friends again. You ought to do the right thing by her and tell her the truth. That your foolish actions ruined all her hopes."
"They were not supposed to go past White's walls. I never intended them to leave the walls of the club and spread about London's drawing rooms. Hurting Sutton so publicly was never my intention."
"You took them from my library, and she believes I did such a heinous thing. You need to state the truth and own up to what you did to her, intentionally or not."
"And have a pompous lord such as yourself as my brother-in-law? You must be joking. At Eton, you were so sure of yourself, inviting your titled friends to your home on holidays, leaving those who were not to rot alone on their estates."
Logan glared down at Malcolm, disliking his tone. "You ruined your sister's life, a possible marriage to an earl because you were jealous you did not get invited to a house party at my estate when we were boys?"
Malcolm lifted his chin, a petulant look upon his face. "I would not be so pathetic."
Logan studied him, wondering if that was indeed the reason Malcolm had turned against him. Years of jealousy and annoyance over situations that occurred when they were but boys. "My parents were concerned with whom I was friends with and the connections I could make before graduating Eton. All the choices were those of my parents. Who they believed would give me affluent friends and connections later in life. I did not get to choose. If I had the choice, I would have invited you to my estate. You were my friend."
Malcolm looked a little put back at his words, and Logan could not believe what he was starting to think. "You did not steal Sutton's letters as payback to me. Tell me that is not true."
His once closest friend remained quiet. "What does it matter if I did? Sutton is past the embarrassment of that Season, and you will end your association with her now. She's caught the eye of Lord Ridley, and he suits her very well. What is between us shall stay in the past where it belongs, your feelings for my sister along with it," Malcolm stated, pleased with himself.
"And what if I have something to say about that, Malcolm?" Sutton's voice sounded behind them.
Logan spun, viewing the shock and devastation on Sutton's face. He had an overwhelming urge to go to her and hold her close. Now that she knew the truth of the past and the lies her brother had perpetrated to keep his part in her downfall secret, she would need all the support she could get.
Sutton glared at her brother, but he could see her eyes were welling with tears. Logan did not say a word, knowing it was not his place. He had tried to get Malcolm to tell the truth six years ago, to no success, and at the beginning of this Season. The man deserved the fall that was coming to him, but he was certain Sutton would forgive him in time. He was her brother, after all.
"Sutton," he squealed, Malcolm's voice overly high. "I did not see you there."
"Obviously not." She turned to Logan, pinning him to the spot. He fought the urge to squirm. He had nothing to be ashamed of. He had never done anything wrong other than leaving her letters on his desk. "It seems I owe you an apology, my lord. I blamed you for my downfall when it was my brother after all." She took a calming breath, and he could tell she was fighting back tears. "I have treated and spoken of you so poorly, and you deserved none of it."
Logan reached out, taking her hand. She pulled away, frowning. "No, do not be kind to me. I have not been kind to you. As for my brother, how dare you do such a thing to me. Your own sister. You lied to my face, and because of that, I lost my one chance of a happy marriage. Lord Jersey tried to tell me the truth, and I dismissed him, believing my family. What a stupid fool he must think me, and you, Malcolm must think me a simpleton too for believing your tales. I shall never forgive you."
Logan cringed, knowing this was Malcolm's biggest fear. For all his stupidity that led to the letters being released to theton, he did adore and love his sister.
"I'm sorry, Sutton. I only wanted to embarrass Lord Jersey, never you, but the members of Whites ran with the letters, and I could not get them back. By the following morning, they were all over town, and I could not halt your fall. I know I do not deserve your forgiveness."
"No, you do not," she stated, turning on her heel and leaving them both in her wake.
Logan watched her go before he chased after her. He could not leave her alone at this time. She would be confused and hurt, and therefore vulnerable. He would at least get her home where she could tumble through her thoughts and cry if she needed.