Just as Miss Clifton finished her recitation, Mrs. Rutley entered, carrying a tray.
“I’ll leave Miss Clifton to pour,” she said before leaving the room once more.
“And what of your mother, my lord?” Miss Clifton asked as she poured him a cup of tea. “Where does she reside?”
“With her sister in Devon,” Nicholas replied, accepting the teacup. “I understand that her days now consist of attending as many social gatherings as possible and volunteering in a number of charities.”
“And do you miss her?”
“Oh, yes, very much so,” Nicholas replied. “But I’m pleased she’s happy.”
Miss Clifton’s teacup clinked as she placed it back in its saucer. “Is there something troubling you, my lord? Perhaps you have something you would like to share?”
Nicholas let out a sigh. “I do want to share something that you may find difficult to believe. But I ask that you listen, for it’s for your own safety.”
Miss Clifton frowned. “Go on.”
“I’m hosting a masquerade ball, and there is a man who will be in attendance, one with whom I must make a particular business agreement. He’s an evil man, one I would prefer you—or any other woman, for that matter—never encounter.” Seeing her frown deepen, he quickly added, “Please understand, he would never dare to entrap a young lady of means such as yourself. Rather he is…” His words trailed off. How did one explain his disgust for Lord Tulk without saying too much?
Sitting up straighter, Miss Clifton said, “An evil man you say? Well, that certainly explains a great deal.”
Nicholas shook his head. “I beg your pardon?”
“Rather than be candid with me and say you have an interest in another woman, you come here with an elaborate tale about the reason I should not be invited to your ball. Then you tell me you’re entertaining the idea of engaging in business with an ‘evil man’ or so you put it.”
Nicholas raised a hand. “Miss Clifton, if you would allow me to explain.”
But she did not. Instead, her voice rose, and her eyes narrowed. Nicholas recalled a sermon once concerning the Apocalypse. One of the horses went forth and destroyed all in its path. That was how he imagined the anger that confronted him at this very moment.
“There is no need to explain,” she said. “After all, I’m simply a naive schoolgirl, without a whit of intelligence in this tiny little brain of mine.” She rose from her seat, glaring down at him like he was a slug on her favorite tomato plant. “I’m finished with you looking down on me, my lord. You’ve made it clear that I’m slow-minded, and perhaps I am. But I’ll say one thing.” She pointed an accusatory finger at him, her cheeks white with rage. “At least I have the courage to speak the truth!”
He stood, gaping down at her. “But I did tell the truth!”
“Did you?” she asked, her arms on her hips and fire in her eyes. “And what of this lady with luxurious dark hair who bragged about your party? Is it because she’s far more beautiful than I? How is it she may attend and risk being in the company of this evil man, and I cannot?”
Nicholas felt as if he had been struck. His mind raced as he tried to piece together all she had said.
“Miss Clifton…” he began, but she forestalled him.
“No, I have accepted you first called on me with a questionable motive,” she said with a shake of her head. “Even you admitted as much. But you’ve yet to explain clearly what that motive was. And now you come with another excuse why I mustn’t attend this gathering of yours.” She took a step forward, her eyes like flames. “You say the world can hurt me? Well, I’m here to tell you that the hurt I’ve endured was caused by you.”
She turned to Miss Dunston. “Louisa, we’re done here. And good day to you, my lord!”
With that, she lifted her skirts angrily and moved to walk past him.
Nicholas’s mind raced. The only lady that fit the description Miss Clifton gave was Lady Ayles. He knew the moment she reentered his life that she would be nothing but trouble. But as Miss Clifton walked away, a sudden fear came over him. If this young lady left the room, he would never see her again, andthatwas not something he could have happen.
“Wait, Miss Clifton,” he said, grabbing her arm and turning her around. “Please don’t go. You must hear me out.”
Nicholas held his breath. Would she agree? Or would she step from his life forever?
To his relief, she nodded, and breath entered his lungs again. He was given one chance, and he would not ruin it!
Chapter Twelve
Jenny was still reeling in disbelief. How could the earl have lied as he did? She had offered him friendship when she would have preferred more. He clearly wanted neither. Not while he had that beautiful creature in his sights. Who was she to contend with that?
She had been willing to give him another chance. And now, she felt as naïve as the person he thought her to be.