Adoration

Morgan rounded on her. ‘It is that ‘Morgan’ that has gotten Mariette into the state she is in. It is our willingness to turn a blind eye to her greed and malice and outright arrogance that has turned her into the veritable monster she is today. Well, I shall have no more of it. Father would be horrified if he could see what she has turned into. He would hang his head in shame at having that-’ he pointed one long finger at Mariette ‘-spitefully arrange for any guest under our roof to be physically assaulted like that. I am not going to tolerate that pure vileness for a second longer.’

Morgan turned to rake Mariette with a cold, hard look that was full of contempt. Mariette gasped and stepped backward. For once, the reality of her situation began to dawn on her. She stared at her mother, but Alicia was looking sadly at the floor and made no attempt to defend her. Morgan kept his gaze trained on Mariette. He knew that his tirade would be talked about by her friends. But he wanted them to hear everything. He wanted them to talk about it amongst their friends, their family, their connections at the next ball or dinner they attended. He wanted Mariette’s behaviour, and his reaction to her malice, to be talked about. He wanted people to understand that he would not tolerate that level of meanness toward Sissy.

‘You can’t do this to me,’ Mariette hissed, her eyes mean yet still tinged with arrogance.

Morgan lifted a brow. He sensed that Mariette wouldn’t believe it possible until it actually happened. ‘No? Well, one thing you should know about me, Mariette, is that I don’t make threats.’

With that, he promptly turned his back on her, stepped inside the house, and slammed the door in her face.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Morgan glared at Mariette’s guests.

‘The society you covet and deem exclusive to yourselves are going to hear about your involvement in the assault today. While I know none of you have had a part in the attack, I understand you have all been snidely gossiping and doing everything possible to spread malicious rumours about both Sissy and me. As Lord Campton, I take strong exception to any of you calling my conduct into question, or assuming that I would do something outrageous like having a mistress and instilling her in my home. Even though I don’t have to explain myself to you, I will inform you all now that Sissy is a long-standing family friend. She has come to the house today to take tea and does not deserve to be insulted, demeaned, belittled, or attacked by any of you. Sissy and her aunt have done nothing more heinous today than come and take tea with my mother. Now if any of you find anything offensive in that I should like to see you try to take on half the ton who all indulge in the same hedonistic behaviour. I, however, will contact my solicitor to take legal action against any of you should you engage in spreading any more malicious lies about me, Sissy, my mother, or Sissy’s aunt at any point in the future. Moreover, I know all your parents and will now take it upon myself to inform them all your disgraceful conduct. Do I make myself clear?’

Amidst a chorus of tearful and very worried acknowledgements, Morgan stalked toward the door and yanked it open. ‘Now, get out of my house and don’t come back. You are not to consider yourself invited to my wedding or any future social functions I hold here. Nor are you to accompany someone else who has been invited.’

Silently, Mariette’s guests filed out of the house. When they had gone, Morgan turned to face his mother, who was staring in disbelief at the door.

‘Get that spoilt child to Scotland, mother. As far as I am concerned, I don’t care if she never comes back.’

Sucking in a breath, Morgan turned an apologetic gaze on Sissy, who looked so fragile he suspected that one more loud word would shatter her into a thousand tiny pieces.

‘I think we should go,’ Norma announced quietly before he could say anything. She sidled protectively closer to Sissy, who had yet to take her gaze off the floor. ‘Thank you for your invitation today.’

‘I will arrange for the carriage to be brought around,’ Morgan offered quietly.

‘No. No, thank you. We are happy to walk. I think some fresh air is just what we need right now,’ Norma interrupted before firmly steering Sissy toward the door.

Sissy couldn’t feel her feet moving as she glided across the hallway. She dreaded the footman opening it, and seeing Mariette on the driveway, but had to get out of the house. Right now, all she could focus on was getting back to the relative safety of the house she had called home so she could cry like she wanted to. Later, she didn’t doubt that she would replay everything that had just happened in her mind. Right now, she daren’t think about it too much.

‘Sissy,’ Morgan murmured, reluctant to allow her to go until they had at least discussed what had happened.

Sissy watched the door open. The huge wrought iron gates standing at the end of the long, sweeping driveway looked like they were many miles away. Sissy knew that walking through them would effectively mean that a part of her life, a part of her past, was going to close behind her. She could never come back through those gates. Not ever. While she knew she was losing the last link to the past, her father, she was also losing a lot more. Far too much. Far more than she dared contemplate right now. She was losing Morgan, and that was more heart breaking than anything.

While her chest hurt and her heart ached, Sissy turned to face him. With utter grace and dignity, she curtseyed. ‘Thank you for the tea. I shall make sure that the dress is repaired and returned.’

‘Please let me arrange for the carriage to brought around,’ Alicia called after Norma, who was hurrying after her niece.

Norma offered Alicia a smile and shook her head. ‘No. No. It is very kind of you. You have been more than gracious to us already. Thank you

so very much for the tea and for allowing us the honour of your company once again. It was very good of you.’ She too dipped into a curtsey before hurrying off after her stoically silent niece.

As soon as she was on the driveway, Sissy lengthened her stride until she was walking as fast as she could without breaking into a run. She focused on the gate up ahead. She refused to look back. She wouldn’t – couldn’t – take another look at him. His image was indelibly printed in her mind anyway. As was his voice. Another look would just about undo her.

Despite her age, Norma fell into step beside her. For several long moments, neither of them spoke. There was nothing either of them could say.

Morgan watched Sissy walk out of his life. ‘I should go after them,’ he murmured.

‘There is nothing you can say that isn’t going to make the situation worse right now, Morgan. I think everyone needs time to calm down,’ Alicia argued.

‘I need to make sure he didn’t hurt her. Did you see the marks on her arm? He wouldn’t let her go.’ As he talked, Morgan clenched his fists. ‘I should have pounded the bastard to within an inch of his life.’

‘I am glad that you didn’t. I think they all have enough to discuss, don’t you?’

Morgan didn’t like the accusing tone of his mother’s voice and rounded on her. ‘Why did you invite Sissy here for tea if you didn’t think it was a good idea?’

‘Because I thought it would do her good to spend some time in the house. You have to understand, Morgan, that this kind of scene we have witnessed this morning is inevitable.’