A Terrible Misunderstanding (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 6)

She is a liar and used to lying to people given how easily she has managed to come up with a story that is convincing to her closest friends.

That disturbing news came hand-in-hand with the awful realisation that the young woman making up stories about him was the woman he was in Serpentine to protect: Miss Clara Potter. Even more sinisterly, Oscar’s marriage to Emmeline hovered tauntingly over his head. While the circumstances were different, Oliver had been thrown into close quarters with Emmeline in a situation that had been very similar to this.

And look how that had turned out. While Oliver might be happy, I have no intention of ever settling down to married life.

“Excuse me, ladies,” Niall snapped loudly when the women began to talk about where the wedding would be held and when. Before they could decide on how many children he would father as well, Niall decided to put a stop to the damned plans. “What do you want to do about him? Does he go to the magistrate in the next county?”

“Oh, no. I don’t suppose so,” Clara sighed as if seriously considering the options.

“No?” Niall lifted his brows at her, astonished that she wouldn’t want to inform the lawman in the next county seeing as Boyle’s cousin couldn’t be trusted.

“I think Erasmus may have gotten the message,” Edith informed him wisely.

Erasmus began to mumble something, but his face was too distorted by the wall for anybody to be able to understand him.

Niall sighed and wondered just how much worse his day was going to get.

“What’s his name again?” Edith prompted out of the corner of her mouth, but loud enough for Niall to hear.

Clara threw a worried look at the stranger. She knew she could come up with a fabricated name but suspected she had already pushed this far enough. Her handsome hero was looking decidedly put out, not least because he still held Erasmus against a wall like he was holding up a picture.

“Let’s deal with the introductions once he has gone,” Clara murmured with a nod to Erasmus.

Edith nodded her understanding before turning to look at Niall.

“Let’s deal with the introductions another time,” Clara suggested.

“Oh, pooh. He can let Erasmus go. You are now engaged and completely off the marriage market. There is no earthly reason why Erasmus should come anywhere near you now,” Edith assured her. She stepped forward and tapped Niall on the shoulder. “You may release him now. You, Erasmus, go home and stop causing trouble. The lady is spoken for.”

Niall pushed roughly against the man as he released him, and reluctantly stepped back. He remained watchful and wary as Erasmus turned to face him.

“Go near her again and I shall damned well cut you down where you stand,” Niall growled. “It’s no warning. I don’t give a damn who your cousin is. I have bigger and better friends than you will ever have. Stay away from my fiancé.”

Erasmus glared at Niall before turning the full force of his anger on Clara, whom he glared at. With one last dark look at Edith, he brushed past everyone and hurried off down the street, clearly unnerved by what had just happened, and a little put out that he was the one who walked away looking foolish.

“Thank you,” Clara whispered to her rescuer.

“Miss Edith Burnham.” Edith dipped into a curtsey.

Niall mentally cursed and bowed in response to the woman’s curtsey. “Mr Niall Farley-Paget.”

“Now, where have I heard that name before?” Edith mused.

“I am not sure,” Niall replied, hoping to God she hadn’t heard it anywhere.

“Where do you hail from?”

“London.” Niall threw Clara a dark look. “If you are ready, I shall escort you home. Then I have to be on my way. I have a meeting to get to.”

Niall nodded at the older woman before he ushered Clara down the street. After an initial wary look, Clara began to walk quite contentedly alongside him. She paused long enough to wave goodbye to Edith, who waved back with a broad smile on her face.

“Wait,” Niall commanded.

Clara dutifully stopped.

“We will watch you home,” Niall announced turning to Edith.

Edith flushed with pleasure and called a cheery goodnight to them before she dutifully hurried home. Niall and Clara watched her walk up to her front door before she paused to wave them goodbye. Seconds later they heard the slam of her front door closing.