Led Astray by a Rake (The Husband Hunters Club 1)

Behind her Theodore had the final word. “Now do you see what you’ve done, Lacey?”

Chapter 20

Nic didn’t know what he’d expected, but it wasn’t this total rejection. Once again Olivia had surprised him. He realized he’d grown used to her strength of character and total belief in her own sense of purpose where he was concerned, and to see her reduced to feminine hysterics was rather a shock. He would have liked nothing better than to follow her up the stairs and persuade her to his point of view—and he knew he could—but he doubted he’d get more than two steps before Theodore would be screaming at him for daring to further sully the name of his beloved.

“My daughter needs time to consider her—her feelings,” Mrs. Monteith said, looking as if she’d sustained a shock, as indeed she had. “I’m sure you will be patient. There is a great deal for her to consider.”

Her blue eyes, so like Olivia’s, met Nic’s and slipped away again. But it was long enough for him to read a myriad of emotions in them—pain and regret and fear. He’d warned his mother that the past would interfere in any proposal he made, and clearly it was so.

“Miss Monteith has made her feelings for you very plain, Lacey,” Theodore interrupted, his jowls quivering in outrage. “You should leave.”

“I don’t think she was overjoyed by your proposal, either, Theodore,” Nic said with quiet scorn. “Perhaps it was the thought of marrying you that sent her sobbing to her bed.”

He shouldn’t have said it, but Nic couldn’t seem to help himself. Theodore was the ideal person on whom to vent his feelings.

“You cad,” Theodore blustered. “Get out before I throw you out.”

Nic raised an eyebrow. “Do you think you can?”

The two men eyed each other like dogs fighting for a bone, the one coolly dangerous and the other red-faced and panting with rage.

“Oh please, stop it!” Mrs. Monteith’s voice rose shrilly. “I want both of you to leave. Hasn’t enough damage been done? I—I must go and comfort my daughter.”

Theodore shot Nic a look of triumph.

“After you, Theodore.” Nic limped to the door and stood waiting there.

“I want to stay and help comfort Miss Monteith,” Theodore said stubbornly.

Mrs. Monteith threw up her hands in despair and hurried up the stairs, leaving them to it.

“Come, Theodore, admit defeat,” Nic said with a wicked smile. “Miss Monteith doesn’t want either of us to comfort her today.”

Theodore stared at him. They were about the same height, and although Nic was broad-shouldered and slim-hipped, Theodore’s bulk made him seem the more dangerous. And now there was a depth of feeling in his eyes that surprised Nic.

Theodore hated him.

The other man strode from the house, and Nic followed him outside. Lady Lacey would be expecting success and he would have to tell her he’d failed. At least for now. He admitted that this was not the outcome he’d imagined when Abbot helped him dress earlier. Olivia had wanted to marry him, so he’d assumed she would agree with alacrity.

There was her family to consider, and the awkwardness of past scandals, as well as the impending scandal. But Nic fully expected to soften the blow with his title and position. “Lady Lacey” had such a nice ring to it, and he was certain the Monteiths would come around soon enough, and put practical considerations ahead of old memories. Now that he’d been rejected, he wondered how long it would take Mrs. Monteith to persuade her daughter she had no option but to marry. Someone.

Nic used his cane to strike the heads off a couple of flowers in the border along the drive, and felt a mixture of shame and satisfaction that he’d let his temper show. What was wrong with him? He’d never wanted to marry Olivia—he’d fought against it from the moment she turned up at his door and let her hopes be known. He should be relieved she’d said no. He should be glad Theodore was willing to make her his wife, scandal and all.

But the thing was, he wasn’t glad.

“You don’t want to marry Olivia.”

Nic looked up and saw that Theodore had stopped in front of him, and he looked as if he’d worked himself up for something.

“I said—”

“I heard you. I take it you do want to marry her?”

“Yes. I do.”

“Well then, may the best man win.” Nic stepped around him.

Theodore hurried after him. “You know you don’t want her, Lacey. You’re only going after her because of bloody-mindedness. You’re bad for her. Let her go. In fact, why don’t you go away? Once you’re gone she’ll see me, waiting, willing to step in, and she’ll marry me.”