“How long has it been since he joined you?”
I was about to excuse my father’s absence on account of his illness but paused when I realized our walks had stopped before the illness, when I had, for a time, slipped out of the house early so that I might walk alone. They had stopped because of Edward’s betrayal. I could not think of an instance since when I had seen him walk down here. “Longer than I’d realized.”
“If they discuss the topic again in my presence, I will remind your father and brother of your feelings. However, though understandable, the sentiments you have expressed do not change my opinion.”
This man was unendurable. “This whole landscape would suffer because of your opinion. Does your arrogance know no bounds? You speak and act with complete disregard to those around you, as though we are nothing more than plants in your yard to be moved or destroyed according to your whim. Yet each person you trample has a life full of hopes and regrets that you will never understand. It is the same with what surrounds us. Can you even appreciate anything beyond how it serves you?”
He frowned as though in disapproval of my thoughts. I’d had enough of his disapproval. “I am a fool. I hoped too much in expecting you, a man with title and money and haughty opinions, to understand. A man who is willing to marry a woman against her will cannot possibly be expected to comprehend such things.”
His eyes flashed and he was suddenly directly in front of me. “I will ignore your slight against my sensibilities, Miss Brinton, since you seem determined to think ill of me. But, whether or not you believe I comprehend such things, I will not mislead your family with unsound advice.”
“Who are you to give us advice? You think because you are titled we should bow before you and be grateful for whatever notice you bestow upon us? Keep your advice. And your offers and insults. They are not wanted here.” I glared at him, our faces inches from each other, the air between us charged as though the space separating us held its breath. His blue eyes burned with cold disdain while my own body felt afire with anger. He had given me a perfect understanding of my position with him. He would never adjust his opinions to accommodate my desires. If we were to marry, I would have to bend my will to his.
I would never do that.
“Margaret!”
Startled, I turned toward Daniel’s voice. The space between Lord Williams and me exhaled, returning to nothing more than dirt and air and light. My brother and Louisa stood near the shore a short distance away.
“I’m calling in what you owe. Take Lord Williams out in the boat so he can see the lake better.”
I scowled. “That was not the agreement.”
“Would you really rather it be Lundall?”
Being alone with Lord Williams with no possibility of escape was the last thing I wanted. “His lordship does not wish to ride out on the lake.”
“You know nothing of my wishes,” Lord Williams said quietly. “Please do not speak for me.” He moved off to help Daniel turn the boat over.
I walked to Louisa. “I can’t do this.”
She touched my arm sympathetically. “Lord Williams appears to be quite the gentleman. Your brother thinks very highly of him.”
“Daniel has known him for less than a week, Louisa. Our family has already proved to be quite gullible when it comes to suitors for me.”
Louisa dropped her hand and I registered what I’d said. I turned in horror to my friend. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—what I meant was—”
“It’s all right, Margaret. I know how strongly you are repulsed by this. But perhaps you should give him a chance. From what Daniel has told me, he seems to have nothing to gain by this association.”
I bit my lip. Her brother had also seemed to have nothing to gain by the association. The baron wasn’t here without a reason. I just didn’t know how to discover what that reason was.
Sixteen
“The boat is ready. Margaret?” Daniel held his hand out to assist me. I shot Louisa a pained look and walked to the boat.
“This fulfills the bargain?” I asked.
Daniel nodded.
I stepped into the boat. Once I was settled, Lord Williams and Daniel pushed the boat into the water. Lord Williams hopped in at the last minute and settled on the seat opposite me.
“Whatever you do, my lord, do not let her row,” Daniel called as Lord Williams drew us away. “You will end up soaked!”
I turned and looked out over the water.
We rowed in silence. Tilting my head back, I closed my eyes, determined to ignore the baron. The rustling of the trees, though fainter in the middle of the lake, never truly faded. The sun’s comforting touch lightened my spirits. I let out a slow breath. “Say what you will, but there is a peace to be found here that is unique and cannot be found elsewhere.”
When Lord Williams didn’t respond, I opened my eyes. He was watching me with an expression of confusion and something else I couldn’t place. I grew uncomfortable under his scrutiny and turned away to dangle my fingers in the water. The ripples trailed in a line behind us.
The silence grew unbearable and guilt began to eat at me. No matter what his words and actions, I should not have reacted with so much feeling.
“I apologize, my lord,” I said after a few moments. “I am not normally this argumentative.”
“I am certain this must be very difficult for you.”
Whether he referenced our supposed union, his continual presence, or the potential draining of the lake, I did not know. I glanced at him, but his expression revealed nothing. I decided it didn’t matter. “Yes. And I am afraid I have not proved equal to the task.” I looked back at the water and rested my head on one arm, plunging my other hand into the lake.
“Miss Brinton, I cannot release you from the agreement. I am sorry.”
I sat up in horror. The sun glittered blindingly off the water and I had to raise my hand to block the glare. “What do you mean? Of course you can. When we return to the house, tell my parents you have changed your mind. I give you leave to lay full blame upon me. Tell them—tell them you cannot tolerate me. They will believe you.”
“I cannot do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because it is not the truth.”
“It isn’t?”
He slowly shook his head.
Oh. “Well, it should be. We despise each other.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Yes, it did have to be this way. I’d made a promise to myself, and I wasn’t about to let Lord Williams destroy me more than he already had. “It will never be anything else.”
The boat had turned so I faced the sandy stretch of shore from which we had launched. Daniel and Louisa were no longer there. I quickly glanced around and spotted them walking away down the path. I motioned toward them with my hand. “Lord Williams, get them to stop. They cannot leave us here alone.”
Lord Williams looked in the direction I pointed. “What would you have me do?”
“Call to them! They must be stopped.”
Lord Williams turned in the boat and stood up. “Brinton,” he called, but not loudly. Daniel and Louisa did not even look in our direction.