Damn.
“Louisa, we were young. We were enemies. You cannot think that this is the same?”
“I can and I do. I can’t trust a Mayford any more than Meredith can.”
Hugh couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Was she really going to hold the sins of his past against him? He hadn’t even meant what he’d said. He’d just had no idea how to deal with the visceral reaction he’d felt when touching her.
“Louisa, I didn’t mean it. I was trying to save face. You have to understand.”
“Oh, I do understand Hugh.”
He watched helplessly as she removed his jacket and thrust it back at him.
“Can we please talk about this?” he asked desperately.
She sighed and looked suddenly exhausted.
“I’m tired and I’m cold. We can forget all of this ever happened. My sisters and I will leave after Christmas Day and you can all get back to your bachelor ways.”
He watched as she walked away.
She couldn’t leave it like this.
He wouldn’t let her.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sweetheart,
I refuse to allow a stupid mistake from three years ago come between us now. Meet me in the conservatory when everyone has gone to bed, around one o’clock.
Please.
If you happen to forget about it, I shall come and fetch you from your bedroom. And don’t think I won’t!
Hugh
The bloody man was a nuisance.
But he was a determined nuisance, and Louisa knew he meant what he threatened. He would cause a huge scandal rather than allow her to ignore his summons. He really was that stubborn.
And, truth be told, Louisa was worried that she was being rather ridiculous.
If her sisters had accused her of conceding their war three years ago; she probably would have denied everything, too.
Besides, it was different now.
She certainly felt different. Couldn’t she trust that he did too?
After they’d gotten back to the house, the rest of the party in fine spirits, Louisa had sat in a corner and brooded.
Brooded and watched.
She was pleased to see that Hugh seemed to be brooding himself. She would likely have thrown something at him had he appeared to be enjoying the festivities.
Mostly, she watched Meredith and Lucas. And the longer she watched them, the more she was convinced; they were two people completely in love with each other.
Louisa sighed and paced her bedchamber as she had been doing for hours now.
She knew she could probably convince Meredith that Lucas wasn’t to be trusted, and she could manipulate her sister into leaving this place.
But Meredith was happy, truly happy… with Lucas.
Her confusing thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
Horrified, her eyes flew to the carriage clock on the mantle.
It was almost time to meet him, but not quite.
He couldn’t be here already, could he?
“Yes?” she called trying not to sound panicked.
“May I come in?” The door cracked open slightly, revealing Meredith.
“Meredith? Why in heaven’s name are you in your nightclothes! Someone could see you!” she exclaimed as Meredith came farther into the room.
“Why are you not ready for bed? It must be near one in the morning!” Meredith responded, looking a little too closely at Louisa.
“I wasn’t tired,” she said as casually as she could manage but she couldn’t help glancing toward the hall lest Hugh should suddenly appear.
“Liar.”
“Snoop.”
“Are you meeting Hugh?” Meredith demanded. Usually Louisa would have been happy to sit and have a coze with her sister. But this was most inconvenient.
There was no point in denying it either. Meredith was like a bloodhound when it came to finding things out.
“That’s none of your concern,” she said with a sniff rather than deny it.
“Do you realize this is Hugh?” Meredith demanded, crossing her arms, ever the bossy big sister.
“You do realize you’re being quite the hypocrite. Lucas is just as attentive as Hugh. More even.” Louisa shot back, hating feeling so defensive.
“Yes but…”
“No excuses. I’ll let you have your secrets. But let me have my own as well.” Louisa softened her tone, and her expression. It wasn’t Meredith’s fault that Hugh Mayford had her tied in knots.
Louisa was more than capable of handling this thing herself, in any case.
“Very well, though I’ll expect a full report in the morning, mind you.” Meredith finally relented and Louisa could breathe a little easier.
“Yes, Mother,” she answered cheekily.
“I’ll leave you to your secrets then. Does Sara have any such secrets or will I find her in her room?” Meredith asked as she walked towards the door.
Funnily enough, Louisa hadn’t seen Sara on their return from the maze. Or Jackson, for that matter.
“I’m not sure,” she answered truthfully.”You’ll have seek those answers yourself.”