All the Things You Never Knew - By Angealica Hewley Page 0,13
you.”
“Tell me what?”
“That man,” she said a hint of disgust in her voice. “He’s Rose’s fiancé.”
“Is he?” Leon wasn’t the least surprise.
“I despise him though,” Susannah answered. “He’s…not one who will be faithful to Rose.”
“As long as she loves him, it should be enough,” Leon said, trying to sound nonchalant when a part of him was twisted with a feeling he couldn’t describe.
“You’re jesting, right? I would want my husband to love me, too. It can’t just be one sided,” replied Susannah. “Are you just saying that because she’s–”
“I just want her to be happy,” Leon interjected. “Nothing else matters.”
“She won’t be happy, at least not with that man.”
“She looks happy though.”
“Ha! You were staring at them!” Susannah exclaimed. Well, Lady Susy was smart. He can’t believe he just got tricked. “I–”
“It’s all right. I know you still love her and she you,” Susannah said, cutting him off. “You guys won’t ever admit it, I know.”
“Seriously, Susy. Look at her. She would be a fool to still love me.”
“I know she does,” Susannah argued. “I’m her best friend. I know her. She’s no fool. She only thinks she loves that…that thing because you left her and she’s trying to find you in another man.”
“Doesn’t ‘that thing’ have a name?” Leon asked, curious.
“His name is Marcus Lewis Dent, a drunken arse of a marquess. He plays a handsome knight to Rose when all he really does is drink and dally with lightskirts, seeking pleasure wherever his cock leads him.”
Leon was quite alarmed at Susannah’s word usage but only laughs and twirls her another round.
“Aren’t you jealous at all?” Susannah asked, irritated by how he just left everything as if it doesn’t matter.
“‘That thing’ is a marquess. Why should I be? I can never offer Rose the things that he could,” Leon said, though his heart spoke otherwise.
“Trust me. You can give Rose more than he could,” Susannah assured.
“When’s their wedding?” He didn’t know why he asked. It just seems right at the moment.
“Why? Are you going to stop it? Please say yes,” she said, hopefully.
Leon chuckled and shook his head. “No, just curious. I expected her to be married already by the time I return.”
“Well, that’s cruel of you,” Susannah said, punching him lightly on the shoulder. “You know how hard I tried to convince her to reject all the suitors? I wanted her to be with you. I knew you’ll come back. Why did you take so long?”
“It’s complicated,” Leon answered. “Too many things were going on.”
“At least you’re back now, that’s good enough.”
Leon nodded and brought Lady Susannah to a complete stop as the music ended.
“It was a pleasure dancing with you,” he said bowing down to give her hand a kiss.
“The pleasure is mine,” she said, curtsying down to him.
“Heartily,” Leon heard Hargate called from behind them.
“I’m afraid I must go now,” Leon said, helping Lady Susannah straighten up.
“Already?”
Leon nodded. “I believe so.”
“Will we meet again?”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“Where can I find you, then?”
“Call upon me anytime at Hargate Inn. I’ll be there, though I am leaving in a couple of days to manage things back home. Better yet, visit me in Bridlington.”
“Will do, then,” she smiled sadly.
“Good night, Lady Susy,” Leon kissed her hand again with a wink and turned on his heel away to Hargate.
“I see you found yourself a pretty belle,” Hargate said, as they walk outside to the front gate.
“Not what you think,” Leon replied. “Where’s Longsword?”
“Didn’t you see him flirting with Lady Sarah? He was having a good time. I just wanted to talk to you.”
“What is it?” Leon inquired, running his fingers through his hair.
“Did you see Lady Rose?”
“Yes,” he answered nonchalantly. “What of it?”
“You know that was her fiancé she was dancing with?”
“Susy told me,” he said plainly.
“That was Lady Susannah you were dancing with?”
“Yes, what’s your point in this?”
“Nothing, just wanted to make sure you know,” Hargate said.
“I know.”
“Aren’t you going to do anything about it?’”
“I’ve told you, there’s no use. We’re here to investigate, not fall in love.”
“But you are in love, my friend. I was watching you eye her the whole time while dancing with Lady Susannah.”
Great! Not only did Susy realize it but his nosy friend did too.
“I assure you, I wasn’t. She has moved on like I said. I have no reason to ruin things.”
“Well, I’ll give you a bloody good one.”
“I’m not in the mood for violence if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“No,” Hargate shook his head. “Did you know what I found out about