“You are a manipulative and self-righteous woman who does not care about anyone else’s opinions or feelings other than your own.”
“Father would be proud of me,” Adrienne answered nonchalantly as she sipped her tea.
Well, I’m not. Carson stepped away from the table and drew in a breath as he turned away.
“Where are you going?”
“I need some air,” Carson answered with a grumble.
“Please do ensure that you are back in time for Miss Violet’s arrival,” Adrienne answered with a smile, which made Carson even angrier.
He stormed out of the parlour, slamming the door behind him. The sound still echoed through the hallway as he retreated to the main entrance.
Chapter Five.
The fresh air and the delectable scent of the flowers in a porcelain vase perched in the centre of the table soothed the pounding inside Lizzie’s head. She was seated quietly on the terrace, immersed in a daze. Her memories of last evening were still rather unclear and it seemed as though the harder she tried to retrieve them, the quicker they evaporated into the light.
A cool breeze softly brushed her cheeks, providing much-needed relief from the heat that filled her body at regular intervals. A crystal glass with cold water stood on the table in front of her. The droplets on the outside of the glass sparkled like rainbow-hued diamonds, then slowly trailed down onto the wooden table.
She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and turned that way, leaving her hazy dream world. She drew in a breath and her limbs stiffened as she noticed Carson, looking rather dashing – as always – making his way across the lawn towards her. Much to her surprise, her heart pounded in her chest and she was unable to tear her eyes away from him.
What on earth is happening? But in all honesty, she had known for a very long time.
Had something occurred last evening that caused all these ancient feelings to rise to the surface once more? Of course, Lizzie was not bold enough to simply ask Carson, was she?
“Good morning, my lady,” Carson greeted her with a charming smile, but somehow it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Not too well, I’m afraid. It feels as though a coach rode over my head while I was asleep.”
Carson smiled encouragingly and approached the table. “May I join you?”
“Certainly, Mr. Wallace.”
Carson’s brow furrow, yet an amused grin lingered on his lips. “I see we have resorted back to formalities.”
“I wasn’t certain whether it would be appropriate to address you otherwise,” Lizzie answered, biting her lip.
“And why would it be inappropriate? You have addressed me by my first name for many years,” Carson stated.
“Because of last evening, and early this morn,” Lizzie admitted. “My memory seems to fail me, and I have no recollection of what happened after we returned to the ballroom. Apparently, we stole two more bottles of wine.”
“Which was entirely upon your insistence,” Carson chuckled and glanced at her. “What is the matter, Lizzie?”
“I feel rather ashamed with regards to my behaviour, Carson. I didn’t intend to drag you into the mess I made by acting so inappropriately,” Lizzie answered her friend truthfully.
“You did no such thing,” Carson insisted. “And I must admit that I have not had such an enjoyable evening in a very long while.”
“Truly?” Lizzie asked, surprised.
“Truly, my dearest Lizzie,” Carson answered. “You cannot recall the rest of the evening, at all?”
“Not in the least,” She answered. “Can you?”
“I remember everything,” Carson answered, and a sudden intensity lit up his eyes.
“We, I mean, you and I...we didn’t...” Lizzie stopped stammering and swallowed hard. How did one ask such a thing?
“No, Lizzie. You need not worry about that,” Carson assured her.
Partly, Lizzie was relieved that nothing intimate had happened between them, as she would have preferred to remember such an encounter. And partly she was disappointed that Carson had not thought of perhaps kissing her.
Perhaps he didn’t think of her in such a manner, which was rather disappointing also.
Or perhaps Carson was merely saying so to avoid any awkward questions from her.
“Was that what you were worried about?” Carson inquired.
“Indeed. I wished to visit you at your home, but I was not certain whether it was safe for me to do so. By now the entire county is aware of how I behaved last evening, and I am well aware that your sister does not think very highly of me,” Lizzie sighed.
Miss Adrienne had made it no secret that she was not fond