Her Wicked Proposal novel Chapter 49

Cedric slumped heavily in his chair at breakfast the following morning. He'd barely slept last night. Regret and remorse had beat about him incessantly, resulting in a rather nasty headache, causing pinpricks of light in his otherwise sightless vision, as if to mock him as well as inflict pain. The soft click of the dining room door alerted him that he was no longer alone.

"How was last night?" Ashton's asked in a soft voice.

Cedric almost smiled. When he'd first become blind, people often raised their voices at him, as though his hearing had been destroyed and not his sight. Yet the sense most improved after the accident had been his hearing, by a fair margin. He heard even the smallest, lightest sounds now.

There was the low whir of a bumblebee as it butted against the dining room window behind him. There were the creaks in the old manor house, each groan of wood and protest of stone like an elderly man's weary sighs. Without any visual vibrancy, Cedric saw the world in a way he never had before.

"Dreadful," Cedric said, answering his friend's question. "She didn't remember her father, or that he'd passed away so recently. When I mentioned it she burst into tears as if it had just happened. Then she claimed she must have loved me if she married me and I couldn't say it back. I told her the truth about what happened the night we first met. After that she sent me away." Cedric's hands fumbled about for his morning tea, and he cursed when he spilled it.

"Ah. It does appear that you stepped in it, then. Rather deeply." Ashton placed a gentle hand on Cedric's shoulder, keeping him in his chair so he could not rise. "I will get you another cup."

"Thank you," he grumbled. "Did you sleep well?"

"Very well, all things considered. Some problems back in London to consider."

"Care to elaborate, Ash?"

"It is of no real consequence. I am merely having trouble with Lady Melbourne."

"Still?" Cedric couldn't believe his friend had failed to deal with her as he did with his other rivals. She should have been neutralized by now.

"I warned her against any further meddling, but she seems intent to rebel against my command to stay out of my affairs. I've never met a woman more ruthless. If I wasn't so furious, I'd have to admit I almost admire her for challenging me."

"Imagine that. There exists a woman in this world who does not buy into the famous Lennox charm nor surrender herself to your demands." Cedric meant the last part only in jest, but Ashton's tea cup rattled sharply.

"What have you heard?"

Cedric was puzzled by his tone. What nerve had he struck? "Nothing. Only that it is a rare man who will not back down to you and a rarer woman still."

"You make it sound like she's as rare as a unicorn."

"Rarer. You should marry her before she returns to the land of fairy stories."

"Certainly not." Ashton's tone was far too cold. Cedric sighed as he realized his old friend was concealing his true emotions.

"Why not?" Cedric was unhappy and at such times had an inclination to poke at his friend until he too was upset. Misery does so love company.

"I cannot marry a woman I cannot trust to come to heel. My wife must be ready to agree to whatever course of action I deem best. Without such trust, empires and dynasties collapse. As do businesses. Also, Lady Melbourne seems to delight in provoking me."

Cedric toyed with his cup on the table. "You do not seem to have learned anything after abducting Emily last year."

Ashton huffed indignantly. "I don't know what you mean."

Ashton grunted at Cedric's jest. "I would not wish to overstay my welcome, Cedric. Tell me to go if that is your wish."

Cedric sat up straighter in his chair, all teasing gone. "It is not. I would welcome your company. In fact, you would help keep me sane while my world crumbles around me."

He meant it. At that very moment, everything around him seemed on the verge of collapse, and he was terrified of being alone when it happened.

"Then I remain here." Ashton's voice was full of genuine warmth, born of years of deep affection.

Cedric could breathe again, so long as Ashton stayed here and kept him sane.

"Excellent. If the weather permits, we could fish in the lake today." Cedric hoped that Ashton would agree. He needed to get outside for a bit, but he couldn't do so alone, unless he wanted to end up drowned at the bottom of the lake. It would be easy to take a footman with him, but it wasn't the same. Nothing could replace the reassuring comfort of a trusted friend by his side in a gently rocking boat, poles suspended above the water.

"I would like that," Ashton admitted. "My mind certainly needs clearing after Lady Melbourne. She has put me in a black mood."

"Shall we meet in the main hall in half an hour?"

"That would give you time to see to Anne's breakfast."

"Yes, I must make sure she has everything she needs." Cedric jumped on the excuse to see her, even if she didn't want to see him.