Page 146 of A Rogue in Firelight

“I waited. I thought you might call at the house.”

“I have been very busy, madam.” He spoke with exaggeration, waving an arm at the empty house.

“You did not wait for me at Parliament Hall.”

“Should I have?” He leaned in the doorway, looming over her.

Hands folded, she regarded him, and chose not to sit. She noticed a glass upended in a little puddle on the floor. “I thought you might wait.”

“But she is independent now,” he said, his gaze intent. “She needs no one. Found her backbone, which she needed to do, I will admit. Come here alone, to a man’s home. Drove a gig herself?”

“Walked. To find her husband very drunk.”

“Not drunk. More—unhappy.” He gestured. “Please sit. Or did you come to inspect your property?”

She stifled the sob that came up quickly. His anger was clear and sharp, and she did not understand. “What is wrong?”

“Why are you here without your wee secretary on your heels?”

“Mr. Corbie is in jail with Mr. Pitlinnie.”

“Ah, justice will be served. I punched him,” he told her. “Both of them.”

“Good. I did not know. I came here tonight because I wanted to see you.”So much,she wanted to add, but his scowl discouraged her words.

“Did you want a signature?”

“For what?”

“For your paperwork, madam.”

“Well, if you want to speak as a witness, you may do that.”

“That is cold. I would not have credited you with that.”

“Ronan, I do not understand.” She was confused. They were talking at cross purposes, and he not listening. She drove her fingers together, twisted them. “I am at a loss here.”

“I am the one at a loss,” he murmured. “You are the one who knows what you want.”

“I thought we were—”In love. She hesitated. Love was strong and could survive anything. And love was also fragile, and needed careful handling. “I thought you were fond of me.”

A bitter laugh. “Fond! Aye, very fond. We shall be fast friends now.”

“Ronan.” A sob rose again. “Please, Ronan—”

“Shall I call you a hackney to take you home? I can find one.” He pushed away from the doorjamb.

“No! I thought—I might stay here tonight.”

He turned back. “Stay? Have your cake, is that it?”

“I am so confused. What has happened?”

“A great deal, apparently. I heard about the annulment. I wish you had warned me.”

She felt the blood drain from her head so quickly that she felt dizzy, and set a hand on the back of the empty chair. “Is that it? Who told you that?”

“Corbie said you brought annulment papers to be processed.”