Page 40 of Lady Farah Creates a Scandal (The Season of Secrets #2)

R ockwell walked to the Marquess of Lorne’s townhouse to talk with Farah. The crisp morning air did little to cool his temper. How could she put them all through this? She must really want to punish him. And punish her brother.

His cravat constricted like a noose, far too tight around his neck. How was he to convince her to marry him when she thought so little of him?

Wolf had said to be honest with her, as it had worked with Tiffany.

Rockwell’s mind raced. The events of the past day played repeatedly in his head—Farah’s pale face at the ball as scandal circled like sharks, Lucien’s impulsive proposal, and now her disappearance.

With each step, his frustration mounted.

Did she not understand the consequences of her actions?

What about the scandal that would erupt if she weren’t found?

And yet, beneath the anger, a deeper truth whispered through his bones.

Had he not felt the same urge to flee, to escape the constant intrusion of society?

The weight of disappointment that clung to him like a second skin—the wastrel life of a second son.

Was that not what had driven him to travel the world all these years?

As he approached the Marquess of Lorne’s impressive townhouse, Rockwell slowed his pace.

His reflection in a window caught his eye—disheveled hair, burning eyes, a man on the edge of something momentous.

He needed to approach this calmly, rationally.

Charging in like a bull would only drive Farah further away.

And despite everything, the thought of losing her for good made his chest tighten painfully.

Taking a steadying breath that did nothing to calm his thundering heart, Rockwell smoothed his disheveled hair and straightened his jacket. He had come here to convince Farah to marry him, to show her he truly cared for her. That their marriage could be more than just a solution to a scandal.

Rockwell rapped sharply on the door. As he waited for a response, the words he’d rehearsed a hundred times on his walk dissolved like morning mist. He’d lay his heart bare, pride be damned.

It was time to stop running—from his feelings, from commitment, from the future that had been staring him in the face since the day he’d found her on his ship.

The door creaked open, and Rockwell steeled himself. This was his chance to make things right. To prove to Farah, and to himself, that love was worth fighting for.

“I’m here to see Lady Farah, and don’t tell me she’s not here. I know she is,” he growled, shouldering past the startled servant.

The commotion in the front foyer saw Courtney come running. She took one look at Rockwell’s thunderous expression and fled back up the stairs.

“Tell Farah I’ll meet her in the drawing room when she’s ready,” he called after Courtney’s departing back.

“Rockwell, what brings you here this early, causing a stir?” Tarquin, Courtney’s brother, strolled towards him.

“I came to speak with Farah, who is hiding here with your sister in the last place I thought to look.”

“I think you need a drink,” Tarquin replied and added, “Let’s give the ladies time to gather themselves and we’ll meet them in the drawing room shortly.” He spoke loud enough for the house to hear.

“I think I’d like that drink,” Rockwell replied.

As the two men walked toward the library, Tarquin said, “And you can tell me what excitement I appear to have missed while I have been away at our country estate.”

A few drinks later, Rockwell took a deep breath as he was shown into the drawing room where Farah waited.

Tarquin and Courtney had given them some privacy, and he was grateful.

She stood by the window, her back to him, tension evident in the rigid set of her shoulders. His heart ached at the sight of her.

“Farah,” he said softly.

She turned, her eyes wary. “Rockwell. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you found me,” she said, her eyes wary. “I assume little Ava-Marie let my location slip.”

“I’m very glad she did.” He stepped closer, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find you? That I wouldn’t move heaven and earth? Do you know I almost went crazy thinking you’d run off alone? Anything could have happened to you.”

A flicker of emotion passed across her face before she schooled her features. “I needed time to think. To consider my options.”

“And have you?” he asked. “Considered your options? After putting your brother and me through hell, I hope you’ll be sensible.

I should put you over my knee and spank that perfect bottom.

” Damn. The image of his words sent blood fleeing south.

It was the most inconvenient time to get an erection, but he saw her face redden and knew she was picturing the same image. Promising.

Then tension crackled between them like lightning before a storm.

Farah lifted her chin. “I have. I won’t be forced into a marriage, Rockwell. Not even to save my reputation.”

He nodded, unsurprised by her declaration.

It was one thing he admired most about her—her new strength, her determination.

She’d blossomed on their trip. “I understand. But what if I’m not here to force you into anything?

What if I’m here because I want to marry you?

What if I confessed that I’m jealous of the way you appear to be happy without me?

Because, I have to say, I’m not happy without you! ”

She eyed him skeptically. “Can you tell me you love me?”

“No,” he said with a sigh. “But my feelings are complicated. This has all happened so fast. I can confess that I can’t imagine letting you marry anyone else.”

Farah’s eyes widened, a mix of hope and disbelief swirling in their depths. “You know what I’m looking for in a marriage. Can you give me your heart?”

“I believe I can—with time. I refuse to lie to you and tell you something you want to hear, just to make this situation easier for everyone.”

“Believe you can? That’s not very persuasive, but I admire your honesty.”

He moved to stand directly in front of her so she could see his eyes and he hoped everything he was trying to convey was shining deep within, as he wasn’t very good with the words.

“I’ve known you since you were a little girl.

Yet, when I saw you dancing around my bedchamber in that Hessian, I didn’t see you as a little girl anymore.

You were a very desirable woman full of fire.

But I had other plans for my life and marriage wasn’t in them.

” He reached out and cupped her cheek. “It’s funny how plans can change so suddenly.

If you give me a chance, I believe what I feel for you could be love. ”

In the deafening silence, he swore he could hear his own heart thumping.

“It’s a risk for me to hope that your feelings deepen. A lady only gets to marry once.”

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips and loved the shudder that ran through her.

When he drew back, he saw desire swirling in her eyes.

She wanted him. He could work with that.

He decided to try a different track. “Aren’t you suggesting to Courtney that Lucien could fall in love with her again?

Why would I not fall in love with you when we already share so much—friendship, respect, and desire? ”

As if sensing he was going to seduce her, she put some distance between them, taking a chair across the room.

“Lucien and Courtney are facing a different situation, and you know it. They can try, but she can still walk away if things don’t work out. If we marry, I’m trapped.”

He ran a hand through his hair, willing his temper to remain locked away.

“If I could, I’d give you time but this scandal…

You are utterly ruined and your brother is not happy.

Do you think you could come to love me?” At her nod, he said, “Then why is it so hard for you to believe that I could come to love you?”

*

She bit her lip. He made a good point. She’d always been infatuated with him, but since their trip to Ireland, she’d fallen completely in love with him.

Women tended to open their hearts easier than men.

He did desire her. He was jealous of her attracting other men, including Lucien.

Weren’t these all examples of a man falling in love?

He could have, for instance, simply let her brother force her to marry Lucien.

She thought about what Courtney had said about living her life alone.

Denying society dictates and riding the waves of the scandal was just as risky as tying herself to Rockwell when he didn’t love her, because she may well end up a spinster and she wanted children.

Longed for children—with Rockwell. It was a little girl with his coloring and twinkling eyes she had always envisioned.

Life with Rockwell, even if he never came to love her deeply, would be preferable to being alone.

Was it her silly pride holding her back?

Deep inside, she understood she’d run out of time.

Run or marry. What a choice. If she ran, she would lose everything—her brother, her friends, and her heart would be broken.

The tension clear in Rockwell’s jaw told her he was only just holding back his temper. If she put her sensible hat on, she had no choice but to marry. Was his tension because he was worried she would pick Lucien?

She sighed and smoothed down her skirts.

“I will allow you to escort me back to my brother’s townhouse—” She paused, her eyes searching his face.

“Where we will announce our engagement.” Her statement saw him breathe a sigh of relief, but it was the smile that curved his lips that undid her completely.

She beckoned him with her little finger. He needed no further encouragement. He was by her side in a flash, lifting her out of the chair and into his arms. His lips found hers in a searing and possessive kiss that set her toes curling.