Free One Unashamed Night by Sophia James Page B

other such frippery. The bruise on his cheekbone, however, had darkened and swollen.
    It was too late for her to stand and make her way out as he was only a few feet away and coming closer. Consequently she merely sat, pasting what she hoped was an expression on her face that would relate the disappointment she felt in what had happened yesterday.
    He passed her by without acknowledgement, and so close that she could hear what it was they were talking about.
    Fox hunting and the hounds used at a ‘meet’.
    The cut direct! She grimaced. In all honesty there were many after all who might consider the inability to stop heavy drinking as a small thing, and others who might laugh at the notion of a man who would lose himself in the unmindful disregard of drink. But these people could not have lived with someone whose very personality was being eaten away by it, exposing layers beneath that were hardly humorous.
    As she had! She decided that to say nothing would be an act of cowardice on her behalf.
    ‘Excuse me, Lord Wellingham?’
    He turned immediately and waited, as did the man with him. ‘Mrs Bassingstoke.’
    ‘I wondered if I might have a moment alone with you, sir?’
    ‘ Jack.’ Said with all the authority of a dismissal to the man next to him. Beatrice remained silent until the other was out of hearing range.
    ‘I would like to apologise for my behaviour yesterday, my lord. I realise that it was most unacceptable to leave a room in such a fashion, but in my own defence I might say that I have had some unfortunate experiences in my life because of heavy drinking.’
    A heavy frown marred his forehead. ‘I was not—?’
    She didn’t let him finish. ‘Denial is one of the first signs that something is amiss, as I am sure you must be aware.’
    ‘You think I cannot manage my drink?’
    ‘The poor effect it has on your balance is certainly a telling symptom especially so very early in the day.’
    A smile began to play around his lips and Bea hated the answering heavy thud of her heartbeat when she saw it.
    ‘The good news is that there are remedies one might attempt.’ Today he barely looked at her, glancing over her head as though something was far more interesting across the room, though his next question was heartening.
    ‘What is it then that you would suggest?’
    ‘Some would say exercise to be the most beneficial.’
    ‘To keep my mind off the thought of another brandy?’
    ‘Exactly.’ She did not understand the humour that accompanied his question. ‘The most important thing, however, is to admit that you do have a problem; if one holds the notion that this affliction is trifling…’
    ‘I can assure you, Mrs Bassingstoke, that I do not think my affliction trifling.’
    For the first time since she had begun talking to him she felt that they had the same viewpoint. ‘Your measure of honesty is something that should help then, my lord.’
    When he remained silent she took her courage in hand. ‘Have you spoken to your family about this?’
    ‘As little as I possibly can.’
    ‘Would it help to speak to me of it?’
    The silence was deafening.
    ‘I am a woman who would respect every confidence.’
    ‘I know you to be that.’
    When his smile took on a quality of wickedness she realised exactly what he had said and flushed a bright beetroot red. ‘I did not mean, of course, to allude to the night we spent—’ She stopped as another thought struck her. Perhaps he had not meant that at all. She was too far in, however, to just pull back now. ‘I would never say anything of it—we had both agreed that we should not.’
    As she moved to one side he did the same and their hands touched. She felt her heartbeat quicken, to know again that living spark of recognition.
    Jerking away, she looked around to see if anyone watched them and was horrified to notice patrons hurriedly averting their eyes. Taris Wellingham was a man who drew the notice of all those around him, with his height and his