Free Food For The Gallows (The Underwood Mysteries Book 2) by Suzanne Downes Page B

hear conventional little platitudes from your lips. After all there has been between us…”
    “ ’ Was’ is correct, Miss Wynter!” he said tersely, recovering his equanimity, and stepping hastily backwards, almost falling over the fire irons as he did so, “I am a married man…”
    “Are you going to hide behind Verity’s skirts then?” she asked scornfully, advancing on him.
    “I’ll gladly hide behind anything I need to, Miss, to save myself and you from this hideous embarrassment!” he retorted, skilfully putting the table between them and replacing his own unfinished coffee on the tray, lest he should need to make a hasty retreat.
    “Am I an embarrassment, then?” she asked mournfully, raising sad eyes to his.
    “Yes!” he said brutally, aware that her unshed, but very evident tears were supposed to call upon every ounce of chivalry he possessed, but which, unfortunately for her, did no such thing. He desired nothing more than to escape, but was suddenly conscious of the need to end this situation once and for all. Charlotte must leave the Bull knowing he cared nothing for her and that she would never be alone with him again.
    “I am still in love with you,” she said huskily.
    “You are not. You are a prodigiously silly girl, who only wants what she cannot have. And I do assure you, Miss Wynter, you cannot have me!”
    She sank back onto the sofa and began to sob helplessly, “How can you be so cruel?”
    “How can you?” he responded severely, “Have you no affection or respect for Verity that you can speak thus to me? I’m sorry if you were hurt, but you have none but yourself to blame!”
    “Have I not?” she shot back, more angry than upset, “But you came here with me. No one forced you, yet you encouraged me to think there was something to hope for by being here.”
    “I came here in a spirit of friendliness and because I had no notion you were going to rake up a past which is dead. Fool that I am, it did not occur to me that you would so far forget yourself as to say such things. But since you have done so, I will repeat exactly what I have said, in private, that you might be spared the humiliation of a more public rejection. I am married to Verity now let that be an end to it!”
    “So, you care nothing for me, and never have!”
    “If it pleases you to think so. Now, I am leaving, do you wish me to escort you back to your lodgings?”
    She looked up at him, appearing, he could not help but notice, more lovely than ever, her green eyes swimming with tears, her hair clinging in tiny tendrils to her hot forehead, “Have I completely forfeited your friendship?” she asked humbly, holding out her hand to him. He hesitated before her clasped it lightly and briefly,
    “Not if you behave yourself from this moment on,” he said with mock severity.
    “I cannot help it if I wish things had been different,” she murmured.
    “That is your misfortune, my dear. For myself, I am more than happy that events ended just as they did. Verity is a good wife and we suit each other well.”
    “So you are no longer in love with me, but love only her?”
    “My feelings for my wife are entirely my own affair, Miss!” He was not about to be drawn on a subject which he had not even discussed with Verity. He found most strong emotions embarrassing and difficult to voice, “Suffice it to say I regret you have been hurt. That was never my intention.”
    “Then I must learn to live with my regrets, and it only remains for me to beg your pardon for having subjected you to a display of unseemly behaviour.”
    “There is no need,” he spoke brusquely, desiring nothing more than to be away from her, and tossing his handkerchief into her lap he added rather callously, “Now mop up your tears and let us go.”
     
    *
     
    When he entered the vicarage, rather drained and tired, he found that Ellen and Verity were still out, and the doctor had completed his survey.
    “What news, Francis?” asked