“Yes, well, Richard did not know I was coming,” she admitted unhappily.

Charles nodded, but added, “Still, I cannot believe Langley allowed you out of his sight long enough for you to come down here by yourself either. The man seems ever to be shadowing you.”

“Yes, he does,” Lisa agreed with vexation. “The man is—” She cut herself off abruptly and glanced toward the window, irritation wiggling its way through her. Finally she simply said, “Robert did not know I was coming either. In fact, he had no idea I was leaving or surely would have followed.”

Findlay hesitated and then leaned forward in his seat to clasp her hands in his. When she raised her head to peer at him, he said, “Lisa, is Langley the reason you wanted time to think about my proposal?”

Lisa avoided his eyes uncomfortably and tried to tug her hands free, but he held them tightly and said gently, “It has become obvious to me that there is something more than family friendship between the two of you. Your feelings, at least, are deeper than that, though I don’t know about Langley. He’s a cold bastard and hard to read at times.”

Lisa lowered her eyes and shook her head helplessly. Wondering if all of London could tell she had feelings for Robert.

“Do you love him?”

Lisa swallowed, fighting not to speak, but then it just came pouring out. “I have loved him my whole life. No one but him. And I think he cares for me too, but he is afraid I would be unfaithful like his mother and grandmother and refuses to marry. Or did,” she added with a frown. “Now he wants to marry me, but only because—” She cut herself off abruptly, flushing as she realized what she’d almost revealed and rushed on, “But I will not be married to a man who thinks I would be unfaithful to him.”

“Ah.” Charles said quietly and squeezed her hands. “Then might I suggest you accept my proposal instead?”

A sharp bark of laughter slipped from her lips, and then she waved one hand wearily and said, “My lord, you do not want me.”

“On the contrary. I want you very much,” he said wryly.

“You wouldn’t if you knew—” Lisa cut herself off again abruptly, but Charles finished it for her.

“That Langley has bedded you?”

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Robert stared at Smithe blankly. “Findlay?”