Chapter 6
Before Meleri was out of sight Tony, who was looking rather pensive, said, “You realize, of course, what you have done.”
Lord Waverly sighed in exasperation. He was tired of all of this. He needed time to collect himself after that disastrous encounter with Meleri. He did not want to discuss her, or anything connected with her. She was out of his life, and he preferred to leave her out of his thoughts and, particularly, out of any conversation. He did not want to discuss what happened. Truthfully, he did not want do discuss anything. He needed some time alone.
“I know precisely what I have done,” he said, in a clipped, exacting manner. “I have let a minor source of irritation out of my life.”
Harry and Tony exchanged looks before Harry said, “And let a major one into it, I’m afraid.”
“A major one? Am I supposed to guess who this person is, or do you make it easy for me?”
“I don’t know how easy it will be, considering it is your father I refer to,” said Harry.
“My father won’t be a problem. His main concern is that I marry, not so much who I marry.”
Another glance passed between his friends.
After a moment, Tony said, “I think you may be underestimating your father. Are you forgetting how he feels about this marriage to Lady Weatherby, how he’s refused to allow you to broach the subject of marriage to anyone else?”
“Only because he felt bound to honor a betrothal contract of such long standing. However, Meleri afforded me the perfect escape. I cannot be blamed for crying off.”
“He may not see it that way,” said Harry, “and the duke is the one in control here, not you. It was only a fortnight ago that we were all gathered here and witnessed that row between the two of you. Dreadful business, that.”
“He gave you an ultimatum that night, in case you’ve forgotten,” Tony said.
Philip’s heartbeat began to escalate at the memory of that night and the furious direction things had taken. “He has made threats before.”
“Not like that one,” Tony said.
“What is your purpose?”
“We don’t want to see you take such a risk with your future and your inheritance.”
“What would you have me do? Go to the chit on my hands and knees and beg her to come back?”
“What you do is up to you,” Tony replied. “We’re your friends, not your barristers.”
Philip felt a sinking sensation, but he refused to allow it to destroy his peace of mind. “Then remain my friends and change the subject. I grow weary of discussing Lady Weatherby and my father. Now, I say we all go inside and drink a toast to my new-found freedom.”