Searching him for something.
He hadn’t meant to do it. It just happened. He’d felt pulled, inexorably tugged toward her, and the space between them had grown smaller and smaller…
And then there she was. In his arms.
He’d wanted to melt to the floor, lose himself in her and never let go.
He’d wanted to kiss her until they both fell apart from the passion of it.
He’d wanted to—
Well. He’d wanted to do quite a bit, to tell the truth. But he’d also been a little bit drunk.
Not very. But enough to doubt the veracity of his response.
And he’d been angry. And off-balance.
Not with Lucy, of course, but he was quite certain it had impaired his judgment.
Still, he should see her. She was a gently bred young lady. One didn’t kiss one of those without making explanations. And he ought to apologize as well, although that didn’t really feel like what he wanted to do.
But it was what he should do.
He looked up at Kate. “When are they leaving?”
“Lady and Miss Watson? This afternoon, I believe.”
No, he almost blurted out, I meant Lady Lucinda. But he caught himself and kept his voice unconcerned as he said instead, “And Fennsworth?”
“Soon, I think. Lady Lucinda has already been down for breakfast.” Kate thought for a moment. “I believe Fennsworth said he wished to be home by supper. But they can make the journey in one day. They don’t live too very far away.”
“Near Dover,” Gregory murmured absently.
Kate’s brow furrowed. “I think you’re right.”
Gregory frowned at his food. He’d thought to wait here for Lucy; she would not be able to miss breakfast. But if she’d already eaten, then the time of her departure would be growing near.
And he needed to find her.
He stood. A bit abruptly—he knocked his thigh against the edge of the table, causing Kate to look up at him with a startled expression.
“You’re not going to finish your breakfast?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”
She looked at him with patent disbelief. She’d been a member of the family for over ten years, after all. “How is that possible?”
He ignored the question. “I bid you a lovely morning.”
“Gregory?”
He turned. He didn’t want to, but there was a slight edge to her voice, just enough for him to know he needed to pay attention.
Kate’s eyes filled with compassion—and apprehension. “You’re not going to seek out Miss Watson, are you?”
“No,” he said, and it was almost funny, because that was the last thing on his mind.
Lucy stared at her packed trunks, feeling tired. And sad. And confused.