The parlor at Aston Manor was furnished with the finest decor that money could purchase. And yet, it didn't feel ostentatious. It was comforting, homey. Currently, Scarlett was staring at a divine painting of the English countryside, the hues of golden fields mixing with a fiery sunset.

Scarlett missed the countryside. She missed living away from London with its schemes and lies and gossip. Not that she could really blame London for her problems. Scarlett was the one who had created the schemes. She was the one who had lied and spread gossip throughout the ton.

It had been a horrible mistake. Scarlett never should have published that column about Leo and his rumored son. She should have considered the consequences that it might mean for more than just Leo.

That was why Scarlett was here at Aston Manor, of course. She had initially gone to Leo's townhome to talk to him, but he hadn't been there. So she'd come to the next possibility and hoped that she wouldn't run into Lady Aston or Lord Aston. Even though they didn't know that it was Scarlett who was behind Mischief in Mayfair, she simply couldn't face them.

But the chance of that happening was worth it to talk to Leo.

Scarlett had been sitting in the parlor for nearly an hour now, waiting for Leo to join her. The butler had led her here and assured that he would alert Leo to her presence, but Scarlett was beginning to wonder if he forgot. Or perhaps Leo did not wish to see her.

It was likely the latter option.

She would not accept that. She needed to speak with him.

Making a quick decision, Scarlett slid through the parlor doorway. There was a massive staircase that wound its way into the foyer directly. No one appeared to be about, not even a passing servant. And the only sound she heard was that of faint voices drifting down from the second floor.

With hardened resolve, Scarlett began to ascend the stairs, following the voices.

They brought her to a doorway at the end of a hall and a sight she never could have imagined seeing.

Leo was lying in the middle of a giant bed, his arm wrapped around a small, blonde-hair child whose face was buried in the crook of his arm. Another young boy was sitting cross-legged at the foot of the bed, listening intently as Leo read from a book. Scarlett peered at the cover, trying to make out the title. The Swiss Family Robinson. His deep timbre crossed the room in waves as he recited dialogue from the story.

She almost turned away; the sight was so tender that it felt entirely private. Her heart swelled while it simultaneously broke. Scarlett didn't belong here in Aston Manor.

But then Leo looked up, as though he'd sensed her presence. Halting mid-speech, his gaze connected with hers. His eyes grew wide.

"Scarlett?" he muttered, barely loud enough for her to hear.

Two small, blonde heads whipped in her direction as well, following the lead of Leo. Scarlett's attention was drawn to the boy lying next to Leo. His small eyes peered inquisitively back at her as she took in his adorably round face. His features were unique; she'd never seen anyone who'd looked like him before.

Leo cleared his throat and gently moved away from the two boys, inching toward the edge of the bed. "You shouldn't be here, Lady Humphries."

When Scarlett first opened her mouth, nothing came out. But then she managed to speak. "I know I should not. But I had to speak to you."

Leo hesitated, glancing between her and the boys with a grim expression. His lips were pulled in a taut line.

"I am sorry to intrude on your story, however," Scarlett added. "If you allow, I will wait in the parlor downstairs until you are finished."

Immediately, Leo shook his head. He looked at the boys. "Run along to the nursery. We can finish reading later."

As the blonde-haired children jumped down from the bed, Scarlett realized that the one who had been sitting cross-legged was considerably taller than the other boy. They both rushed past Scarlett, but not without casting her a few curious glances.

And then it was just the two of them. Scarlett couldn't bring herself to step into the room. She looked around, noting the mahogany undertones of the stately room. A large fire was burning in the grate, and a few cozy-looking chairs sat beneath the window. Scarlett wondered if this was Leo's room.

She cleared her throat. "Leo—"

He halted her words, putting a hand up.

"That was my brother, Maverick, and his friend, Langdon. The taller one was Langdon. He recently stopped by my townhome to pick up some books for Maverick's studies, and that's likely what someone saw. I've been helping to tutor Maverick," Leo said softly.

Scarlett tried to keep her surprise from her face, but she could hear it clearly in her voice as she said, "You have?"

"Yes," Leo said succinctly. "Maverick is very behind in his learning. As you can see, he is...different."

Scarlett sucked in a breath, realizing the extent of the harm she had caused. "And that's why no one knows of him."

Leo nodded. He had been looking down at his hands the entire time until then. He lifted a somber gaze to hers. "It is for his own protection. When he was born, all of the doctors advised that he be sent away to a facility. But they couldn't convince my mother to part with Maverick."

"I'm sure he lives a much better life here at Aston Manor then he would anywhere else," Scarlett commented. Her stomach tightened uncomfortably with the knowledge of what she'd done with her words. Words. Broken apart, they were just insignificant letters with little meaning, but when put together, they had more power than any weapon.

"Yes," Leo agreed. Then he added with glare, "As long as he stays hidden. I don't need the public ridiculing my brother. He's..." Leo broke off, looking down at his hands again, folded in his lap. "He's the most important thing in my life," he whispered.

Tears started to well along Scarlett's lashes, and she struggled to hold them in. "I'm so sorry, Leo," she managed to get out. "I had no idea."

Leo glanced up at her. But he didn't say anything, so she took a step into the room and continued. "I was so upset with you." Leo opened his mouth to say something, but Scarlett put her hand up, halting his words this time. "I know I was wrong to be angry. If what you say is true, I should be thanking you for punching Lord Eades."

Leo scoffed. "If what I say is true? Still, you cannot trust me?"

"You have to understand that I am being told two different things. And I have no reason to mistrust Damien."

Leo made an annoyed face. "I cannot believe that Damien came running to you to tell on me as if we are school children."

Scarlett frowned, not really having anything to say to that. Instead, she quietly continued with her apology. "I was frustrated, Leo. It seems as though the ton allows you to do whatever you like. Perfect, handsome Lord Farrington. I just wanted you to see what it was like to live as I do for a change. To live in a place where your actions have consequences."

A little smile formed at the corner of Leo's mouth. "You think I'm handsome?"

Scarlett smirked, her expression matching his. But she ignored the question. "I know none of this will change what I have done, but I wanted to explain myself." She shook her head. "I'm so sorry. I'll write whatever you want to correct it."

Leo took a deep breath before standing. He took a step toward her and then stopped. Scarlett similarly took another two steps inside the room and looked to Leo expectantly. She was startled by how much she wanted his forgiveness. She wasn't sure what she'd do if he didn't grant it.

"And you will keep my family's secret?" he asked.

She nodded. "Of course."

Leo lifted a brow. "I am trusting you, Scarlett. Can you trust me in return?"

Scarlett nodded again, this time slower. It was hard for her to relinquish something as precious as trust, but she owed it to him. Leo closed the space between them, coming to stand in front of her.

"I am not a perfect man, Scarlett. My family isn't perfect, and I make mistakes. I likely shouldn't have hit Lord Eades, but I wanted to protect your honor. I know that actions have consequences."

Scarlett took a deep breath. "Fine," she replied. "I believe you."

Later, she would have to speak with Damien. But for now, she needed to believe what Leo was saying.

"Come sit," Leo said, abruptly spinning on his heel and moving back toward the bed.

He perched himself on the edge of it, and Scarlett glanced toward the armchairs in the corner, wondering why he'd forgone the more proper option.

Leo seemed to have noticed. "There is a considerable draft over there by the window. Besides, it isn't as though it is the first time we've shared a bed." He winked at her in a decidedly Leo kind of way.

For the first time since she'd arrived, Scarlett realized that his attire was more informal than she'd ever seen. His shirt collar was open, missing the perfectly tied cravat that usually sat there. Scarlett tried not to stare at the throat that was exposed without it. Not only was his necktie absent, but he was also missing a waistcoat, meaning that Leo was sitting before her in a simple white shirt.

Almost as if noticing where her attention was drawn, Leo began to lazily roll up his sleeves. Scarlett stared. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen a man's exposed forearms.

But of course, Leo wasn't aware that Scarlett was so inexperienced in the way of a man's body, so she hastily dropped her gaze and went to sit beside him on his bed, trying to grow comfortable with his proximity and lack of proper attire.

"What are we doing?" she finally prompted when he didn't make to say a word.

"You are trusting me," Leo said, his blue eyes sparkling as he looked down at her.

"With what?"

"Your own truth," he replied simply.

Scarlett couldn't help but laugh.

Her truth was buried beneath a web of lies and deceit, and she wasn't sure that anyone could untangle it. But for Leo, she just might try.