Page 29 of The Gentleman Was Right
“You’ve decided to paint me as a rogue when we both know I am not.” His smile dropped as he patted her hand. “You welcomed our betrothal. You agreed to it.”
She yanked her hand away. “Under false pretenses. You don’t love me. You don’t even like me.”
The look of pity on his face was unmistakable. “My dear Violet, that is entirely untrue, and you know it. I apologize if the manner in which I courted you gave you unrealistic expectations, but I thought you’d appreciate a bit of romance.”
She bristled with indignation. The worst part was that shehadappreciated it. She’d fallen for him, while he’d been doing nothing more than feigning interest in her. If he hadn’t been so attentive, she would not have become infatuated, and she definitely would not have been devastated to see him in the arms of another woman.
When she had confronted him, he’d revealed that he was in love with the woman he’d been kissing. He saw no issue with the fact that he’d been in love with another when he’d met Violet. Apparently, the fact that his paramour was content to allow him to marry Violet—with the understanding that he would love and support her and the children they created together while he feigned his marriage to Violet—was all that mattered to him.
Violet had been heartbroken.
And appalled.
And angry.
What sort of man loved one woman and married another?
A scoundrel.
Once Violet had had the chance to process the fact that everything between her and Basil had been a lie, she had told him in a most convincing fashion that she wouldnevermarry him, but he had refused to believe her.
Refused.
Even worse than his refusal was the fact that he’d expected her to carry on as if nothing were amiss. He’d honestly thought that she’d like it if he continued pretending that he loved her. She had finally managed to convince him that she did not enjoy his false declarations of affection, but that was as far as she’d progressed in her plan to never lay eyes on him again.
“I would appreciate it if you vacated my father’s house and permanently removed yourself from my life,” she said through clenched teeth.
He had the nerve to chuckle. “That’ll never happen. I made a promise to your father, and I will fulfill it.”
She wanted to scream. She’d known he wouldn’t leave. And she’d known that she shouldn’t return. And yet she had anyway.
She reminded herself that she wasn’t completely without options. Edward might not love her any more than Basil did, and she might have lost her head when he kissed her, but he was proof that she could marry another if she chose to. “You oughtn’t be so secure in your position.”
He chuckled again. “Why not?”
“Because I am earnest when I say I shall not marry you, and if you continue to refuse to believe me, I will find a way to make our marriage impossible.”
“My dear Violet, I do not doubt your resolve. However, at this point you don’t really have a choice, do you?” He smiled smugly. “There aren’t any stipulations on receiving your full inheritance other than marrying. Are you really going to make do with your measly allowance forever? How will you ever secure a husband for Isabelle if you cannot offer a dowry?”
“Whatever do you mean?” she asked.
“I can probably manage to cover the household expenses indefinitely, but it’ll be years before I acquire enough funds to dower your sister on my own.”
How dare he? “Are you saying you will sabotage my sister’s future unless I marry you?”
He looked down his nose at her as if she were incompetent. “I’m saying that, just like you, I cannot access your full fortune untilafterwe are married. Your father was not a fool. He wanted you safe and well cared for, but not taken advantage of, so your allowance is readily available, but that is it.”
“You don’t have full access to my inheritance?” Why had she assumed he held control of her funds?
“Of course not. We’ve been living off my income because I don’t haveanyaccess to your inheritance. Not until we’re married.”
“And if we never marry?”
“I suppose we would remain as we are.”
“What if I married someone else?”
He laughed heartily. “You love me.”
