Page 35 of The Lady Was Lying
“This time. What about next time? It’s an unnecessary risk.”
“I’ve gone out on my own at night before. You don’t have any reason to worry about me,” she assured him.
“I wasn’t worried,” he lied.
It would be beyond foolish to worry. Her safety wasn’t his responsibility. With her cloak fastened at her neck and her body completely obscured by its folds, it might be possible for her to blend into the night. Not easy, but—his heart stuttered as the reason she seemed different hit him with stunning clarity. She was making no effort to use her body to enchant him.
“My mistake,” she responded, and then as if confirming what he’d just realized, she didn’t argue or thrust her bosom in his direction. He wanted to demand answers. Why had she given up? Had their almost kiss satisfied her? Although if it had, why was she in his carriage?
“Are you going to tell me about your realization?” he asked abruptly.
“Of course.” She bit her lip. “It’s just…I owe you an apology. My behavior toward you has been inappropriate. I don’t have an excuse other than to say that I’ve been exceedingly out of sorts recently. You had every right to decline to kiss me, and I’m aware that my response to your refusal was…not impressive. I should have left you alone after you rejected me. I’m old enough to know that I can’t always get what I want. Regardless of what almost happened between us, I will not attempt to seduce you again.” She paused, her expression serious. “You have my word.”
He nodded, even though he didn’t understand. Yesterday they had nearly kissed, and today she was giving up. It didn’t make sense. What had changed?
He could not deny that, when he’d realized she was in his carriage, a strange sort of anticipation had stolen over him. He’d assumed she’d come to do as she’d claimed—unleash her charm and try to tempt him into breaking his rules. It was somehow irrelevant that he’d told her that he’d never allow her to succeed. “I appreciate the apology, though it is unnecessary. My self-control would have withstood whatever you attempted.”
It was a lie, but she didn’t call him on it.
Instead, she replied, “I suppose we will never know.”
“I suppose not.” Disappointment threatened to choke him. “If that is all, I will drop you at Greydon’s townhouse.” He reached up to inform the coachman they were taking her home.
“No,” she practically shouted.
“No?” he parroted, hope rising as he dropped his arm into his lap.
“I mean…yes. I would appreciate it if you dropped me at home.”
Hope crumbling, he nodded and briskly informed the coachman of their destination. An awkward silence settled over the carriage as they slowed and turned a corner. It pained him to admit that she was no less alluring when she wasn’t trying. Why was he so aware of her when all they were doing was sharing the same space?
“Why?” he asked when the quiet became interminable.
She did not pretend to misunderstand. “I cannot seduce you while you seek a wife. It would not be well done of me.”
“You already knew of my intention to marry. I explained the very night we met.”
She sighed. “I’m not proud of myself. I’ve never been rejected before. Can’t say I liked it much. I lashed out at you, even though I knew I shouldn’t. My behavior was born of frustration, not spite, but that doesn’t make it right.”
“You are a hard woman to understand.” The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Soft laughter spilled from her lips. “If you manage to figure me out, you will be the first.”
He wanted to be the first. “If I ask you a question, will you answer me honestly?”
“Probably not.”
“You’d lie?” he asked.
“Maybe. I cannot promise you the truth.”
“Whyever not?” What could she hope to achieve by lying?
Her voice softened to almost a whisper. “Because sometimes, I don’t know the truth.”
What could she possibly mean by that? And why did he care?
“Why are you really in my carriage?” An apology didn’t seem like enough of a reason, and he was curious what she’d say, even if she didn’t offer the truth.
