Page 19 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
Too soon, the spell broke and she released him, taking one step back in retreat.
“I don’t need you to beg, only to understand. Back then, I’d become convinced that—” She caught herself and pressed her lips together.
He willed her to go on, even shifted his gaze from hers to let her know he’d simply listen. It was better if she said it than he.
But silence fell between them. Silence and a tension that made him yearn for the right words to make things better.
Bella bit down until her jaw ached. She’d come so close, but she couldn’t bring herself to admit how silly she’d been.
For years she’d imagined this moment.
His apology had come as easily as she expected. Deep down, she knew he’d never wished to hurt her. They’d always protected each other, defended each other, kept each other’s secrets.
But when she imagined this moment, she’d seen herself aloof. An impenetrable wall of calm and poise.
But now he was here. So close she could touch him. So near she could smell his familiar scent. And she wasn’t doing anything she’d vowed she would do. Her heart was betraying her, aching in that old familiar way. Not as sharp as it had once. A duller pain. But enough to make her realize this could never work.
Playing nice, resuming their friendship, pretending as if all the rest hadn’t passed between them—it was as impossible as walking downstairs and agreeing to marry a stranger.
His gaze was full of tenderness, yearning. “I was wrong, Bella.”
“I was foolish too.”
“You?” His mouth curved. “Even at eighteen, you were the least foolish young woman I’d ever known. I can’t imagine how clever you must be now.” He swallowed hard. “It’s bloody terrifying.”
“Iamcleverer.” Bella straightened her back. “And more clearheaded than the girl you used to know.”
For a long silent moment neither of them spoke, giving her another opportunity to study him. He was still the most handsome man she’d ever seen. There were lines at the corner of his eyes, a few curving at the edges of his mouth, but they only made him look more dashing. Laugh lines, of course. No one enjoyed frivolity more than Rhys Forester.
No, he was Claremont now. Perhaps it was time to let the past go. Time to let go of the anger and hurt she’d held on to for so long.
They could never be friends again. She would always remember how much she wanted more. He still affected her too much. But it felt right to make peace.
“I forgive you.” Once they were out, the words loosened something in her. As if they weren’t simply words but a key that dissolved the pain and uncertainty she’d harbored.
They seemed to free him too. He let out a relieved breath and smiled. Not one of his dashing meant-to-charm smiles, but the genuine one. A bit crooked and imperfect, with no pretense.
He was far too appealing. He always had been.
Best she ended this unexpected visit and put the Duke of Claremont out of her mind.
“I fear we must stop our game. We have guests, but I appreciate your visit.” Returning to the drawing room and attempting charm among strangers was not what she wanted, but it was what she’d promised to do.
They had nothing left to offer each other. The favor she’d thought of asking him was silly, and would only prolong a connection it was wiser to sever.
All the warmth drained from Rhys’s expression. “This wasn’t merely a social call, Bella. It’s ten in the evening and I wasn’t invited to your party.”
She’d been so overwhelmed by the sight of him that the oddness of him bursting into a house party unannounced hadn’t yet crossed her mind. Earlier she’d asked him why he’d returned to Essex, and he hadn’t even answered that question directly.
“I need your help.”
Her heartbeat had steadied the moment she’d forgiven him, but it thudded faster now.
Her silence prompted him to step closer. “Is it selfish of me to come after all this time and ask that of you?”
When she took a breath to answer emphatically yes, he lifted a finger and held it hovering over her lips.
“Don’t answer that. I know it is, but there’s no one else I trust.”
