Page 39 of Foolish Bride
“I will make my best effort.”
Crossing her arms, she bore holes into him with her bright blue eyes.
Kissing that expression off her face was out of the question. He wanted to win her, not vex her. “I promise I will not be angry with you, Elinor, no matter what was on your list.”
She turned her back to him. “I do not think you were at all fair to me when you decided to end our engagement. I was given no say in the matter. You have not been honest from the start, when I came to you on what was to be our wedding night, you were quite cruel.”
“I am sorry.” It wasn’t enough, but what more could he say?
“You betrayed me.” She turned to him.
His heart ached. “I was trying to protect you.”
“Pft…” She waved her hand.
It was time for some honesty. “And I was angry.”
She stared at him with one hand on her chest. “Angry with me?”
“Never.” How was he going to make her understand? “I was angry over my situation. I had lost everything I ever wanted. Not to mention that my personal business was all over London, and not at all flattering.”
“I do not know if I can forgive what you’ve done. Whenever I see you, I am filled with rage.” Eyes like daggers, fists clenched at her sides, and her back as stiff as an oak, her ferocity left no doubt of the truth in her statement.
“I never meant to hurt you, Elinor. In fact, it was the one thing I swore never to do. I want you to be happy. I can accept if that happiness may be with another man, but please don’t say you will never forgive me. I do not think I could bear that.”
“I shall try to forgive you. That is all I can promise.”
“I am grateful.” He bowed. Moving closer again, he stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles.
She leaned into his touch, and he couldn’t help pulling her into his arms and breathing in her sweet scent. “My God, Elinor, you are so perfect.”
He kissed her head and her ear, and when his lips touched hers, she whimpered. He released her and backed away. “I am sorry. I lost my head. I had no right.”
She stared at him, her blue eyes wide.
Clearing his throat, he searched for words to keep her from running away. “May I ask what was on the list in my favor?”
She blinked a few times, and her expression blanked. Her eyes misted over. “I love you.” She turned and ran back to her friends.
* * * *
Still giddy from Elinor’s declaration, Michael arrived home. He had heard her say that she loved him many times before and during their engagement, but in the park her words gave him hope. If only he could be sure he would be able to make her happy. A foolish notion, since no one received those kinds of assurances.
His butler opened the front door. “Mr. Rollins awaits you in your study, your grace.” Dalton’s gray eyes were far too serious for his age, though appropriate for his station.
“Sheldon was sent home from school?” Michael handed over his hat and gloves. His youngest brother was often in some kind of minor trouble. He was fourteen and, much like Michael, had trouble focusing on school. Father had given him a particularly severe whipping the last time he’d been sent home after playing a prank on the headmaster.
Dalton said, “It is Master Everett who has arrived in your absence, your grace.”
“Everett?” He had never had any problems from Everett. Quiet and shy, he’d been a fine student who would take a first upon graduation.
Dalton confirmed with a nod and removed himself from the foyer.
In the study, Everett stood at the window, reading a book. Tall and lean, Everett was the image of Michael, albeit a far more studious version.
Everett turned and closed the book. “Your grace.” He bowed.
That wouldn’t do at all. “Everett, you need not call me by a title. I am still your brother before I am a duke.”
