Page 61 of Foolish Bride
Wide-eyed, he cocked his head. “I do not know.”
“You do not?”
A slow grin spread across his face. “It seems to only be an issue when I become intimate as we were in the orangery.”
“Then you have not…”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His kiss was warm on the crown of her head. “I have no desire to be in such a state with anyone but you, Elinor.”
Her entire body quivered from his touch. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled a mixture of spices and Michael. She longed to drown in the aroma. Her body and brain battled. She pulled away “I thought all men find their pleasure where they can.”
“Not all men, Elinor.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers.
It was time to get to the heart of things between them. “I do not trust you.”
“I know.” He looked at the ground.
“You broke my heart.”
“I am sorry.”
“That’s not good enough.” Her chest ached with wanting him and knowing she should walk away and never look back.
He touched her chin and met her gaze. “I know it’s not, and I shall endeavor to prove to you that I will never hurt you again.”
A tear slipped from her eye and she dashed it away. “I do not know if that’s possible, Michael.”
“I have to try.” The pain on his face and in his voice hurt her.
He suffered as much as she did. She feared if she spoke she might cry. After a quick nod, she went to rejoin the ladies in the parlor for cake.
* * * *
Dressing for a proposal that she had no intention of accepting turned out to be quite a difficult task. By the time Elinor finally left her room and crossed the lawn, she was hopeful that Middleton had given up.
His strong handsome figure, standing in the middle of the gazebo, quashed the happy thought. He looked out over the pond. Preston Knowles was a year older than Michael, but looked younger. The sun cast shadows against his skin and strong jaw. Preston had an ease about him. There was no pall hanging over his head. He was always smiling and chatting, a moment from hearing a good story.
Her heart clenched at all Michael had endured in the service, and the toll it had taken on him.
Elinor stopped several yards from the gazebo and considered running back and locking herself in her room for the rest of the house party. She could claim an illness, and only Dory and Sophia would know the truth. Mother would be a problem, but she could handle her.
Mulling over her options, Elinor looked up and found Middleton watching her. “I wonder if you will come the rest of the way since you have made it this far,” he called out.
She had no choice but to meet his gaze and complete the journey to the gazebo. “I am sorry.”
“Whatever for?” He offered his arm and led her to the side facing the pond.
“I hesitated.”
His smile was warm and kind. “It is not a crime.”
“Hmm.” At the edge of the structure, she dropped his arm and put a few feet between them.
He moved behind her, only inches separating his mouth from her ear. “May I know what you are thinking?”
The grounds at Marlton were stunning, but her mind was occupied with more serious matters. “That my mother would disagree with you.”
“About hesitation?”
