Page 43 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Yet, Aidan and Cole had not wanted to leave their mother either. They knew that Jacob would have been unbearable for her to deal with alone, and Aidan was much too protective over Lydia to let anymore happen to her while they were away for years.
So, the boys and Lydia had been beaten soundly for their shared decision and Jacob had left for months after that. Not even giving Lydia the smallest pittance.
It was hard on them, those months. They had learned much then. About cooking, sewing and more. Because they had to. But it was also wonderful and brought them closer as a family.
But because of the boys not going to Eton, it sealed their fates that they were different, and people judged them even more for it.
Rose sighed and once again hated that anyone could assume that they were normal.
They were not normal, but she would not trade her childhood and her many lessons and the time she got to spend with her mother and her siblings for a perfect education at the hands of a governess.
She was grateful that she had the knowledge she had. That she was not just an empty-headed girl that only saw men for their title and riches.
Deciding that enough was enough, and that she was good and done with this, with the men and women of the ton, she stepped outside of the retiring room when a hand closed over her mouth.
She fought him for a moment before realizing just who held her in their arms.
Cabe. She fought all the harder to get out of his embrace and he whispered in her ear, “Stop fighting me Rose. I just needed to see you.”
He pulled her from the hallway and when she kicked and fought some more, Cabe said, “Be still! Do you want someone to see you in my arms? You know the consequence of such behavior.”
Rose went stock still and Cabe said, “Do you want to walk alongside me? I need to speak with you.”
She nodded and Cabe pulled his hand from her mouth. Pulling her arm through his, he walked out onto the terrace and down a lit walkway.
It was freezing cold and in moments, Rose was shivering. Cabe pulled his large greatcoat off his shoulders and over hers and when they made it to his carriage, Rose blanched.
“What are you doing? I cannot leave with you, nor do I want to. I am here with Persephone and just needed a moment to myself. I need to get back to her side. If you will please excuse me.”
She took his coat from her shoulders and handed it back to him. Cabe took it from her and placed it over her once again.
Pulling the lapels of the coat tight, he pulled her right into his chest. “I told you that I need to speak with you. I already sent Persephone a note explaining why you left. Please Rose.”
Rose shook her head, “Cabe, I cannot do this. No, I will not do this. I have been hurt too many times because of you and how you keep pushing me away. I will not do it any longer. I am done being your puppet and having you pull all my strings. Please excuse me.”
She tried to push his hands off the coat so she could get back inside the house, and he snarled down at her.
“I have my reasons for not speaking with you. For keeping you at arm's length. You have no idea how hard it has been to do so. Please Rose, I beg you. I need to speak with you.”
Rose shook her head and bit her lip. “I don’t want to hear it, Cabe. I know how men think. You got what you wanted from me and then cast me aside. I will not be used like that. I just want to move on with my life. To finally be happy. Do what you need to do Cabe but let me leave. Please.”
Cabe snarled again, “I would never use you like that, not ever. Did you not hear me when I said you are the only woman; I would allow to touch me? The only woman I have ever wanted?”
Rose did not answer and Cabe cursed, “Fuck this.”
Then he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder, before placing her into his carriage.
Rose started hitting him, “Cabe! Damn you! Let me go! Right this moment! I don’t want to go with you!”
Cabe pulled both her hands into one of his own and he slid off the bench seat to the floor. On his knees in front of her.
He put his head in her lap and she was so surprised that she stopped moving, stopped breathing.
“Cabe! What are you doing?” She said breathlessly, and he looked up at her, there was something in his eyes that gave her pause, “Showing you just what you mean to me.”
Rose bit her lip and he continued, “I want you to know my reasons for keeping my distance from you is not any of your doing. It is not because we made love and I wanted to be done with you. That is the furthest thing from my mind. My body aches for yours. To be one with you again and again. To make you mine over and over again. Day after day. To show you that I am yours. I just have things happening that I cannot discuss with you right now. But I had to see you. Had to hold you and kiss you. I couldn't’ stay away from you for another second. My heart and soul needed to be with its other half again.”
Rose shut her eyes, everything he was saying was what she had longed to hear for weeks and she nodded, “Do you promise to tell me when you are ready?”
Opening her eyes, she saw Cabe nod. “I swear on my life, that when it is time, I will tell you.”
Rose smiled at him, “All right.”
Cabe leaned forward and kissed her softly. “Thank you.”
He placed her in his lap, and she turned to kiss him softly.
He put his forehead to hers and said, “I won’t disappoint you.”
