Page 14 of The Viscount's Promise
He looked at her, his eyes dark and intent. She knew what he was doing. He was trying to prove his superiority, to force her to look away first. Crossing her arms belligerently, she stared right back.
He gave a small shrug and continued along the path. The small thrill of victory she had from him backing down from their juvenile staring competition was short lived, however, as he called back to her, “Hmm, funny that.”
She should ignore him, should not feed his ego by demanding he explain. But, standing there alone on the small dirt road, watching him walk away from her, she found she could not let it go. Picking up her skirts in both hands, she ran after him. “What did you mean by that?” she demanded when she came abreast of him.
“You say you will not allow yourself to be treated as a weak person, that you will not allow yourself to be bullied. And yet you permit everyone to treat you as if you’re made of glass. How do you expect those of a meaner nature to treat you when you present yourself as such to the world?”
Even through her fury she felt the heat of mortification flush her cheeks. Was that true? Did she allow everyone around her to coddle her in such a way? But she would not let him see he had affected her. She glared up at him. “People like you, my lord?”
His lip quirked sardonically and he gave a little mocking bow of his head in her direction. “As you wish.”
“You play with me. But I am stronger than I look.”
“So you say. But as I have not seen proof that such a statement is at all true, you will excuse my doubts.”
Done with the conversation, she stopped in the path, thinking he would go on ahead and leave her in peace. To her consternation, he stopped as well and looked at her expectantly. She let out a frustrated breath. “Why are you doing this? Why can’t you leave me alone? I know you don’t like me.”
To his credit, he honestly looked surprised at her words. “What put that notion in your head?”
So he thought to play with her, did he? “Please,” she scoffed. “You have made no secret of it. Your disdain is clear in every word you speak to me.”
He gave a short laugh. “Disdain? Hardly. You must have a very active imagination, my lady.”
She clenched her hands at her sides, barely managing to keep herself from striking out at him. The sudden desire for violence shocked her. Never had anyone brought about such a reaction in her. “Do me the credit of respecting my intelligence,” she snapped. “Ever since you arrived you have been at me, belittling me with your meanness. You may think you are superior to me, but anyone who torments others as you do is no better than the vilest creature crawling in the dirt at my feet.”
He actually had the gall to smile. It stunned her momentarily...until he started up a slow, maddening clap, making her humiliation complete.
She was about to turn and stalk back to the house, anything to get away from him. Until he spoke, stopping her in her tracks.
“Well done, Lady Emily. I always knew you had more backbone than you let on.”
She frowned at the admiration—admiration?—lighting up his face. “What are you blathering about?”
He regarded her with narrowed eyes. “You are a spirited woman, Lady Emily. And yet you continue to hide behind this very pale copy of yourself. Why?”
“Do you mean to tell me you have done this on purpose?” The mere idea was preposterous. The smile he gifted her with, however, was answer enough. He had pushed and prodded her until she had blown up in his face in the most embarrassing manner. And he had been trying for just that result?
“You are mad,” she whispered.
He shrugged away her words. “Perhaps. But you have to admit, my method is working.”
She searched his face, at an utter loss. “Butwhy?”
His expression sobered. “Because you deserve more in life than to be the forgotten sister in the corner.”
Just like that, her anger melted away. In its place was confusion, and a deep ache that settled heavy in her chest. That was quite the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her. And from the man who had been making her life hell for the past days.
He must have seen her bewilderment, for he smiled and offered his arm. She looked at it blankly for a moment before placing her fingers on it. They began to trace the steps of the others slowly, almost leisurely. And suddenly Emily was glad for it. She was much too shaken at the moment to be any good in company.
“I have stunned you,” he murmured.
She gave him a disbelieving glance. “Did you expect anything less?”
“No, I suppose not. It was not well done of me, to prod you in such a manner.”
That was an understatement if there ever was one. “I don’t understand you,” she muttered.
He chuckled, but the sound had more of bitterness than mirth to it. “Not many do.”
