Page 45 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
A stilted silence stretched between them. Adelaide tried not to look, but she could not help it. The awkwardness appeared to have a powerful pull that drew her in. Leah’s cheeks were flushed a furious pink, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. Meanwhile, Jasper continued to wear an expression of complete bemusement.
“I apologize if it seems that way, Miss Green,” he replied at last. “The truth is, I do not know what it is that you desire me to say.”
A strangled whimper slipped from Miss Green’s throat. “My goodness, Lord Gillett, are you really so obtuse?”
“I—”
“I wish to know of your intentions, Lord Gillett,” she interjected coldly. “I hear from Adelaide that you admire and adore me, but I see no hint of that warmth from you. She has even told me that you do not care for societal dogma, so I know you have no qualms about my station. Regardless, your behavior remains almost platonic where I am concerned.”
Adelaide watched him visibly fumble for a reply. “It is my desire to be courteous, Miss Green.”
“What does that matter?”
He grimaced. “It means that… I do not quite know how to express myself when it comes to members of the fairer sex. I am ever-conscious of behaving in a decorous manner.”
“Then, allow me to speak plainly.”
Adelaide braced for what was to come.
“Do you care for me, Lord Gillett?” Miss Green asked, her voice worryingly quiet. A flicker of a warning lingered in her words. Evidently, there was a right and a wrong answer.
He froze.
Answer her! Heavens above, answer her! Tell her the truth of what is in your heart—the truth you have told me often enough when you speak of her.
“It is not as simple as caring for someone, Miss Green,” he began, causing all of Adelaide’s encouragement to plummet.
“Do you care for me?” Miss Green pressed, her hands balled into fists. Her voice wavered as she continued. “Do you think you could love me?”
Time seemed to slow down as the question hovered in the center of the room, heavy and unanswered. Jasper squirmed on his stool, his gaze seeking out Adelaide for help.
I cannot assist you this time, my dear friend. Leah will flounce out of here and never come back if I involve myself. This is one battle you must fight alone.She hoped that, deep within his subconscious, he could hear her.
“I care very much,” he said, at last. “I hold you in the highest esteem. Indeed, you have become a rather dear friend to me.”
“A friend?” The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Adelaide almost ducked for cover behind the armrest of her chair. He could not have chosen a worse word if he had tried. No lady wished to merely be a friend, not when they held feelings of love for a gentleman.
“Yes… you are a very dear friend to me. I relish the time we spend in one another’s company. And I confess, I look forward to the occasions where we might converse and get to know one another better,” he went on, digging himself a larger hole. “In that sense, there is still a great deal for me to discover.”
“You do not seem to understand, Lord Gillett.”
No, my dear Jasper, you do not.Adelaide stole a glance at the couple by the fire and wished she could be anywhere else. She had never seen her friend so desperately uncomfortable.
“Understand, Miss Green? What is there to understand?” A note of panic peppered his words.
“I am a lady of lesser means than you,” she replied. “There are certain things that are expected of me, especially given the station of my family. They have greater wealth than many fine lords and ladies, yet we lack the title to give us our proper place amongst high society. I am expected to make a fortuitous match.”
He frowned. “And you have sought me out to make such a match?”
“Again, Lord Gillett, you do not seem to understand.” She paused, heaving in a shaky breath. “You may think me blunt in my manner of speaking, but I must be honest with you. I have little else to lose. You see, against all odds, I had hoped to wed a man that I could truly love, who might also gift me with the benefits of a suitable title. I do not want to marry a man who does not care for me.”
He stared at her silently.
“And yet… it appears I have been mistaken in where I have placed my affections.” She shook her head slowly. “Perhaps, it was foolish of me to pin such hopes to you. I envisioned a fantasy, but I see that it cannot be attainable. My mother is putting a great deal of pressure upon me, as I am already reaching beyond a favorable age for marriage.”
If you are beyond a favorable age, Leah, where does that leave me?Adelaide wondered, for she was several years older than Miss Green.Although… I suppose I am engaged now. The pressure upon my shoulder has been somewhat alleviated.
“Miss Green, you must understand. I—”
