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“I… I don’t wish to marry a man who does not love me, Thomas.”
Thomas cocked his head. “You shall have no choice in the matter, I’m afraid. At this point, the kisses I’ve stolen have bound us together. I didn’t know this, but Lord Polk witnessed the kiss at my father’s gravesite. If he tells your brother…”
Tricia swallowed. “Who told you that?”
“My cousin. He found you outside with Polk.”
Her cheeks burned. “My lord, I assure you I’m not in the habit of kissing every gentleman who dances with me.”
“Believe me, I know Polk well enough to know that he instigated anything that happened. Jonathan told me as much as well.”
“But is Lord Polk not your friend?”
“He is. That doesn’t mean he’s a gentleman. Not that I’ve been acting gentlemanly toward you either. Two stolen kisses…”
“They were not stolen, Thomas. I gave them to you freely.”
“You did not. I initiated both of them.”
“And I did not stop you.”
“You did last year. At the gravesite.”
Tricia absently brought her hands to her lips that still bore a lovely sting from the earl’s kiss.
He was correct, of course. She had pushed him away. But not because she didn’t want the kiss.
Because she knew it was improper, and frankly, she’d been frightened.
But tonight she felt no fear. She felt only longing and yearning.
“Perhaps,” she admitted, “but that doesn’t mean?—”
He shook his head, rubbing his forehead. “How did I let this get so out of control? Go, now, Tricia. Return to the ball. Your mother is no doubt worried, and so is your brother.”
“But I?—”
“I said go!”
Tricia’s eyes widened, and this time a slice of fear coursed into her. The earl had become belligerent, and she turned and scurried down the narrow staircase.
Once she was back on the third floor, she stood, her back to the wall, her breath catching.
What had she been thinking? She’d been ready to give herself to a man outside of wedlock. A man she loved, no doubt, but a man who clearly felt nothing more for her than a lustful attraction.
She wanted him, yes.
But she also wanted love.
Cameron had married Rose for love, and Tricia often stole glances at the two of them looking into each other’s eyes as if the world around them simply didn’t exist.
That was what Tricia wanted.
She wanted love.
And she wanted it from Thomas.
She turned as Thomas exited the narrow stairwell. She bit into her lip. Would he yell at her again? He’d told her to return to the ball.
