Page 67 of The Duchess He Couldn’t Resist

“Do you think because the bruises have faded and your nose is set that my heart is settled?”

“I…”

“Do you think I don’t dread the day you will come back in a worse state than you came the last time? Do you even feel my relief when you stay where I can see you, where I know you’re safe?”

“This is something that I have to do.”

“What if it were me out there?”

“This is not the same.”

“What would you feel if you knew that I was out there?”

“I thought I warned you never to speak of it again. Johnny and his gang will never lay their hands on you again.”

“But they might lay their hands on you again. And I will be here sitting and waiting, unable to do anything to stop it.”

“I’m sorry. I have to see this through, Marigold.”

“Why? Why can’t you just let go? Am I not enough? Being at your side, knowing that you saved me like you would have saved Greta?”

Brandon looked up, trying to control his raging emotions, but Marigold would not take a step back from this, not if she could protect him.

“Yes, you are safe,” he said, looking back into her eyes. “And yes, somehow that fact makes the sharp blade of memories more dull.”

Marigold took a step closer and placed both her hands on his chest, feeling his heart beating fast. She looked up into his eyes, begging.

“Then let go. Please let go, and stay home.”

Brandon looked down at her with a pained expression. He placed his hands over hers, just breathing for a few moments.

“Marigold,” he said in a devastating tone, “tell me truly if this is enough for you, and I will stop. Is it enough for you if I came home while you know that other girls are being threatened the way you were threatened? That Johnny and his goons are still out there hurting people as they hurt you, like they hurt Greta?”

She frowned and closed her eyes, letting her forehead drop on his chest.

“Tell me that you can live with this, and I will stay home every night. I will make this somebody else’s problem.”

When Marigold looked back at him, she had tears running down her face. She hated that he was right. It was the easy way out, to look away, to pretend none of it was important, that it was out of their hands. She was saved. She was out. So…

There were still girls out there. Girls below her station. Girls like her who were pawed upon by Donny shamelessly. She shook her head, trying to reconcile what her heart desired and what she knew was right.

“I know,” Brandon said and cradled her face. “I am tempted too, Marigold.”

More tears streamed down her cheeks, and he wiped them with his thumbs.

“I am tempted to leave this all behind. To tear down this wall, throw everything away into the fireplace. Just so I can be home safe every night. So that you sleep better.”

Her fingers curled into his shirt. She took one shaky breath.

“Promise me you will be careful.”

“Don’t worry, I⁠—”

“I will worry, Brandon. Just please, please, be careful. No more recklessness.”

Brandon said nothing. He simply nodded at her, letting his forehead rest on hers as they both closed their eyes.

“I will come back to you every time.”