Page 79 of Unmasking the Earl

Her face became serious. “I appreciate that you have ridden all this way to find me,” she said. “But as you can probably guess, I cut short my visit to Portia so I wouldn’t have to see you or Julian again. At least, not until I’d decided how I feel about you both.”

His heart did cartwheels inside his chest. “And what do you feel?”

“Very confused.”

“If you want an apology, let me give you one. I apologize, with all my heart, for kissing you in public. For discussing you with Mr. Carnforth. I should never have done either.”

“And for that horrible remark in the churchyard?”

He frowned. “What remark?”

Her mouth drooped. “You don’t remember? Your cruel question about whose bed I’d prefer to share…?”

He grimaced, mortified by his unforgivable insult, and took her hand again. “I’m so very sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I was angry and— No, it was inexcusable, and I shall regret it to my dying day.”

She eased out a breath. “Yes. I’ve no doubt. But how am I to know it’s not how you truly feel about me, deep down? From my first meeting with Captain Wycherley, you were convinced my behavior lacked propriety. And I’ve done nothing but prove you right.”

“Not true! I was worried for you because you were an innocent, and I knew Wycherley was less than honorable.”

She looked up at him. “And yet, your sister loves him, and he wants to do right by her, and do the honorable thing.”

“Evidently.” He scowled. He didn’t want to talk about that now. He still hadn’t secured Cassie’s promise.

But before he could turn the subject back to their own betrothal, she asked, “Are you going to permit her to marry Wycherley?”

“I haven’t decided,” he said shortly. “I haven’t forgiven him for what he did to her.”

“Oh, but you must. For her sake. She loves him!”

Damn it, they were arguing again. How did this always happen?

“I’ll bear it in mind,” he said. “Now, can we get back to—” But his words were cut off by the loud blast of the coachman’s horn.

Cassie seized her reticule and leaped to her feet. “The coach. I must go.”

He caught her by the shoulders and pulled her against him. “No. Stay. We are not yet finished talking.”

“I need time to think, Ned,” she said, pulling away from him. “About your offer, and Julian’s. Grant me that.”

The next instant, she was running back up the street toward the coaching inn.

He should run after her, catch her, and kiss her senseless. Kiss her until all doubts and all thoughts of Julian Carnforth were banished from her mind. By which time the coach would have departed and she would be his to look after, his to convey back to her papa, his to cherish and to love and to marry…

But his feet refused to move.

He didn’t know if his heart could take any more uncertainty. Was she truly considering accepting Carnforth over him? Even after she’d so willingly and lovingly gifted him her innocence? His pride rebelled at the idea of pursuing her any further until he knew he’d succeed.

But he had no choice.

He could not lose her.

She would marry that fickle, venal Mr. Carnforth over his dead body!

“I will find a way to win her hand,” he vowed aloud.

He would think of a grand gesture that would amaze and impress her.

And win her heart forever.