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“If you were not engaged to me officially, your brother would have found some other way to get to you. I know him well enough to know that this alone would not have stopped him. I think you know that too.”
He was right, of course, but it still felt wrong.
He took her by the shoulders and brought her against his chest. “This is the only way to fully protect you against him.”
“And when I cry off?”
“You can disappear, as seems to be your wish, and live amongst sheep.”
She pulled back and rolled her eyes at him. “What if I did not cry off?”
“What do you mean?” he asked, taking her hands.
Looking up at him, she studied him for a moment before saying, “What if I refuse to break the engagement?”
He shrugged. “Then you will be engaged for a very long time. But, Rose, eventually you will want to marry. A sheep farmer perhaps, or a Scotsman who also has sheep.” His voice was soft, and he twirled one of her curls around his finger, but there was definitely the beginning of a smile at the side of his lips.
“I don’t even like sheep,” she said.
“What a pity.” He tipped up her chin. “Let’s stick to the original plan then. You may live at Ashtonvale as long as you wish.” He kissed her on the forehead.
“Will you ever visit?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Rose took a step back. “Why are you so scared of her?”
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not scared of her. I’m scared for her.”
“I do not understand.”
“You do not need to understand.”
“I want to know your side. Why is that such a horrible thing?”
“Because it is none of your business, so please, do not ask me again.”
Rose turned away and walked back to the window. “So, I will be banished to Ashtonvale too, like all your things you do not wish to deal with?”
She could hear the frown in his voice. “I am not forcing you to go anywhere, Rose.”
“What if I want to stay here with you?” Rose turned to see what his reaction would be.
He raised his brows only. “You are welcome to do that until the dowager leaves.”
Rose brought herself in front of him again. “What if I don’t leave at all?”
“That would not be possible.”
She placed her hands on his chest. “What if I crawled into your bed and never left?”
He pulled her against him. “Do not tempt me with such visions.”
“Why do you want me in your bed but not in your heart?”
“My heart is not worthy of one such as you, Rose.”
Oh, Edward, you fool. “Why can I not be the judge of that?”
