Page 42 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
There is no more. You are betrothed to another man.
The thought was like sudden shower of cold water. She struggled in his hold and immediately he let her go.
‘Oh, I am sorry,’ she gasped. ‘I am so sorry. I cannot do this…it is wrong!’
* **
Flora’s distress was all too clear in her voice. Matt dragged in a harsh breath, and another, fists clenched at his sides as he fought down the desire that threatened to overwhelm him. The hood had slipped back and her fiery curls trembled as she sobbed.
He said raggedly, ‘No. No, don’t cry, Flora, this is not your fault.’
‘Oh, but it is,’ she cried, looking up. ‘Don’t yousee, I should never have come to Bellemonte!’
Instinctively he opened his arms and she fell against him, tearing off her mask and burying her face in his shoulder as the tears flowed, unrestrained. He held her, resting his cheek against her hair until at last she grew calmer.
‘I beg your pardon,’ she said, her voice muffled against his coat, ‘I should not have allowed this.’
‘Nay, sweetheart. Don’t blame yourself. We were swept away by the music and dancing and the night air.’
‘And I know you are not the marrying sort,’ she muttered, ‘You told me so, yourself.’
‘Yes, I did, didn’t I?’
Matt looked up at the black canopy of the trees overhead. It was true, marriage was not for him. Neither was stealing another man’s bride.
He reached up one hand and gently pushed an errant curl behind her ear.
‘I should have known better than to escort a beautiful woman to a ball. It was inevitable I would want to kiss her.’
His attempt at easing the mood fell flat. Another shuddering sob racked Flora’s delicate frame and his arms tightened. This was not what he had planned. He had wanted to show Flora the gardens, to strengthen their friendship in the hope that she would help him recover his property. Instead he had proved himself to be the very worst sort of rogue. He had known from the first that Flora was an innocent and yet he had flirted outrageously with her.
Confound it, he had damned well nearly seduced her!
Reluctantly he let her go. She had found a handkerchief from somewhere and was wiping her eyes.
‘I think I should go back to the hotel now.’
‘Of course.’
He scooped up her mask from the floor and handed it to her, standing silent. She fixed it in place just as a party of revellers came into view and surged unsteadily along the path. Matt helped her pull up her hood.
‘I had better escort you.’
He thought she might object, but she merely nodded and they set off, side by side, not touching. In silence.
‘What will you do now?’ asked Matt, as theyapproached the entrance gates. He could see the square, flickering with lamps, before them.
‘I shall go back to Whilton and forget all about this.’ She added, after a slight pause, ‘Not completely, I am not sure I shall ever do that.’
‘I only hope I have not ruined you,’ he murmured.
‘Not at all,’ said Flora robustly. ‘It was only one kiss.’
But what a kiss! Matt had never experienced such heat, such desire with any woman before. He had been lost as soon as their lips met.
Forbidden fruit always tastes sweeter. You’ll get over it. As will Flora.
He straightened his shoulders. He must make this as easy as possible for her.
