Page 29 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
“And you’re looking too far ahead toward troubles that may never arise.”
With a weighty sigh, she withdrew her hand from his.The effort the separation required offered warning enough that she needed to end this conversation.And this association.“I’ve become a pessimist, Sir Hugo.Life has taught me to expect the worst.”
As he registered her implacable tone, he went back to frowning.“You mean to send me away.”
Athene retreated a pace.More effort.Every cell of her body screamed that she was going in the wrong direction.Instead, she should fling herself into his arms and stay there.“Yes.”
“Will you at least think about my proposal?”
She was shaking her head before he finished his question.“I have thought, and while I’m very flattered, it will not do.”
“You believe I’m just like the cur who broke your heart?”
“No, I believe you’re a good man,” she said in a toneless voice.
He was.He’d proven that tonight.He hadn’t used his strength to force her to do his will, only to protect her.And he must know that when he kissed her, she lost all grip on common sense.Even this untenable proposal showed that he was a good man.She’d had her share of unwelcome propositions.Honorable offers of marriage?None of those.
“But misguided.”
“When you have a chance to consider—”
A decisive sweep of that capable hand cut her off.“Don’t treat me like a fool.Do me that favor, at least.You’re the woman I want to spend my life with.I’m not shallow.I’m not given to sudden whimsies.You’re the wife for me, Athene.”
Despite everything, she loved that out of all the ladies in the world, he’d chosen her.It devastated her to reject him, but she must.She couldn’t risk her fragile heart again.Even more, she couldn’t bear to disappoint this kind, determined man who took no care for his own advantage.
And she would disappoint him.He could do much better than a penniless woman of questionable virtue who’d been disowned by her family.In the heady rush of attraction, he discounted all the marks against her.But she was bitterly aware that once the rapture ebbed and reason kicked in, regret would rise as well.
“No, I’m not,” she said with biting sorrow.“But I appreciate the offer of marriage.That’s to your eternal credit.”
That square jaw set like iron.“I won’t harangue you.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“This isn’t over.”
“Yes, it is.”
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, rumpling the gold until her fingers itched to smooth him back into order.“And what about those kisses?Will you forget those?Do they mean nothing?”
She’d remember those kisses until the day she died.She’d rememberhim.But she couldn’t admit that aloud.As it was, she was too close to begging him to take her.She squared shoulders inclined to droop and adopted a purposeful air laughably far from reality.
“They must mean nothing to me.”She spread pleading hands.“Please, Sir Hugo, if you have an ounce of pity, leave me be.”
The frown was back.And something she couldn’t help but recognize as hurt.Guilt stabbed her, added its acrid flavor to the roiling stew of unpleasant emotions inside her.“Very well.If you insist.Will you stay with Madame Lebeau tonight?You can’t go back to your room alone.”
So like him to think of her safety.With everything that had happened since, she’d almost forgotten Alfred Plunkett’s clumsy attempt on her nonexistent virtue.
“Yes, I’ll stay with Sylvie.”Her hands clenched at her sides.She needed him to go.Now before her desires broke free to overpower the dictates of good sense.And her resolution to do him no harm.
He nodded.“Good.”
His eyes were bleak as she’d never imagined they could be.He’s only known you a few days.He’ll forget you soon enough.Or so she told herself, even if she didn’t believe it.
“You’re making a mistake,” he said with more of that bedamned certainty.
Athene reached behind her to grasp the back of a chair.Her legs were wobbly.All of her felt wobbly.“You won’t say that when you’ve mulled over what I’ve told you.You’ll thank your lucky stars you escaped.”
Genuine rage sparked in his eyes, turning them to glittering sapphire.“Don’t belittle what I feel.”
