Page 6 of A Summer Romance
“I wish it were that simple,” Francis said, as if it wasn’t.
It occurred to Theo that his brother might be trying to have the best of both worlds.A wealthy wifeanda pretty mistress.He felt his hackles rise as he growled, “Francis, it is time we returned to the house.”
Francis rolled his eyes and Breana caught her breath on a laugh that was almost a sob.Theo watched with suspicion as his brother leaned in close and had a whispered conversation with Breana that he could not hear.Her blue eyes widened at whatever it was he said, and then she smiled.But it did not seem to be her usual, natural smile.This was forced, and Theo wondered what his brother had said.
Francis bent to press his lips to the back of her hand.“Soon.”
It was the sort of ridiculous romantic gesture he’d seen his brother practise in the mirror when he thought he was alone.But before Theo could admonish him, he was striding back to the house, leaving Theo alone with Breana.
“I don’t know what harebrained scheme my brother is concocting, but I trust you are too sensible to be taken in by his honeyed words,” he said in his sternest voice.“For your own sake, Miss Starling, I suggest you think before you act.”
Breana said nothing as she too walked away, back toward the gate.
Theo watched her, anxious and at the same time admiring her slender figure and flaming hair beneath that pretty bonnet.He hoped this was the end of the matter.That Francis would accept his future was with Miss Ingram and leave Breana be.But he had an uncomfortable feeling that it was not, and it would be up to him to untangle yet another mess.
Chapter three
THREE
Breana wiped furiously at the tears spilling down her cheeks, quickening her steps.If Francis had been the man of her imagination, he would have told his brother he would never marry Miss Ingham.That he wanted Breana more than he wanted some wealthy young lady.He might even have challenged Theo to a duel.
But he hadn’t.Such things only happened in novels and fairy tales… and Breana’s daydreams.
Instead, Francis had apologised to her, while his brother glared at them, and Breana had wanted to walk away right then.She felt so foolish and disappointed and needed to be alone to assess her feelings.
But then Francis had moved closer, so that only she could hear him, and said the things she was still struggling to believe could come from the lips of the man she had believed was her friend.
“I assure you I do not love Miss Ingham.”
Breana hadn’t known what to say, and stammered, “You do not…not…?”
“No,” Francis assured her.“I loveyou.”
She tried to read the emotion in his eyes.This felt so bizarrely like one of her fantasies that she knew it couldn’t be true.Her practical side surfaced, and she asked him bluntly, “Then why marry her?”
“Because my parents insist.If it were up to me…” His expression grew thoughtful and then he grinned wickedly.“Come with me to London.Just because I am marrying Miss Ingram does not mean we cannot be together.I will find you a house, and shall visit often.We will have such a marvellous time.”
Breana might long for excitement, but she knew the difference between right and wrong.She might take risks, but she was not a fool.She knew not to dally with married gentlemen, nor engaged ones, and understood all too well what Francis was proposing.
That he thought for one moment that she would consider such a thing was upsetting and insulting.She wondered what she had done to make him believe she was such a ninny, and suspected at some point she had not behaved in a sensible fashion.Was this her fault?
“I shall collect you in the coach this evening,” he went on, eyes shining, as if this was the best idea.“Wait at the end of your driveway and we can run away together.By the time your family knows it will be too late.Just think of it, Breana.What an adventure!”
All the time, Theodore had been standing, watching them with that look on his face.Soon, Francis had said as he left.Theo could have no idea what his brother had been saying, but clearly he had his suspicions.
She reached the gate now, where her mare still waited patiently, and stopped to catch her breath.
She wasnotgoing to run off to London with Francis.She was going to stay with her friend Chloe, and if she did not see Francis again for the rest of her life, it would be too soon.An hour ago she had dreamed of marrying him, now the thought of being in the same room with him revolted her.She could only assume that she had never really loved him at all.Yes, it had been a game, but she had thought she hadsomefeelings for him.
Evidently, there was a sizeable gap between what she fantasised about and what she truly felt.
Breana wondered rather bleakly if it might be time for her to start facing up to life in the real world, deadly dull as it was.Dull like Theo.
The strange thing was that when she had almost fallen and Theo had caught her, she realized she quite liked being held by him.She had noticed how dark his eyes were, like inky pools she could see her reflection in.How his square jaw had the rough start of a beard, as if he hadn’t had time to shave.Breana had had the urge to run her fingertips along the side of his face.
All of this was disturbing, to say the least, given how she had been telling herself how much she disliked him for ages.
She had always believed herself nervous in his company, but perhaps that wasn’t the case at all.She had stood up to him just now, hadn’t she?He didn’t frighten her; he intrigued her.And he would be a handsome man if he did not frown so much.
