Page 44 of Never a Bride
“I don’t love her, either.”
She felt the tension in his hands as if he would break free and do as he wished with her. To her embarrassment, she wanted to let him. She wanted to feel what it was like to be desired by a man, to know the heady sensations of passion she’d only just begun to glimpse. But then she’d only be his mistress.
She shoved him, and he stumbled back.
“Go home to your tavern, Alex. I’m sure you can find other women who don’t mind that you’re not in love with them.”
He caught her arm. “Do you want me to be in love with you?”
Pain knifed through her. “No! Nor do I want intimacies that mean nothing to you but easing your lust.”
“Em, you can’t believe—”
“Do not tell me what to believe! Do you see that window over there? Go out it!”
“But Em—” he began.
He smiled with such amusement that she wanted to pound her fists against him, to shake him into realizing what he’d done here this night.
“Go home, Alex!”
He stared at her for a moment, then shook his head as he donned his cloak. “Don’t worry for me, love. I’m sure those angry villains have gone away.”
“Iwon’tworry.”
When he had his legs over the windowsill, she was tempted to give him a push. Instead she watched him drop out of sight, then slammed the window shut and locked it.
She put her shaking hands over her mouth and began to cry as her memories of Clifford faded even further. Had she been lying to herself?
Was it truly only Alex who had ever made her feel wanted and alive? If so, then she was doomed, for although he desired her, he made no secret of the fact that he enjoyed many women in the same way.
~oOo~
Emmeline had to forget her own woes and concentrate on Blythe’s newest hope for a suitor. Lord Willoughby was a sweet man, and surely once he and Blythe were together more often, his tongue would loosen. She invited him to play cards with her and Blythe, but the scheme fell apart. Once again, he talked to her freely, but when Blythe made an appearance he was tongue-tied, and could barely bring himself to ask for the next card.
To make matters worse, Blythe had overheard him speaking so easily to Emmeline, and tried to convince Emmeline that Lord Willoughby really liked her.
But Emmeline wouldn’t give up. She vowed that when they attended the Duke of Stokesford’s dinner party on Thursday, she would make sure Lord Willoughby and Blythe were alone together. She would remain nearby, but how else would her sister see that he was intrigued with her?
Her plans were frustrated by Blythe, who developed a cough and a fever. Emmeline had to send their regrets with an explanation. Little did she know how her “explanation” would be received. The afternoon after the dinner party, four of Blythe’s friends arrived, full of sympathy and comfort—and sweets. Emmeline had her hands full entertaining the girls, while trying to keep Blythe safely in her room.
She was serving a tray of tarts to the ladies in the parlor when the manservant announced Maxwell Willoughby. He walked in carrying an armful of flowers that practically hid his concerned face.
“How is Blythe?” he asked quickly.
Emmeline smiled. “She is fine, my lord. How good of you to inquire after her. But she’s not seeing visitors today.”
“Please, call me Maxwell. Without your sister, life must seem dull. I thought I could keep you company, and perhaps catch a glimpse of Blythe from afar. I even brought her wine from my estate.”
He turned sideways, and she saw a bottle tucked beneath his arm. Emmeline stepped aside so he could join her other visitors, and as she did so, she saw the servant showing another man in—Alex Thornton.
He walked in carrying two roses, and it was as if excitement suddenly sizzled through the room. The four ladies gasped and giggled. Maxwell visibly drooped. And Emmeline felt her face redden and her body react with betraying pleasure.
She reminded herself that he was here to see Blythe.
But then he stopped beside Maxwell, who peered up at him through the flowers.
“Good afternoon, Lady Emmeline. When I heard about your sister’s precarious health, I had to come see for myself.” He held out the two roses. “One for Blythe, and one for her doting sister, who has had the added burden of playing the nurse.” He glanced over Emmeline’s shoulder and smiled at Blythe’s friends. “And hostess as well, I see. It is a good thing I arrived to help you.”
