Page 71 of The Dreaming Beauty
“Thank you for your offer,” Marcus said quickly, his eyes darting back toward where they had come. “But this is my burden to carry.”
Again she debated fleeing, but her feet stayed firmly planted. “Friends share each other’s burdens. I thought we were friends.”
His hand went to his hip, his voice regretful. “I cannot be friends with you. Not anymore.”
“Why not?”
“You are a titled woman now, and you will have income and opportunities aplenty. My brother is the one you should confide in. He can offer you all Society can afford and help you adjust to your new station. And I have accepted a position to teach at Oxford this fall. That is where I belong. Right now, Simon’s friendship is worth more to you than mine.”
He was referring to more than a mere friendship between them, but she wasn’t about to let him talk himself out of either one. He hadn’t told her about returning to Oxford, but they could address that later. “I am just a woman your brother uses to drive your mother mad. Why would I want him as my closest friend?”
“You’re just saying that because you think he does not care for you. He can restore you to your rightful place. Think on it. You can carry on the role as duchess that your mother could not.”
She shook her head. “I was never born to be the duchess. I was born to be a duke’s daughter, and the last I heard, I am still a duke’s daughter.”
He rubbed his hand over his face. “You know what I mean.”
“Do I? It sounds as if you are trying to convince me to marry your brother.”
“Tansy...” Her name fell from his lips in a moan. “It’s fate, you and him. It just is.”
She shook her head. Was this why he had stayed away? “I don’t believe in fate; I believe in faith—faith that I can choose my own happiness—and I would have thought you would feel the same.” She waited as patiently as she could, willing him to confess his love for her. She was sure it was there, sure that he could be the one to break this curse of loneliness.
“This is not a typical situation, Tansy. Simon cares for you. I’m sure he means to tell you soon if he has not already. You don’t have to hold back because of me. Go to him. Be happy.” His jaw clenched, and he closed his eyes briefly. “I beg you, be happy.” Not waiting for her to respond, he dipped into a curt bow and spun on his heel.
“Marcus?” Why was he being so utterly maddening? “Marcus!” As she watched his back disappear through the trees, she felt the influence of Iris’s ire for men run through her. She had not just told him her deepest secret only for him to make himself a martyr. If he did not care for her, yes, she would be devastated, but then she could leave him be. But a man who begged her to be happy had to care for her a little.
Her leg bounced under her skirt. The man was practically a spy and had no reason to flee over a problem that had such an easy solution. After all the secrets he had kept from her, the least he could do was propose marriage to make up for it.
Tansy picked up her skirts and chased after him.
Chapter 30
Marcus swallowed down the lumpin his throat as he walked away from the only woman he had ever loved. What reward did a gentleman have for acting nobly? A good night’s sleep? He was not even afforded that. He scoffed at the unjustness of it all, and yet he wanted more for Tansy than for himself. When she called his name, he did not turn around.
Moving swiftly, he weaved back toward his friends. They had been on their way back home from London and detoured quite out of the way to make sure he was not making a grave decision by walking away from his research. While he was always glad to see them, he was sorry they had wasted their time on his behalf. He wasn’t changing his mind. Not if it meant including Tansy, no matter how her revelation about her own dreams had surprised him. He couldn’t spend time with her anymore. After one short walk together, he was a complete wreck. Besides, she wasLadyTansy now, and with her title came expectation and obligation. Marcus knew the specifics all too well. She had more important things to worry about, and him pining for her would only further complicate her life.
He exited the trees and waved to his friends just as he heard a rush of steps coming behind him. He turned to see Tansy burst into view, heaving for breath.
“Lady Cadogen.” Tansy hailed the woman in front of them.
What was she doing? He wanted to be as far from her as possible right now. Was she trying to torture him?
She hurried past him toward Lord Cadogen’s wife. “What do you think of this part of the country? Do you come this way often?” She did her best to regain her breath as the four of them formed a loose circle.
“This is my first time.” Lady Cadogen’s smile was bright and easy. “I have always wanted to see the Lake District, and we hope to travel around a bit before we head home.”
“I myself have not seen much of it. I confess I have traveled little.”
Lady Cadogen smiled. “Then, we have much in common, although I am hoping to change that now that I am married.”
“I hope you come back here often, then.”
The baroness’s smile widened. “I should like that. We both would. Right, Ellis?”
“I have found I like what my wife likes. It’s the safest answer for a husband.”
“You must be a very good husband,” Tansy said, her eyes flitting to Marcus. He purposely avoided her gaze. Her new gown accentuated her features beautifully, but what it did to her eyes was his undoing. There would be no more gazing into those beguiling swirls of blue if he wanted to hold his ground.
