Page 62 of Heartbreaker of the Ton
“Andrew?”
The tenderness with which she whispered his name breached his defenses.
“Considering that you love another,” he said.
“I…What?”
“I don’t blame you, Etty,” he said. “I’m not like Sir John. I’d never blame a woman for the position she’s placed in. The man must shoulder equal responsibility, if not more.”
He paused, but she said nothing, her gaze fixed on him.
“A-and I know we’re friends,” he added. “Just friends. I’mcontentfor us to be friends. It’s unthinkable of me to assume…” He shook his head.
Bloody hell, I’m making a mess of this.
He lowered his gaze in shame, wincing at the profanity, even if only uttered in his mind.
“Andrew?”
His heart ached at her soft voice, filled with compassion, if not the love he’d hoped and prayed for.
“Andrew, there’s no shame in—”
“No!” he interrupted. “Please do not say it, for it can never be unsaid. I only feel shame for what my feelings have been. But I shall always admire you, no matter your circumstances. I shall always be your friend—your very good friend. A woman must survive in the world in which she’s placed. She can never wholly be mistress of her fate. And therefore I will not blame you, nor judge you.”
She withdrew her hand, and he glanced up to see her staring at him, her face pale.
“Judge me for what?” she asked. “For Gabriel?”
“For Gabriel’s father.”
She flinched. “Y-you know…”
He nodded. “He was seen. Your…”
“Mywhat?”
He leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “Your protector. Mrs. Fulford saw him—as did Mrs. Lewis.”
Her brow furrowed. “Since when do you trade in gossip, vicar?”
“I didn’t relish the account, believe me,” he said, “and you can trust me not to tell others.”
“Oh,canI?” she said. “That’s so benevolent of you.”
“I don’t blame you,” he said. “I never would.”
“Your benevolence has no limit.”
He flinched at the hard edge to her voice. “I’m not criticizing you, Etty,” he said, “and I will defend you against those who do.”
She stared at him.
“Do you have nothing to say?” he asked.
“Only this.”
He caught a blur of movement as she raised her arm, then pain exploded in his cheek as she delivered a slap across his face. His head snapped sideways with the force of her blow, and he staggered back, rubbing his skin.
