Page 56 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

Catherine slipped an arm about Rachel. “Come, Rachel. Let’s return to the house.”

She led Rachel away from the gazebo. Away from the only man Rachel would ever love. Each footstep that separated them was as a knife plunged into her heart. Jeremy silently followed behind them.

No tears came. She felt numb, as if some great cold had invaded her body and left a frozen Rachel behind. One who could move but had no feeling.

They reached the house and entered through the French doors. Catherine held on to her until they reached the bedchamber she shared with Leah.

“I know how difficult this will be for you,” Catherine said. “For your reputation, though, you must follow through and play your part.” She framed Rachel’s face with her hands. “I know you are hurting but you are doing the right thing by waiting to marry a man you love.” She kissed Rachel’s brow. “I think it best we never speak of this again.”

She nodded in agreement, the effort to form words too difficult.

“Goodnight,” Jeremy said. He kissed her brow tenderly.

Rachel couldn’t look at him. She entered the bedchamber and closed the door. Leah sat unpinning her hair.

“There you are. I wondered where you’d gone off to. Oh, it took forever to get everyone out the door. I adore Alex’s neighbors. They were so welcoming, weren’t they?”

Leah had barely glanced at Rachel when she entered. She steeled herself and sat, unpinning her own hair. Leah turned and studied her.

“Are you all right? You look odd.”

Rachel mustered a smile. “I’m so tired. You saw me tonight. I danced almost every dance.”

Her friend grinned mischievously. “I saw you leave the ballroom. Twice.”

“Yes. I took some air with Lord Michaels.”

“He seemed very nice.” Leah gave her a hopeful look. “I understand he lives nearby.”

She sighed. “He does. He even kissed me. I didn’t feel anything, though.”

Disappointment shadowed Leah’s face. “What about Merrifield?”

Rachel forced herself to smile again. “That is more promising. He also kissed me. It was much better than Michaels’ kiss.”

“I like Merrifield. He makes me laugh.”

She nodded. “He does, doesn’t he? He seems interested in me.”

“He should be. You are a fascinating person, Rachel. I hope you’ll give Merrifield a chance.”

“I think I will. I asked if he would take part in next Season and he assured he would—if I did.”

“Oh!” Leah exclaimed. “That’s an excellent sign.”

By now, Rachel’s hair was down. She and Leah assisted one another out of their gowns and dressed in their night rails for bed.

Rachel turned away from Leah and soon heard the soft puffs of breath that let her know Leah had fallen asleep.

Only then did she allow her silent tears to fall.

*

The first thingEvan did once the trio departed was place his hands on both sides of his crooked nose and yank hard. Tears came to his eyes, but he felt the nose sitting back where it should. He’d had to do the same for others while in the army. The pain from his swelling nose, though, was insignificant compared to the heartache filling him.

Rachel didn’t love him.

As hard as it was to admit, the beauty had never loved him. What they had was a grand, physical attraction to one another. He, above anyone, knew not to confuse passion for love. What his heart told him, though, was that he did love her. Evan had never loved anyone.

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