Page 45 of Enticing the Devil

Squaring off to face his brother more directly, he decided to be as clear as possible.

“Have you any idea how ridiculous you sound? The thought of something even remotely worthy of concern occurring between myself and Lady Anne is absurd. I assure you, I’ve absolutely no intentions toward the woman. Dishonorable or otherwise. The type of woman I take to wife will need to be far hardier of character than the delicate Lady Anne. If not for this infernal competition, I’d do everything in my power to stay as far from her as possible. I’d sure as hell never consider bringing such an unsuitable woman to Wales as my bride.”

With his blood running so hot and his words filled with self-condemnation, it took Beynon longer than it should have to acknowledge the look of alarm that crossed Roderick’s face midway through his tirade.

But he did note the subtle shifting of air behind him followed by the distinct tones of Lady Anne’s voice as she spoke.

“I apologize for interrupting. Clearly, I should’ve waited for you to finish your conversation before approaching.”

Beynon turned to face as her with his stomach tied in a painful knot. There was no way she hadn’t heard everything he’d just said. Though his vehemence had been self-directed, no doubt it could easily have been mistaken as vitriol against the woman herself. The blush on her unnaturally pale skin and the flatness of her gaze made it very clear his thoughtless, angry words had injured her.

And all Beynon could do was stare at her, his hands still curled in fists, his teeth clenched so hard his jaw ached.

Her gorgeous, magical eyes swirled like the sky in a summer storm.

“To ease your mind, Mr. Thomas, I’ve absolutely no desire to go to Wales,” the lady stated with an odd note hovering in her voice. “In any capacity.” She turned to Roderick and gave a short nod. “If you’ll excuse me.” Without giving Beynon another glance, she turned and strode from the room. Her manner, her movements, her unreadable expression, a perfect study in grace and dignity.

Beynon watched her leave. The fire inside him spinning dangerously out of control. And at the center, a point of regret so sharp and fine it seared through his core.

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

“Indeed,” Roderick agreed, his tone equally regretful.

Chapter Sixteen

Anne made it halfway down the dim and quiet hallway that ran behind the main staircase before the tears welled in her eyes. Unable to go any farther, she pressed her back to the wall and lifted her hands to cover her face, pressing her fingertips against her closed eyelids in an attempt to stem the flow.

He wasn’t worth the tears. He was a solemn, brooding, judgmental arse who didn’t deserve an ounce of the emotion welling up inside her. He was rude and rough and dismissive and arrogant and it was clear now he’d hated her from the start.

Despite the way he’d kissed her just that morning and the tenderness and care he’d shown her in the maze or the fact that she’d started to believe there was something more to the man than what everyone believed.

She’d obviously been fooling herself.

“I didn’t mean it.”

The rich, weighty sound of his distinctive baritone interrupted the silence of the narrow hallway. Anne gave a start as her heart fluttered and her body was flooded with tingling awareness and urgent panic.

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