“Yes.”
It was true; he did want to protect her, and yes, he did feel sorry for her. There were so many other reasons but at the heart of it, he did have an overwhelming need to keep her safe. She was in a terrible situation.
He could see her beginning to close in, away from him. He expected her to be surprised but pleased by his proposal.
“We don’t have to live together,” he said suddenly, and her eyes widened again.
What am I saying?But he felt like he had a chance of persuading her now, and he didn’t want to lose her.
“You can have your own house,” he offered. “I can provide for you. I can buy you a carriage and horses, get you an account at the modiste, and provide everything you need to be comfortable.”
Rose didn’t say anything. She was just staring at him.
“We can be man and wife, but you can have your independence, freedom, and a life free of worry.”
He knew how independent she was, and was happy to give her that. Hell, he would give her anything.
She was gaping at him now.
He remembered what Charlotte had said.Does she know you want to marry her? Well, he thought,she certainly does now. He smiled at her.
She was not smiling.
“What you are suggesting is a marriage in name only,” Rose said it slowly, laboring every word.
“You would be my wife, Rose. You would not need to marry Barrington.”
This time he couldn't read the turmoil of emotion that rolled through those blue eyes. She attempted to speak a few times but then seemed to stop herself. He had to admit that he was excited about the prospect, despite the obstacles. He didn’t care about the obstacles. Anything was preferable to the prospect of her being abused by Barrington. That would suffice if she would only accept Will as her husband for that one reason.
“My business is sound and growing,” he said. “I have my father’s house off Grosvenor Square. You could choose one wherever you liked. And if you didn’t want to be in London, I could buy you a home in the country. You could stay in Sussex, in Arundel, if you wanted. Whatever would make you happy.”
Inside of him, he was thinking,No, you will live with me, in my home, in my bed, but he was afraid to insist on that. They could get to that over time.
“So, you would be happy for your wife to be banished to the country while you lived your life in the city?” she asked.
“Hardly banished,” he laughed. “You already live there, and I could visit.”
He was still smiling, willing her to as well.
The carriage was drawing to a halt on the cobbles outside a house he recognized from his youth.
“We’re here,” Rose announced, gathering her bag against her. He put out a hand and touched her arm under cover of the gathering darkness.
“What do you say?”
Her expression was unfathomable. He waited.
“Will,” she said eventually. “Next weekend, I am marrying Ernest Barrington. You can continue to live the life you have made here in the city, with all your friends, without the burden of a remote wife you have to service.”
Rose swung her body towards the carriage door as Green opened it for her.
“Rose!” He didn’t care now that the driver would hear him use her given name.
“Goodnight, Will,” Rose said firmly and stepped out. Green closed the carriage door behind her, and he heard her tell him to take Mr. Browning to Grosvenor Square. She walked away without looking back, disappearing through the front door of the townhouse. He watched her until the door slammed shut.
“Dammit,” he said loudly as he punched the seat beside him.
“You said what?”