She wouldn’t be toying with him like this. Lucas had seen how she was around him, and that was not acting. She really wanted him around her.
And she still refused your proposal.
Lucas opened his eyes when he became aware that he wasn’t alone. Someone was close by. He looked around, but he couldn’t see anyone.
Then he saw her on the edge of the terrace towards the front of the house. She was leaning on the stone wall, staring out across the front lawn. Guests were still arriving, so there were plenty of carriages pulling up. Lucas didn’t need to see her face to know it was Dorothy; that body of hers, including from the back, was imprinted on his mind.
Pushing off the wall, Lucas approached her. What he really wanted to do was grab her, pull her into his arms, and refuse to let go. But that would just end up with both of them causing a scene that attracted attention. Lucas didn’t want Dorothy to withdraw further from him.
He reached the corner of the house, keeping mostly out of sight from the front drive as he watched Dorothy.
“You didn’t fancy interacting with any other guests tonight, then?”
Chapter 20
Dorothy stiffened when she heard his voice. She knew that Lucas would be present tonight – pretty much everyone in the area would be turning up – but she had hoped he would arrive later, and then they would interact.
Evidently, that was not going to be the case.
Bracing herself, even as her heart fluttered wildly, Dorothy turned and faced the man who had been invading her dreams ever since she sent him away. He leaned against the wall, arms folded and watching her with narrowed eyes. He looked like he hadn’t had much sleep, a light beard dusting his jaw and dark circles under his eyes. The man hadn’t even bothered to make himself look presentable tonight.
Even as she thought this, Dorothy caught herself wondering if his growing beard was rough or smooth. She pushed that away. Now was not the time.
She squared her shoulders.
“I didn’t think you would be here this early.”
“I wanted to see you.”
“Well, you’ve seen me. Now will you leave me alone?”
“What if I don’t want to?”
Dorothy huffed.
“Don’t start trying to claim me, Dashwood. That’s not going to happen.”
“What happened to calling me Lucas? I preferred that.”
“Not anymore.”
“Really?” Lucas’ jaw tightened. “Because Burville would get upset if you were still on first- name terms with me?”
“Gabriel has nothing to do with it.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Dorothy could tell that Lucas was not going to leave. He looked ready for a confrontation. A part of her wanted to go into his arms and hold tight, and her hands were itching to touch him. But she would not do that. She needed to keep her distance from him.
It doesn’t matter if I want him more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life. I cannot be with a man like him.
“I think I’m going to find my parents.” Dorothy flexed her fingers, but that didn’t make the tingling go away. “I said I wanted to take a moment outside before I went into a press of people, but I don’t want to take too long.”
“I hear you’re still walking out with Burville.”
Dorothy’s head snapped up.
“Where did you hear that?”