“Only because you compromised me.”
“Because I wanted to.” His eyes opened, and Dorothy saw the sadness briefly before it was gone. “I wanted to marry you. What’s wrong about that?”
He was trying to charm her again, and Dorothy hated that it was working. But she couldn’t forget how he had proposed to her, how he said it was the right thing to do. He couldn’t change that so easily.
“You asked me to marry you, and I said no. We didn’t get married last year because you fought it so much. I think that should say that we weren’t meant to be.”
“Is this your way of getting back at me for refusing the engagement?”
“It’s not about that at all.” Dorothy could feel her tears prickling, threatening to come out. Not again. She had been crying too much lately. “I can’t trust you. Even if you’re telling the truth about everything, how can I trust that it won’t happen in the future?”
“You don’t trust me because you listen to rumours and lies. I’ve always been honest with you.”
“Have you really?”
Dorothy couldn’t be here anymore. If she stayed, she would give in to what she really wanted and touch him. Anyone could come upon them at any moment, and that would not happen.
She ducked under his arm.
“I need to get back inside. This can’t happen anymore.”
“Do you really think you can be married to a man like Burville?” Lucas’ voice stopped her in her tracks. “He might love you, but you don’t love him.”
Why did that hurt more than she thought?Because he’s right.Dorothy turned to him.
“I trust him. He follows the rules, and he respects me.”
“You think I don’t respect you?”
Lucas looked hurt at that, and Dorothy wished she could take those words back. She took a deep breath.
“Regardless of what there is between us, it cannot happen. We are not a good match.”
“Given what we’ve done together, I think we’re more than a good match,” Lucas insisted.
“Being good in bed does not constitute a good match. You should know that.” Dorothy could feel her throat closing up. She was going to break down again if she weren’t careful. “Just go back to your other lovers. I’m sure Lady Marcia would be delighted to have you all to herself. I believe she’s here tonight, isn’t she?”
“I don’t want her.” Lucas was breathing heavily. “I want you. Nobody else.”
He sounded so sincere. Dorothy knew she would give way if she stayed, and that couldn’t happen. Logically, she shouldn’t be associating with him. Gabriel was a far better choice for her.
And yet, she didn’t want to walk away from Lucas. The desire for him was great, and it was almost too much.
Dorothy turned away quickly and hurried off. She heard Lucas call for her but ignored him, going to the nearest door and grasping the handle. Music and chatter filled her ears as she stumbled inside, hurting her head. Dorothy knew she might look odd coming in another door when she hadn’t been properly introduced, but she didn’t care.
Just as long as she got away from Lucas before she did anything stupid. Before she went into his arms and begged him not to let go.
God, what had she done?
#
Lucas felt awful. He had barely managed to sleep at all, tossing and turning in his bed and trying to ignore the fact that he was alone. He tried to imagine Dorothy in bed with him, curled up in his embrace, and that moment kept fading away from him. It would not stay for longer than a few seconds and chasing it was exhausting.
Hearing her talk last night about how Burville was a better choice and how she didn’t trust Lucas had been incredibly painful. Lucas had never felt possessive over a woman before, and with Dorothy, it kept coming out strong. He wanted himself to be the one who had Dorothy at his side, not Burville. That man didn’t deserve her.
She wanted to be with him because he was the safe option. She didn’t love him; Lucas was certain about that. With the way she kissed him, Dorothy couldn’t be in love with Burville.
He probably wouldn’t be able to make her feel the way she did when Lucas took her.