“Would you have preferred a steadier and more reliable proposal, perchance by the fountain at Wolvesley?” His voice rose with emotion.
“Do not speak of David Bryce,” she breathed. “That is not fair.”
Tristan took a deep breath. “Where is he now, this physician of yours?”
She straightened her back. “I cannot tell you.”
“Aye, well, I can tell you.” He dragged a hand through his dishevelled hair. He accepted a post at Wolvesley. He chose coin over you, Mirrie. Mayhap coin was all he was ever after.”
“Why would you be so cruel?” she whispered, looking past him to the waves breaking on the shore. A view that had once brought her solace but now would forever serve as a reminder of her foolishness.
“I am not cruel. I am a man made of flesh and blood and desire, struggling with emotions I have ne’er felt before.” He took another shuddering breath. “You say I am impulsive. Reckless even. Aye, I have been in the past. I’m the first to admit it. But I have ne’er made false promises. Not to anyone.” His voice dropped to a near whisper. “Why, in heaven’s name, would I start with you?”
The sincerity shining from his eyes was beginning to reach her. Mirrie clutched her arms around her chest, not knowing what to do. For a moment, the only sound was the rushing of waves onto the shingle.
Tristan shook his head, his gaze hardening. “Forsooth, being impulsive is no crime and does not render my feelings any less valid. Certainly, I would never be moved to propose to a woman, any woman, once I had a glimpse of her potential wealth.”
“I have no potential wealth,” she countered, though it hurt her to speak.
“And once your physician discovered that, methinks he would have rescinded his proposal and moved on. Just as he was quick to cut all ties with you once I offered him a well-paid position.”
She digested this, oblivious to the calling of the gulls and the crashing of the sea.
“Youoffered him the position?”
“Aye. The very day after the ball.”
“So that is why I have not heard from him.” She gave him no chance to reply. “And did you consider my feelings in this at all?”
“I saved you from a man who puts coin before love.” His voice rose against the waves.
“You moved him out of the way for your own ends,” she screeched back, uncaring of losing her decorum.
He shrugged his shoulders. “I see you are determined to think badly of me, whate’er I say or do now.”
She turned away, unable to fight any more. “You look to control me, like a soldier in a well-planned battle sequence. Like you control all else in your life. For the betterment of yourself.”
She heard his intake of breath and knew she had wounded him.
“That is unjust.”
She forced her legs to move forward, to take her away from further harm.
“Goodbye, Tristan,” she said over her shoulder.
This time, he did not come after her.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tristan left enoughtime for Mirrie to flee, then he forced his leaden limbs back to Ember Hall.
He would take his horse and leave. At this time of year, darkness would not fall for many hours yet. He had time enough to ride back to Wolvesley Castle.
Even if that were not so, he reasoned he must leave. There was naught now to stay for. And the fierce energy that had carried him over the moors to this remote northern outpost, was now entirely deflated.
He dragged his booted feet through the shingle, feeling his usual optimism shrivel and die.
He had come here to mend the rift that had sprung up between him and Mirrie; and to see if their relationship might be set onto a different path. But now they were further apart than ever before.
