“Is only proof that you resent me for that fire.”
He was not ready to talk to her about this, not when he had pushed down the memories and the sense of loss for so long. Marrying her was a mistake. He should never have let his feelings take control...
“I can see it in your face, don’t deny it. That is why you ignored my letters, and why you don’t want me in the areas of your life that matter to you. You resent me for the scars I caused. I am sorry, I will never stop being sorry for all of this_”
“Stop!” He shouted, and the sound felt like it ripped something from him. “Just stop! It does not matter why I have my rules, only that I have them.” He took a few steps closer, cornering her as she retreated. “And you had best remember to obey them.”
“What happened to you?” she asked softly.
Seeing what must be pity in her eyes only sharpened his fury.
“I beg your pardon.”
“I asked what happened to you? They way you’re acting, this isn’t the same man I met at that ball. He would never have behaved like this.”
“You’re right,” Christopher took a step towards her, his voice as cold as the winter wind. “He wouldn’t have done any of this, buthe isn’t here any more. He died the night of the fire with the others. I am all that remains.”
Veronica studied him with eyes far too clever for her own good. “I’m sorry for that night, it must truly have been painful for you to have hardened so much.”
“Stop saying you’re sorry!” He reared back. “You haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about. You would do well to stay out of my affairs.”
“Then why did you intrude into mine? Why did you suddenly reappear and decide youhadto marry me?”
“I didn’t decide anything. You were the one who forgot we were betrothed!”
“I only set aside the betrothal because you have been giving me the cold shoulder for so long. I wrote to you countless times, and yet you never replied, even though you read my letters.”
“If you were that concerned, you could have come and paid me a call.”
“I couldn’t!”
“And why ever not?”
“It would have been beyond improper.”
He scoffed. “No it wouldn’t. We were already betrothed. No one would have thought twice about it.Are you going to stand there and lie to me?”
“Alright, fine! Yes, the idea was suggested! My mother even offered to arrange for me to visit with a family friend, but I had already written to you several times! I had tried to reach out to you, and you rejected me. Like—like—I wanted to see you make an effort.” Her throat worked, and she swallowed hard.
He narrowed his eyes. “I never made an effort?”
“You ignored me! You pushed me aside like the rest of the ton did! How could I take it as anything but a rejection?”
Christopher scoffed, shaking his head. “Did you ever think that the reason you hadn’t heard from me wasn’t about you?”
“But what else would be the reason for you walking away?”
Christopher clenched his hands into fists.I walked away? After everything that happened she was going to say that I walked away?He had been hurt. Deeply. And in more ways than one.
He had needed time.
And she was going to hold that against him?
“I will see you at dinner,” he grumbled as he walked away.
“You expect us to share dinner, when you won’t even talk to me? What’s the point?”
“Fine,” he gritted out. “Go hungry tonight for all I care.” Christopher spun on his heels and stormed off, ignoring her voice calling after him.
