But the fact remained that he had wanted her, desired her every bit as much as she did him.
And now, after he’d shown such incredible control and understanding, she was going to freely give herself to another man.
She’d never felt more selfish in all her life.
Awash with guilt, she lifted her head and centered her gaze on his chest. “I’m sorry, Roman,” she whispered.
He stared into her eyes, trying desperately to find something within them that would convince him that she felt the same inner turmoil he did.
When she looked away, he knew that if indeed her emotions paralleled his, she was not going to allow them to decide her actions.
He stepped away from her. “Sorry, Theodosia?” he flared. “About what?”
She frowned softly. “For—for hurting you.”
“Hurting me?” He feigned an expression of deliberation, then a look of sudden comprehension. “You think you’ll hurt me by going to bed with one of those English guys?” he asked, forcing disbelief into his voice. “Why would that hurt me?”
“I—”
“Let me explain something to you,” Roman continued hotly. “I liked the feel of your body, but what I liked more was seeing if I could get you to let me touch you. Your denials and protests were like dares, and I don’t turn down dares, not ever. The only thing I ever cared about was trying to get the innocent little genius into bed with her clothes off. I did it, and as far as lovemaking goes, hell, I don’t care whose thighs I lie between. The ends are always the same.”
He forced a smug smile and ambled toward the door. “You’re nothing but a job to me. Got that? We’ll stay in Enchanted Hill for as long as you want, and you cam do whatever the hell you feel like doing.”
He twisted the doorknob forcefully and left the room.
Theodosia stared at the door.
You’re nothing but a job to me…
Part of her knew he’d spat the words only to disguise his hurt. But another part of her recognized the truth of what he’d said. They’d become close friends, yes, and they’d shared some beautiful moments together. But the fact remained that shewasa job to him, a means by which he could obtain the rest of the money he needed to start his ranch. And considering the vast differences in their dreams, she would never be anything more to him.
Sorrow clutched at her heart. She swore she could feel it bleed.
Before she realized it, she was hurrying to the door with every intention of going after Roman and making him believe thathewas the man to whom she wanted to give her innocence, not some Englishman passing through town.
But she stopped abruptly when the scent of fresh lemons assaulted her senses. Startled, she glanced at the bowl on the table and noticed the ripe lemons.
Lemons. Lemon verbena.
Lillian.
She curled her hands into fists by her sides, swallowed a cry of frustration, and tried to rationalize. “Theodosia,” she whispered to herself vehemently, “if you fail to maintain a firm presence of mind, your heart will surely guide your actions. For Lillian’s sake, you mustn’t let that happen. Youmustn’t.”
Her mind. Her heart. A real battle had begun between her intellect and her emotions.
She knew which would win.
The powerful pull of the mind was far more decisive than the simple little tug of the heartstrings.
With the joyfulsound of laughterand lively music surrounding him, Roman leaned against one of the posts of a whitewashed picket fence and watched Theodosia swirl around the town square.
She outshone every woman present. Moonbeams and lamplight flickered through her golden hair, shimmered over her mint-green satin gown, and glowed within the depths of her dark emeralds. But it was not the light or her jewels that caused her to shine.
It was her sparkling beauty, and the tall man holding her in his arms was completely captivated by her.
His name was Llewellyn. Hammond Charles Alexander Llewellyn. The second son of a rich and powerful English duke, he had wavy black hair, clear blue eyes, and wore a diamond the size of a horse’s eye on his right hand. Roman decided the guy was as obnoxious as his name.
It certainly hadn’t taken Theodosia long to make her choice, he ranted silently. Of course, the group of Englishmen had made things easy for her. She’d stood in the hotel lobby, watching as they entered. After only one look at her, all seven of them had headed straight for her, and each of them had asked for her company at tonight’s welcome dance.
