“I have to leave,” he said quietly. “The sun is rising higher, and I’ve lingered for far too long as it is.”
Not the answer she wanted, the answer she was desperately hoping for.
She swallowed hard against a rush of disappointment. “Of course. I don’t know what I was thinking. Foolishness, really.”
“Marchioness,” he said sternly, urgently, taking her face in both hands and staring into her eyes, holding her captive. “I don’t know what the future holds for either of us, but I do know one thing. I love you, too.”
His declaration astounded her. For a moment, Pamela could not find sufficient words in her mind to cobble together into a sentence. He loved her.
Theo. This man, this cool, mysterious stranger who had made her realize she still had a life of her own worth living.
“You love me?” she blurted at last.
“How can I not?” Another quick, firm kiss. “But because I love you, I must go. I’ll not be the cause of scandal for you.”
She didn’t want him to go. Not now, not ever, but most certainly not after he had told her that he loved her. What they had suddenly seemed fragile and precious, as if she must protect it with her very life. And she couldn’t shake the fear that when he left this chamber, everything would change.
But she knew he was right.
They weren’t tucked away in a little cottage yet. They were in Hunt House, surrounded by servants. She already had the matter of Virtue and Ridgely’s scandal and upcoming nuptials to contend with. Not to mention the danger to her brother’s life.
She had waited four long years to find happiness again.
Pamela could wait a bit longer.
She kissed Theo again. “If you must.”
“I must.”
He was already drawing back the bedclothes, letting in the morning chill. She shivered, hoping it wasn’t a portent for their future.
If they could have one.
CHAPTER16
Archer Tierney’s carriage arrived at the appointed hour, hovering near the mews behind Hunt House, Venetian blinds drawn tightly closed to obstruct any view of the occupants within.
Stasia had come at his request.
With a deep breath for what he knew he must do, Theo stepped inside.
The day was lacking in sun. In the dim light, he took note that his sister was dressed in Boritanian purple, their mother’s coat of arms again at her throat.
“Brother,” Stasia greeted warmly in Boritanian.
“Sister,” he returned solemnly.
At her command in English, the carriage rocked into motion, swaying over familiar roads that he would soon no longer traverse. The notion of returning to his homeland filled him with a terrifying combination of awe and dread.
Because doing so meant he would have to leave Pamela.
“You have made your decision?” Stasia asked shrewdly, reverting to their native tongue.
He wasn’t prepared for the finality of admitting so just yet. For what it would mean.
“You are familiar with Tierney’s carriages,” he observed instead, finding it curious.
A small smile played at Stasia’s lips. “He is a clever man.”
