“It is pretty,” she admitted. Her cheeks were blushing, but he didn’t release her wrist.
He wanted to continue touching her while fumbling for the right words. “I came to beg your forgiveness,” he said. “I wasn’t feeling well, and I did a poor job of defending you while you were dancing. I am sorry for it.”
She sighed and set down the flowers on a nearby table. For a moment, she looked at him, but her expression held disappointment. “I know I’m supposed to accept your apology and tell you that no harm was done. But you did tell them my secret, which you had no right to do.”
“I didn’t mean to say it,” he admitted, “and Iamangry with myself.”
She didn’t soften. “I don’t know how I will attend a ball in the future when everyone is staring at me. I kept that secret for years. But now, everyone will know that I cannot see.”
Her voice trailed off, deepening his guilt.
And Cormac realized the lady would not be so easily won. “I made a mistake, aye,” he acceded. “But you’re wrong if you’re thinking that I’ll stand aside if anyone says a word against you. Especially after it was my fault.”
He took a step closer and reached for her hand again. She wore gloves, and yet he kept her hand in his.
“Don’t,” she ordered, stepping back from him. “I can’t think when you’re this close to me.”
“What is it you want from me,a chara?” he asked.
“What Idon’twant is your pity or guilt.” She closed her eyes. “And I don’t need your Irish endearments.”
“I called you my friend,” he clarified. “But I meant what I said yesterday. I do need to marry and return to Ireland.”
“Then I bid you good fortune in finding a wife.” She took another step backward.
The conversation wasn’t at all going the way he’d imagined it would. “I was hoping you might change your mind.” He stepped between her and the door, wanting her to listen. “You want to avoid your stepmother’s auction, don’t you?”
Her face fell. “I... well, of course. But I don’t know you. And you don’t know me.”
“If you tell your stepmother that you’re already engaged, then the auction will not happen,” he offered.
“But we’re not—”
“Shedoesn’t know that, now does she?”
She froze in place, frowning. “Are you suggesting that we lie to her? That we tell the others we are engaged to marry?”
“We could,” he agreed. “Or it could be real, if you’re wanting it to be.”
Chapter Four
Emma didn’t believehim. How could Lord Dunmeath ever want a wife like her? She couldn’t manage anyone’s household, much less become a countess—not truly.
“I can’t,” she told him. “I’m sorry.” But the truth was, she was afraid to put any of her hopes on him. Or anyone, for that matter. In five Seasons, no man had ever shown interest before. Why should it be any different now? She was starting to realize that, no matter how much she might want a family of her own, she wasn’t ready for marriage. Not yet.
“I should go,” she said suddenly. “Mrs. Harding will have more lessons for me.” She stood up suddenly and nearly knocked over an empty teacup. From the clatter of porcelain, she suspected Lord Dunmeath had steadied it before it could fall.
“Will I see you at any of the balls this week?” he asked.
Emma thought wildly of the impending auction her stepmother had planned. “I don’t know yet.” She turned around and stumbled over the chair before she got her bearings and counted the eight steps to the doorway.
Before she left, he reminded her, “My marriage offer stands,a stór.”
But she couldn’t think of that now. He had lured her in with his compliments and that honey-and-butter voice. She’d wanted to remain in his embrace when he’d described her gown, covering her hands with his own. Even now, she couldn’t stop thinking of how it had felt when he’d rested his hands on her waist. The heat of his touch had sent her senses scattering like smoke in the wind.
Lord Dunmeath’s footsteps drew close to her, and she caught the scent of pine and male skin. For the slightest moment, he stayed where he was, beside her in the doorway. But then, he walked away and left her alone.
Emma felt a sudden sense of emptiness, but she chided herself for daring to believe there could be more. He’d come to apologize, and that was all. His offer of marriage wasn’t real. She simply couldn’t believe him.
