“Me.” She lifted her chin and looked at him at last.
He stood. “My love, ‘t’is a sad story, I’ll give you that. And I’m sorry you had to go through such degradations as Lady Eldridge. Not an uncommon situation, but unpleasant nevertheless.”
“Indeed.” She watched him with a certain amount of caution. There was a sense of something coiled like a spring within him and she wasn’t sure what it was.
“But, I have to say I’ve never heard such a load ofcodswallopin my entire life.”
“Reid.”
“Well it is, you goose. This is not some fanciful novel where true love is separated by circumstance and everyone acts forlorn but does their duty. That’s tripe and you know it.”
Her anger rose in her throat. “I’m not a goose. I’m trying to be sensible and practical here, unlike someone else I could mention.” She glared at him. “Even if you are unable to see the truth of what I’m saying, I will bet my best hat your family will.”
That gave him pause for a few moments. “Nonsense.” He stood and walked to her, taking her in his arms. “They will understand”
She fought a sob. “This is hard enough for me. Please don’t make it any more difficult.”
He held her, cradling her as one would a child. “One question, Pru. Just one question.”
She sniffed. “What?”
“Do you love me?”
Oh God. He would ask that.
She hid her face in his jacket. “Mmmrlrppmmfff.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that.”
“Stop it, Reid, please. Just stop.” She fought against tears, a weakness she deplored.
“Sweetheart, if you love me then everything is possible. Because I love you.”
“You shouldn’t.” She plucked up the courage to look at him. And then wished she hadn’t because he hadn’t lied. His eyes were full of his feelings and she was melting under the love in his gaze.
“Too late. I knew as soon as you leaned over me and touched my face. Your hair was like silk against my skin and you smelled of spring.” He took a breath. “You still do.”
“Lily of the valley,” she murmured. “I wear it all the time.”
“I’m glad. Keep wearing it. I have grown to adore that fragrance. It will always be you in my mind.”
She drew back with a sigh. “You are so very kind, Reid. But we are in a mess here. I have explained why we can go no further. And I am completely sincere. When you have time to consider the matter, I do believe that your common sense will help you come to the same conclusion.” She walked away from him. “I will not be just your mistress, my love. That I cannot do.”
He frowned at her. “If you think I would ask that of you, then you don’t know me at all.”
She turned. “I don’t think it. But it had to be said. You and I must be honest with each other, Reid. If not, then we have nothing.”
He nodded. “I agree.”
“So what do we do next? Should I leave? I can arrange it, even though Brent seems likely to be staying in the area now.”
Reid thought for a few moments. “Here’s what I’d like to suggest. I want time to consider what you’ve told me and I want you to think about us and the future. To me, your history is no impediment whatsoever and I’d marry you tomorrow if I could. But you’ve made it clear that you have deep reservations. So I’d like you to take some time and consider if what you feel for me can overrule those reservations. I will talk to my parents as well, because they’re sensible people and will understand. If we both come at this with clear heads and loving hearts, I do believe we can find a way that will satisfy us both.”
“So I should stay?”
“Can you? At least until the Mistletoe Ball. Is that too much to ask?”
“No, and it’s probably a good idea. Brent has some other friends in the area and has asked me to accompany him on a couple of visits so I shall pass the time quite well. And I expect I shall get to know Emmeline even better.” She tried for a smile.
