“I didn’t think of it earlier. I didn’t—well, it doesn’t matter. I can’t take it back now.”
His eyes searched hers. “You must know that I would marry you to keep you safe from all the men like Nelson.”
Amelia’s heart dropped. She jerked her chin out of his grip and shoved at his chest. “Just what every woman wants to hear. A proposal of protection. Be still my beating heart.”
He sighed. “I know how you feel regarding marriage, which leads me to my next question. Wh—”
“What was I thinking? I don’t know. I got scared. But you don’t have to marry me. We’re going to pretend to be engaged until Sam is better.”
“And then what? You’ll leave me at the alter?”
“It won’t get that far.” Her chest tightened, and annoying emotions clogged her throat.
“Won’t it? And what if he doesn’t get better?”
Her lip trembled, and she shook her head. “Don’t say that. He will.”
“We have to plan for all outcomes.”
Her breath hitched. She tried to draw in a full breath, but all she got was a small sip of air not nearly enough to fill her lungs. “Engagements end all the time,” she said, her voice small.
“Not easily. And what happens if thetonturns on you—about this or something else? Every time I turn around, you are digging yourself into a deeper hole, and the burden of pulling you out falls on me, at least for the moment. You may not like it, but I made a vow to your brother, and I will uphold it.”
Amelia dropped her chin and bit her bottom lip. Sam had asked him to do this, and he couldn’t turn Sam down. Not ashe lay there dying. Graham Blakewood had made a vow. How wretchedly noble of him.
“Fine, I’ll throw you over,” Amelia said, choking back her emotions. “Then women will flock to you to comfort your wounded heart, since you are such an honorable and gallant gentleman. But either way, I won’t be marrying you.”
“You’ve made that quite clear.”
“Good. You only need topretendto be my fiancé. Once Sam is recovered, we will end it amicably.”
“How the devil do we explain this to your brother? There is no way we can hide this from him once he recovers. Someone will mention it to him.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Clearly,” he muttered.
“He’ll have to be told the truth. I think... he’ll understand. I will take all the blame and the truth will remain between the three of us.”
He drew in a breath and exhaled loudly. “We’ll have to weather whatever your aunt means to do together. But no more sudden outbursts of ideas. And as for Nelson, you let me handle him,” he said darkly.
“I’ve been handling Nelson for years. He’s not worth your effort.”
“If I’m your possessive and jealous fiancé, that meansIwill deal with him.”
Amelia swallowed. He seemed to grow larger, more menacing, more... something that made her warmer from the inside. This was a side of Blakewood she’d not seen before, and she still didn’t know how to feel about it. The safest emotion was irritation.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
“We must return and try to make a good showing now. We want to keep your reputation intact when we dissolve the engagement.”
“You meanyourreputation. Mine has never mattered much to me since I don’t intend to marry.”
“It matters to me.” He stopped walking.
Amelia twisted toward him. “I’m sorry.”
He folded his arms and glared at her.
