But he didn’t have a mistress. She was certain of it!
Bethany lost all track of time as she lay in the strange room counting off various words. What would he say when she saw him tomorrow? She couldn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t mention what she’d seen. It seemed the more she tried to keep something like that to herself, the greater the likelihood there was of her bringing it up.
But she would tell him what she saw, and knowing herself, she doubted she’d be able to hide her opinion on the matter.
She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but why had he not returned to the ballroom for their dance?
Bethany turned over and punched her pillow for the nine-hundredth time, but then paused at the sound of footsteps.
She didn’t know how she knew they were his footsteps, perhaps it was the rhythm of his swagger but more likely she was simply attuned to him.
Her mother would have told him she wasn’t feeling well when the truth was that she’d been hurt. If he hadn’t wanted to dance, why hadn’t he simply come and told her?
Embarrassed and confused, she turned onto her side, closed her eyes, and feigned sleep. If she spoke to him now, she just might say all the wrong things.
“Bethany?” She’d not even heard the door open. “Sweetheart?”
She pinched her lips together, ignoring the part of her that wanted nothing more than to curl up in his arms.
In his bed.
In their bed.
His swaggering steps slowed to a slow prowl as he approached. Her resolve nearly shattered when he, oh, so tenderly, stroked her hair.
“Is your head bothering you?” Even more of that tenderness sounded in his voice. “You should have found me. I would have brought you home.”
Bethany forced her breathing to stay even upon those words.
“Your mother told me not to worry or I would have come home earlier. But I had some… business to attend to.”
Eager for his explanation, she rolled over and opened her eyes. “Business?”
Seeing that she was awake, Chase dropped onto the chair beside the bed. He dismissed the subject with a wave and then touched his fingertips to her cheek. “Nothing important.”
“Are you sure?”
“Nothing for you to worry over.”
She begged him with her eyes to tell her what had been so important that he’d abandoned her to the gossips.
“I’m a brute for missing our dance. Forgive me?”
But still no explanation.
And then he did the one thing that very nearly had her forgetting that he was keeping something from her.
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.
It was unlike any kiss he’d ever given her. It felt like an apology and oddly like a goodbye. She was being fanciful again.
But he was home. He was here now.
Bethany squeezed her eyes closed until the taste of his mouth was gone.
“Sweet dreams, little Bethany.” He exhaled loudly, tugged at her braid, and then rose to take his leave of her.
“Chase?” She halted him with her voice.Come back to bed. Make love with me. “I…”
