“How can you be sure?” The question wasn’t one that would serve his own purpose, but he was somewhat astounded by her faith in him.
“Because you loved them.”
Her response stunned him into silence. He’d loved them once. Yes, but… “I’m mad as hell at them,” he practically snarled.
For the past half a decade, Reed had spent most of his time coping with the consequences of his brother’s, cousin’s, father’s, and uncle’s reckless behavior. At one point, his uncle had mentioned involving them in the opium wars. When Rupert suggested traveling to India, Reed had talked him out of it.
All the while, they’d made him out to be the villain. They’d referred to him as the excitement killer.
And Reed had managed them without complaint. But now…
Reed had failed to manage them on the night of the fire. He’d failed to protect them from themselves…
No doubt, they were all laughing at him from hell. Any love he’d felt for them was gone.
She squeezed his hand and they were walking more slowly now. “But you loved them,” she insisted.
“You are wrong about that.” He couldn’t lie about this, but even so, the words tasted sour in his mouth. “But I did not wish them dead.”
“I know.” Her simple acceptance seemed to lift a small amount of the weight off his shoulders. Would it have mattered if she’d doubted him? He barely knew her.
The thought brought him back to his purpose—his hasty proposal.
Their hackney was in sight, just as Reed had requested. “You will give serious consideration to your answer, then?” Time was running out. He couldn’t afford to lose himself in maudlin sentimentality.
She exhaled a loud sigh and then winced. Reed assisted her into the vehicle and climbed in behind her.
“If you can find it in yourself to accept, I’ll do everything I can to ensure you’re comfortable. You’ll have my sisters. You’ll be a countess…” God, he was practically begging.
“What about love?” Her smile was a sad one. “I know it’s not common, but… Despite today, which was absolutely marvelous, you don’t really know me. Not that I expect anyone to fall head over heels for me, but I’ve looked forward to my season—I’d hoped…” she turned her face away from him.
Love?
He should have known. Love was the last thing he’d contemplated in all of this. And yet… She was sweet. He was attracted to her.
“I don’t know,” he answered her honestly. “I don’t want to mislead you. But I suppose it’s possible… eventually.” She had hoped… Reed had no doubt that given the chance, more than one gentleman of the ton would fall for this delightful bundle of sunshine.
A sour sensation followed the thought.
She rolled her lips together and nodded. “And I don’t want to mislead you. My father has promised me a season. I’ve had a wonderful day, almost as though I was truly being courted. I want more of… this. I want… more.”
The hackney was moving along swiftly now, separated from the carnival crowds. Despite the cool temperatures of early spring, Reed felt a drop of sweat trail down his back.
She was on the verge of telling him ‘no.’
Reed didn’t want to give her false hope. He didn’t want to use her so blatantly. Taking her hand in his, he lifted it to his lips.
“Promise me you’ll think it over.” He pressed a kiss to the back of her fist. “Please.”
A pause, and then she nodded. “But you cannot come to my father’s house,” she said.
“I know.” Reed understood. He did. It was too soon. She was too young—too innocent. “Meet me in the park tomorrow morning and give me your answer then?”
She frowned but dipped her chin. “By the trees?” She was not being flippant in her response. Although young and filled with naïve dreams, she could be a somber little thing when the moment demanded it.
He was grateful for that. “Yes.”
And then Reed had no choice but to deliver her back to her father. She asked him to set her down a few houses away, and as he bid her farewell, Reed wondered if she would come tomorrow after all.
