Instead, he kissed the top of her head and after allowing her a moment to catch her breath, he helped straighten her dress.
If he implored her now, it wouldn’t be fair.
She pushed herself off him, her legs shaking.
“I should walk you back now,” he said.
“Yes. Yes.” Her answer was distracted.
Vague.
This time he did not hold her hand, but only watched her footsteps to ensure she made it safely back to the path.
At the street, she seemed to have gathered her wits and turned to look up at him. “Good luck, Reed. I’ll never forget you.”
“Forget me,” he said. “But always remember…”
“What?” She cocked her head.
“That you deserve the best.”
Her eyes glistened, but before she could respond, Reed pivoted and practically ran to get away from her.
For her sake.
Because she deserved so much more.
Betrayed
Entering her father’s home, Goldie walked right past Mr. Bulwark and rushed up to her chamber, where she immediately threw herself facedown onto her bed.
What had she done? What were these feelings?
She was terribly confused as questions echoed in her head. Had she made the mistake Madam Zeta warned her about? Saying goodbye to Reed had certainly felt like a mistake. She thought she’d seen sadness in his eyes, but it could easily have been a reflection of her own emotions. Were these emotions only fleeting?
No!
Because she’d fallen hard last summer, but now she actually knew him.
He was kind and understanding. He loved his sisters and mother, and he was everything she’d believed him to be last summer. And more!
But was she prepared to give up the only life she’d ever known? Her sister who was also her best friend?
And then it struck her that even now, she was alone. And their father would find another gentleman to marry Nia.
Nia would leave her soon.
If Goldie did not find a husband, she’d have no choice but to act as companion to her mother and to do her father’s bidding.
And despite Reed’s insistence that she’d easily land a husband, she’d been led to believe the opposite her entire life.
And if she didn’t land a husband, she would never have her own home—or children—or…
She would have no one to kiss her.
Or touch her. She’d live the life of a cold, lonely spinster.
But it was done. She’d given him her answer. What would he do now? No doubt, he’d find some other young lady to pursue—someone whose father would approve.
