“You’re excited.” His words broke in when she finally took a breath, and her insides trembled.
When she’d discussed her hopes with Clarissa two days before, she’d not taken into consideration what working with him might do toher. She was optimistic, yes, but if she opened her heart only to lose him a second time, would she ever be able to fall in love again? She couldn’t imagine it.
“I am.”
“The Season begins in a little over a month, and construction should be well underway by then. If it’s all the same, I’ll manage all of this while you flit about with theton.”
Flit about?
Flit about?
“What are you talking about?”
He shrugged. “You’ll hardly have time for both.”
“What? You—” It took her a moment to understand what he was saying. “I’ll have you know my priority is the orphanage. And although I plan to attend a few select events to seek out donations”—she gritted her teeth—“I, in no way, intend to allow the Season to distract me. I thought you’d realized this by now.”
“Do you not intend to place yourself on the marriage mart, then?”
“I do not.” In fact, she’d put all thoughts of marriage from her mind the day after he’d told her to keep away from him.
“You’ll change your mind.” The arrogance in his voice had her twisting around to face him.
“Of the two of us.” She pointed at him and then herself. “I…Iam not the fickle one.”
He returned her gaze steadily, and she would have given ten years of her life to know what was going on inside his head in that moment.
“Why?” she couldn’t help but ask, her voice choking.Why did you send me away?
He knew what she meant, and the direct question had him looking trapped. Lydia hated whatever it was that had changed him, whatever reason he had for turning their relationship into… this. He was saved from answering, however, when the carriage came to a halt.
“I have other business to attend to today, so let’s get this over with, shall we?” The icy tone of his voice effectively closed the subject.
It wasn’t often Lydia allowed herself to become angry, but she was sorely tempted to at that moment.
However, they were at the warehouse now, and the orphanage came first.
Why?
He knew exactly what she was asking, but he wasn’t about to discuss it with her today. Or ever.
The secret wasn’t his to share.
He offered his hand for her to step onto the walk, but she grasped the side of the carriage instead.
He shouldn’t be here with her. This situation was untenable. Baxter didn’t know what the hell he’d been doing when he suggested Jeremy finance this damned orphanage.
And yet…
Damn his eyes, Jeremywantedto be here with her.
Watching her bustle through the door ahead of him, he admitted that he wanted more than that.
But he could never give her what she wanted: marriage. He could not join their two families together—not while both of her brothers were intent on tarnishing Arthur’s memory.
Tarnishing it with the very worst of accusations.
Pushing away the dissonance inside of him, Jeremy watched Lydia first shove, and then slam her shoulders into the door, sending it flying open before he could catch up with her and do it himself. She glanced at him over her shoulder, scowling, but not bothering to hide her satisfaction at the insignificant triumph.
