“No. But as I recall, you once said that there was nothing in this world that I could do or say that would make you cry.”
The words she had said to him in Lismore Hall months earlier felt like a lifetime ago.
“You remember that?”
“I remember everything concerning you.”
She smiled and leaned up to kiss him, and was met with equal enthusiasm, but as she reached for him, he pulled back. Frustration rolled within her and she pouted, causing him to laugh.
“We need to get out of bed.”
“No.”
She plopped back down to the mattress defiantly.
“You must. If anyone discovers what we’ve been up to, they’ll force us to marry.” The threat was enough to set her rigid, and he felt it beneath his touch. “See? Now you must wake up.”
Lifting her head up, she stared down at him, his eyes barely visible in the shadowy room.
“It’s not as though you want to marry either.” But even in the dark, Grace could see the unmoved muscles of his face and she suddenly felt uncomfortable. “You don’t wish to marry, right?”
“I was ready to do so before.”
“Yes, but not now.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“Because I don’t.”
“I’m aware.”
She frowned.
“But you don’t wish to marry me. Correct?” He did not answer and as the silence dragged on, Grace sat up. “James, you don’t want to marry me, right?”
“Grace, you don’t wish to marry and I understand the reasons why.”
“Yes, but that is not what I asked.”
“What do you wish for me to say?”
“Tell me you do not want to marry me. Tell me that this, whatever this is, tell me that this is enough.”
Another beat of silence followed and Grace’s nerves began to vibrate with anxiety.
“Would you like me to tell you that this is enough or would you like me to tell you the truth?”
Grace’s hand went to her face, puzzled by his words. How could he be telling her this? And why was he so calm?
“But then, this must be a less than desirable arrangement for you?”
He shook his head.
“I don’t see it like that.”
“How can you not?”
He pulled himself up, the edge of the sheet that covered them slipping down his chest to reveal the taut muscles of his chest and abdomen. Grace had to force herself to pay attention and was temporarily distracted when his hand reached out for hers.
