“You will marry me.”
Milly grew still at the words, more a demand than a request.
“There can be no other way now.”
Milly wriggled, pushed him off her, and he moved, reluctantly.
“Answer me, Milly.”
Turning her back, she began to straighten her clothes.
“Your delivery would suggest I have left you no choice, my lord. Nor that I have one either.” Her heart ached. She had done the very thing she had vowed not to, given control of her life to another... to Joseph, the man she loved.
Dear Lord, she did love him again? Or had she never stopped?
“After what we have shared, we must marry, Milly. You are not foolish enough to believe otherwise.”
She heard rustling, which told her he was occupied in rearranging his clothing as well. He had not asked her permission or used gentle words. No, he had demanded, as if she had no rights. Well, she was not a naive young woman any longer. She answered to no one, especially not him.
“I am not a fool.” Milly found her anger. “Don’t tell me what I must do. I have spent my life doing what others have demanded of me. I no longer wish to.”
“I’m sorry if my words offend you, madam. But I just took your innocence, therefore there is no other option open to you or me.”
She spun to face him. “I am an option for you? Is that all?”
His face was closed to her; she read nothing there. Surely he cared for her? Surely she had not imagined the gentle love he had just made to her.
“No, stop twisting my words. Of course you are important to me. I would not offer for you otherwise.”
How could she love and hate the same person, Milly wondered. She berated herself for her behavior. One kiss and she had melted at his feet. One touch and she had given him everything.
“No, please.” Milly raised a hand, her words laced with sarcasm. “I can take no more of your pretty words, my lord.”
“Milly—”
“May I suggest we say nothing further, my lord. We shall both leave, and take time to think about what has occurred.”
“No. You will marry me. That is the consequence of what we have just done.”
“I will not marry because of what we just did. I do not have to, nor will I.”
“God’s blood. I want to marry you, can you not see that?”
He was frustrated with her, yet Milly cared little for that. She needed some time to think. Some time to come to terms with the realization that she had just given this man her heart once more, along with her innocence.
“You do not sound pleased by the notion, Lord Ellsworth, and as I find I am not either, I will leave.”
Milly hurried to the door. Unlocking it, she ran outside.
“Milly, come back here!”
Ignoring him, she ran through the gardens, and did not stop until she reached some of the other guests.
The day passed on leaden feet. She had slipped into the house to check her appearance, and then rejoined her aunt. There she had stayed until they were ready to leave. Of the earl she had seen plenty. He had talked and spent time with other guests, plenty of whom were of the female persuasion. Milly refused to be jealous that earlier he had transported her to sensual heaven, and now, he was doing what was expected of him.
She intercepted a few of his dark looks, but did not acknowledge them. Eventually the strain of the day was too much, and she asked if her aunt was ready to leave. Luckily she was.
Aunt Beth dozed on the return trip to London, and Milly stewed. Why had he not asked her nicely? Why had he not said he wanted her desperately, and could not live without her? She no longer had to accept such a proposal, but if she did not, she would not have the man she loved in her life.
