She saw the carriage waiting for them on the dark drive. The door was open, and the man urged her toward it.
Panic gripped her. If she got in that carriage, she would die. She had to escape now and run back to the house before him. Evie stopped suddenly, then lashed out backward with her foot. The grunt told her she had reached her intended target. She fled, but someone grabbed her before she’d taken two steps. Then they dragged her back and into the carriage.
Forced down onto a seat, she fought to get free, but there were two men holding her now. Looking up she saw both wore masks so she could not identify them.
“Two gutless masked men,” she spat at them. “You will not get away with this!”
“Oh, but we will, Miss Spencer. And I will enjoy breaking you of this nasty habit you have. I believe it’s called spirit.”
A cloth closed over her mouth and nose. A vile stench filled her nostrils and suddenly her head felt light, and then she knew only darkness.
Chapter Thirty-One
Anthony entered thebreakfast parlor early because he could no longer stand his own company.
Because you are an unfeeling, coldhearted bastard.
Evie would not be in his life. She would not be his wife. Anthony had assured that last night. For one brief moment, he’d thought he could have it all with her, but that was before he’d hurt her.
She’d called him a coward, and she was right. He was. He’d hit her in his sleep while having a nightmare, which was something that rarely happened anymore, but he’d panicked. He’d then done what he did best and pushed her away with cruel words and turned back into the cold, emotionless man he’d taught himself to be.
The look on her face had nearly broken him, but Evie had also learned to hide. She’d pushed her pain down inside and stood before him, expressionless and so beautiful.
He could still see her as he’d made love to her. Hair a tangled mass of curls around her pale shoulders. Lush body naked in the moonlight. He’d never felt anything like he had with her last night. Never felt that close to another person. A connection.
He’d then turned on her, but she’d not wept. Instead, she’d said what she had to in a cold, clear voice. Then, after telling him she loved him, she’d walked away from him, and he’d let her.
Anthony had followed later when he had himself under control and returned to his room to lie on his bed and stare at theceiling, reliving every moment of making love to the woman he now knew he cared for deeply.
The feel of her soft skin under his hands. Her cry when he was inside her. It would all torment him forever. He was destined to live that night over and over, because no one could ever make him feel as Evie had, again.
“Shall we leave in an hour?” Toby said, walking up behind Anthony, jarring him from his thoughts. “I rose early because I know Jamie wanted to be on the road before the sun rose too high.
“I will be ready,” Anthony said, filling his plate with food he had no wish to eat.
He’d wanted Evie as his wife more than he’d ever wanted anything before, and for a few brief moments, had believed he could have her. He’d been a fool.
Now she was hurting and angry, and he doubted would ever speak to him again, which was exactly what he should want. It was for the best.For her best.
I deserve for the man I love to love me back.
Evangeline Spencer loved him. Anthony had never thought a woman would say those words to him, especially not someone as wonderful as she.
Ignoring the burning in his chest,hewalked outside to sit and eat his food. His friends joined him, and he cursed himself for not staying in his room and coming down just before it was time to leave. These two knew him better than anyone. He would need to be careful what he said.
“And where is your delightful betrothed today?” Jamie asked. “I must say I am extremely happy that Evangeline will be your wife.”
“I believe we have covered that ours is not a real engagement,” Anthony said calmly.
“Yesterday you confirmed to us both that she means a great deal more to you than a fake fiancée would,” Toby said watching him closely.
“The engagement will not go beyond the end of the season. Now,” Anthony said, “do we have names you wish to speak to in Brawley?”
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Jamie asked.
“Do we have names—”
“Not that part, the other bit,” Jamie said.
