“But I loveyou. I truly do. I can’t go back without you by my side. We’ve both suffered so much, all because other people interfered in our lives. Don’t let that happen now.”
She felt sorry for him. She’d never seen Arthur Morgan beg. Even when she first refused his attentions, he hadn’t begged her for anything. Rather, he had pursued her with relentless attention to detail. He had wooed and cajoled, but never begged.
“I’m not letting anyone interfere.” She sighed. “And I certainly don’t wish to cause you pain. The idea that your family could do such a heinous thing gives me a great deal of sympathy for you. We have to allow that this was neither your fault nor mine. It simply is what it is.”
He moved closer. “But you pledged yourself to me. What about your word? I’ve always known you to be a woman of your word.”
Kenzie frowned. She didn’t like being reminded that she was going back on her promise to marry him—to be faithful to him forever.
“Kenzie, just give me a chance ... just a few days to show you how much I care. Don’t punish me for the mistakes of others.”
Her clarity and purpose began to fade. He made a good point. It wasn’t his fault that his family had interfered. Maybe she was wrong to dismiss him without even giving him a chance. But what about Micah? Her love for him wasn’t imaginary.
“Please, Kenzie. It’s not fair to dismiss me without at least giving me a chance to win you back.”
Her temples began to throb. Arthur had always had a way of convincing her that his way was right, but now she knew that wasn’t true.
“I can’t talk about this anymore, Arthur. I’m sorry that I can’t do what you ask. Please excuse me.”
She hurried back into the warehouse, hoping for solace. Why was it so easy for Arthur to confuse her? Everything had seemed so clear, but now it was just as murky as it had been before.
“Kenzie?” Caleb called as she hurried to her room.
She paused only a moment. “I know what you said, Caleb, but I did promise him my love, my life. How do I remain an honorable person and take that back?”
Caleb’s expression was sympathetic. “How can you not? You don’t love him anymore. How can you promise something that doesn’t exist?”
She pressed her fingers against her head. “Never mind. I just need some time alone to think.”
Victoria watched the performance from the warehouse’s open window. She heard Arthur plead his case and listened as Kenzie completely disregarded his feelings. She had heard Kenzie and her friends discuss Arthur at length earlier in the day. He was rich and very handsome. She wasn’t inclined to throw herself at him, but she felt certain they could help each other.
Kenzie rushed into the warehouse, spoke for a moment with Caleb, then hurried for the private quarters. Meanwhile, Caleb went to his office. With a quick glance around, Victoria could see that everyone else was occupied or absent. She smiled and made her way outside. Arthur was still standing next to the table, as if trying to figure out what to do next.
“Hello, you must be Arthur Morgan.”
He turned and looked at her. Victoria was glad she’d dressed in her pink muslin with the rounded neckline. It wasn’t low enough to entice, but it did show off her figure.
She sauntered closer. “I’m Victoria Whitley. You may have heard of my father, William Whitley.”
He nodded. “Clark Whitley’s son?”
“The same. I overheard your conversation. Not only that, but I’ve heard a great many other conversations, and I can’t help but believe we might be useful to each other.”
“In what way?” Arthur asked. His expression told her he was intrigued.
Victoria gave a seductive smile. “In the way that moneyed people are always useful to each other. The fact is, I need help getting my inheritance. My father and grandmother both died in the earthquake and now, unfortunately, my cousin Judith holds the purse strings. And you ... well, you need help convincing Miss Gifford that she belongs with you.”
“And how do you propose to do that?”
She shrugged. “I’m not without my charms.”
He looked her over from head to toe and smiled. “I can see that.”
“I believe we should form an alliance.”
He nodded. “Perhaps you’re right, Miss Whitley.”
CHAPTER
