Rosalinde’s heart began to pound. “He’s probably in his chamber,” she whispered.
“Perfect. You’ll have privacy.” Celia took her hand and the two of them moved to the door. Her sister pushed her out into the hallway. “I’ll keep everyone away from you and give you even more.”
“Why are you so determined to have me do this?” Rosalinde asked.
“Because making the biggest decision of your life should not be a sacrifice. Because you deserve to be happy, and I think you can be.” Celia shrugged. “Because Stenfax and I made a wager that you would figure out you’re in love before you wed, and I want to win.”
“Celia!” Rosalinde gasped at the last.
Her sister laughed and pushed her down the hall gently. “Go!”
Rosalinde gave her a glare, but she didn’t argue. She walked down the hall shaking her head at her sister’s unexpected encouragement. But the more steps she took toward Gray’s door, the more nervous she became.
What if she spilled her heart and Gray told her he didn’t feel the same? Oh, he would be gentle about it, she was certain of that. And his answer wouldn’t,couldn’tchange the fact that they would wed. It was too late for that. But it would start their union on a note of pain she wasn’t certain she could survive.
So she stood outside his door, staring at the barrier between them, contemplating whether she should run or stay.
In the end, she didn’t have to make the decision. The door opened and Gray almost walked right into her. He was devilishly handsome, dressed in his wedding finery. His crisp, white cravat made his fine jawline even more defined.
“Rosalinde!” he said, staggering back so he wouldn’t trample over her. “What are you doing—”
He cut himself off and stared at her. Just stared, his gaze easing down from the top of her head to her feet. He was shaking his head, mouth partly open, eyes wide with pupils dilated.
“Why—why do you look at me like that?” she whispered.
He drew in a long breath. “You are beautiful.”
Rosalinde lifted her hand and touched the silken gown she had all but forgotten she was wearing. “Thank you.”
He blinked, as if trying to gather himself. “But what are you doing here? Nothing is wrong, is it?”
“No, I just…I needed to speak to you. Well, Iwantedto speak to you,” she corrected herself as her nerves returned. Now that she was looking at him, so handsome as he smiled, she was even less certain she wished to ruin this day. “But—but it can wait. It will keep until—”
He motioned her into the room. “I was just going to look for Lucien, he was meant to come up and let me know that the vicar had arrived. But I’m sure he’s handling it. Please, let’s talk.”
She entered the chamber she now knew so well. Here he had made love to her. Here he had proposed. And now here she would spill out her heart.Ifshe could find the courage to do so.
He shut the door, and she shivered. “What if Stenfax arrives? Won’t he be shocked to find us alone?”
Gray laughed, a low, rough sound that sent answering vibrations of pleasure through her body. “He might be. And there would be consequences.”
Her eyes went wide. “What kind of consequences?”
He leaned in. “I suppose he might force us to wed. But I’ll risk it.”
She smiled at his quip even though her ears were filled with the sound of her own rushing blood and her hands shook.
“Rosalinde, you’re trembling,” Gray said, coming toward her as his smile fell. He filled up her vision as he took her hand, smoothing his thumb over her flesh. This did not make what she had to do any easier.
“I’m sorry. I just needed to speak to you,” she said, and blushed at the clumsiness of those words. Ones she had already spoken.
“Yes, so you said,” he replied, and guided her to the settee. “What is troubling you?”
Rosalinde stared at him. Right now things were perfect. He was tender with her, sweet. If she told him she loved him, there was a chance he might recoil. Even grow cold in an attempt not to mislead her further. Did she want that?
“Er, I was just thinking what an expensive bargain you’ve made,” she lied. “After all, Celia had most of her things here already since she was to wed and move here, but I-I have lost more than half my wardrobe. I don’t know if it is fair to ask you to replace so much.”
Gray blinked at her, as if confused. “You came to my chamber an hour before our wedding to talk to me about how unfair it is that I must pay for new clothing for you?”
