“It is a silly rule anyway,” she insisted. “Why should men be allowed to kiss and do whatever they wish with whoever, but a woman cannot?”
“It is the way of things,” he answered with a smile. “It is unfair, but you understand the importance of a new bride being chaste, do you not?”
“So that if any children are born a husband can be assured that it is his heir she carries,” Eliza answered with a sigh. Certain rules did have their place but surely, he understood that they should not apply to her.
Except, he was a rule follower, moral, staid, and even if he desired her with a passion that would drive a lesser man to madness, Lucian would remain responsible and honorable, much to her disappointment.
He tugged on the bellpull and then opened the door to the corridor so that the maid could enter.
A deep disappointment settled into the pit of Eliza’s stomach. It was worse than that. It was the pain of rejection. She had practically begged him to bed her but he did not want to, much to her humiliation.
“Good night, Lord Garretson.”
Eliza turned for her chamber, anxious to disappear within, the door shut behind her. She might even cry, which she had not done in a very long time. But it had been just as long since she allowed rejection to affect her.
“Where are you going?” he asked before she could enter her chamber.
“It is obvious, is it not?” she answered before she turned. “Is there something else that you wish to discuss?”
Chapter29
Lucian sawthe wave of disappointment then sadness in her grey eyes, which had not been his intention. He’d questioned Eliza because he wanted to make certain that she understood what she was proposing and the only reason he had rung for the maid and then opened the door was so that they would not be disturbed.
“Close the door.”
Eliza frowned.
“Close your chamber door but remain in here.”
Would she obey?
She reached behind her and did as he asked.
“Will Stella be waiting to assist you tonight?”
Eliza frowned. “No. I have not required the assistance of a maid to undress since I was a small child.”
It would have ruined everything if her maid, more mothering than anything else, would come looking for Eliza.
“What is it you want, Lord Garretson?”
“For you to come here.”
Eliza tilted her chin and narrowed her eyes but did not move.
Lucian always knew that no matter where they were, in the garden, or parlor, library, or dining room that when it came to Eliza there would be a battle of wills, which would soon extend to the bedchamber. However, she would soon learn that tonight, he would be the one in control.
“I said, come here.” He crooked his finger at her.
“Why?”
“Eliza,” he ground out.
“Not until you tell me what you want,” she responded.
“We are not finished with our discussion. However, if you would like to remain there, and me here, dressed as this for the maid to find us, I have no objection.”
The last part was a lie because he did not want to see Eliza ruined simply because she had been alone with him while he was in a state of undress. Her ruination would be complete in the privacy of his chamber.
