The lady who ran the millinery said as much when they entered her shop. But when the earl walked over to a bonnet and glanced at her, as if trying to decide something, she had a sinking sensation. “Don’t think about it,” she warned.
“You said you would allow a gift.”
“Yes. Something small, like a… letter opener or something useful.”
He held up the bonnet he’d been perusing. “Is this not useful?”
She set her mouth in a mutinous line. “It’s not generally something a weaver’s daughter might wear, so no.”
He scoffed, and without taking his eyes off of Meliah, handed it over to the shop owner. “We’ll take it.”
As they left the shop, hat box held loosely in his grasp, she asked, “Why did you do that? I explained what was acceptable and what was not.”
“There are two answers I might give for that,” he noted nonchalantly. “One, I’m not in the habit of doing what other people tell me, and two—” He paused and turned to her. “I wanted to see you dressed as you deserve.”
Meliah wasn’t willing to air her grievances out in the middle of the street, but she could tell that this obstinate man wasn’t going to listen unless she became more forceful. “It doesn’t matter what I deserve or not. It’s my situation, and that doesn’t call for fripperies such as that. If you were to give that to me, I daresay I will be forced to sell it rather than find an occasion in which to wear it, so you might as well keep it for your next paramour.”
He sighed, a slight frown forming between his brows. “Forgive me, I suppose I didn’t think?—”
“No, you didn’t.” Meliah glanced about and the earlier cheer she’d imagined had suddenly turned into curious onlookers watching their exchange. Dear God, what was she doing there? She must have forgotten reality for a time, lost to the luxuries that would never be a part of her future. She had come there with a purpose, but somehow, that had faded, while her emotions had risen to take its place.
She looked at Lord Belmont—Elwood—with his slight stubble along that strong jaw, the dark hair and piercing blue eyes, and she realized that she had fallen prey to more than just a deceptive rake.
She had fallen in love.
In three days.
Putting a hand to her stomach, she feared she might retch at the danger she had put herself in. Without knowing exactly how it had happened, she had lost all control. “I’m not feeling well. If you don’t mind, I should like to go now.”
He grasped her elbow. “Of course.”
She was grateful he said nothing more as they made their way back to the livery. After he assisted her into the carriage, he climbed into the vehicle and with a flick of the reins, they were on their way once more.
When they were safelyout of earshot of any villager, Elwood asked, “What’s really bothering you?”
“Nothing.”
He clenched his jaw. “You can’t expect me to believe that.”
She didn’t reply, but looked out over the landscape.
“Meliah, answer me.”
She spun on him. “Leave it alone. I don’t want to discuss this with you.”
He’d had enough. Pulling back on the reins, he set the brake and put his hand on her arm. He was surprised to see her green eyes shining with unshed tears. “Talk to me, Meliah. What is it?”
“Please, just take me back home. To London. Where I belong.”
He lowered his head and tried to make sense of her sudden change in spirits. “Is it the bonnet? If it bothers you that much, I will return it right now.”
She closed her eyes and his chest ached at the pain that shot through the center of it.
“All I ask is that you just let me go.”
“How can you ask that of me now?” Her eyes opened and he grasped her other arm, dragging her to him for a kiss that left them both wanting more. “Is it the article you say you will no longer write?” He found he had to swallow past the lump in his throat before he could speak again. “It’s all true. Is that what you wanted to know?”
She gasped. “What?”
