But it wasn’t just that. He’d worked hard to be where he was, and he wasn’t about to let her interfere. She’d pulled him from his duty, damn it, without a thought. What would she do next time she “needed” him?
She finally found her voice. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but Jamie will be with you along with...” She chewed on her bottom lip as if contemplating how much to say. “Someverygood warriors. The best.” Suddenly, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand as if something had just occurred to her. “Of course, your shoulder! It must be causing you pain.”
“My shoulder has nothing to do with this.” It was still sore, but he could climb if he wanted to. “Ihave nothing to do with this. So why come to me, Elizabeth?”
“I thought you would want to help.”
He lifted one brow in challenge. “I very much doubt you thought about me, or what I wanted, at all. You just assumed that all you would have to do was ask, and I’d come running like I always have. Well, I’m sorry, but I can’t. Not this time. You’ll have to find someone else whowantsto help.”
She gazed up at him, stunned. “You are saying no?”
She looked so incredulous that if it wasn’t at the expense of his pride he might have laughed. “It probably never occurred to you to think I would refuse, did it?”
The guilty flush that pinkened her cheeks put the first crack in his composure. He took her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him and hear what he said. “I don’t have to play the doting servant to your princess anymore. Nor do I have to hold my tongue around my ‘betters’ and jump to you or your brother’s bidding. Let James work another one of his miracles, or better yet, have him ask me himself.” He laughed as if he knew it would snow in hell before her brother ever came to him for help. “I have other things to do.”
He tried to turn away, but she reached out to catch his arm. The injured one, but that isn’t what made every muscle in his body seize. “That is not why I am here. You are being unfair, I’ve never thought of you like that.”
“Haven’t you? Am I not someone to rely upon? Someone who has always been there for you?”
“Yes, that is why I came to you. That is what friends do.”
“Don’t you mean that’s whatIdo? Your idea of friendship sounds rather one-sided.”
She blinked up at him. “I...” Tears welled in her eyes. “I didn’t realize...” She drew in a ragged breath that made his heart skip. “I’m sorry, Thom, I didn’t mean to be such a burden to you.”
She’d let his arm go, and he raked his hand back through his hair. Bloody hell. He hated this; hated refusing her anything. It made him feel as if spiders were crawling all over his skin. “You weren’t a burden. But you just have to understand that I just can’t be there like that for you anymore.”
He didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t let himself get distracted or be diverted from his goal. Lady Marjorie was waiting for him, and he wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass him by.
He knew Elizabeth. If he let her in even an inch, she’d do something sweet to burrow her way into his heart again. He wasn’t going to let that happen.
“I understand.”
But she didn’t. She turned to leave, but this time it was he who stopped her. He took hold of her arm and turned her back around to face him. He had to make her see, or she’d be right back the next time the impulse struck. “I have something else to do. Someone is waiting for me.”
“Who?”
“The woman I hope to marry.”
Marry? The word echoed in her head, and Elizabeth felt suddenly dizzy.
She caught herself from swaying and looked up at him. Something in her chest squeezed. Her lungs felt as if she’d just inhaled a cloud of acrid, gritty smoke.
“You are getting married?”
He arched a brow. “You sound so surprised. Did you think that because you did not want me no one else would?”
The subtle chastisement in his voice was like a slap. “I never thought that at all. Why are you putting words in my mouth to think the worst of me? I’mshocked,not surprised, although you are right—I shouldn’t be. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”
Actually, it was more surprising that he wasn’t married already. Just look at him. He was gorgeous. One of the best-looking men she’d ever seen. He must have dozens of women clamoring for his attentions. Something she ate must not have agreed with her, because she suddenly felt ill.
“Not any woman,” he said flatly. Then, as if angered by his own words, he made a movement with his shoulders that wasn’t quite a shrug. “Nothing has been formalized.”
“But?”
“But I have reason to believe a betrothal is imminent. I hope to leave in the next day or two to escort her to her estates in Yorkshire.”
Why was she finding it so hard to breathe? The air seemed to have grown cold and icy in her lungs.Estates? “I see. C-congratulations. I am happy for you. She is a v-very lucky woman.”
