His anger rose another notch. “When you say insisted, what exactly do you mean?”
She hesitated as if uncertain whether to share the full truth. “That I declined without success.”
While relieved she’d been honest, he could hardly believe his ears. To think Markus had put a hand on her was beyond the pale. “I’m going to kill him.”
“No need for murder on my account, Your Grace.” The lightness in her voice served to reassure him that she truly was all right. But he was still going to hurt Markus. “As I said, nothing untoward occurred.”
Yet as they took their places on the floor with the other couples, he couldn’t help but think of what might’ve happened if someone had caught them alone on the terrace. Markus might’ve been forced to propose.
He nearly shuddered at the thought.
Thinking of anyone with Eliza made him positively ill. But the idea of his cousin with her made him furious. Had that been Markus’s purpose? Had he sensed the level of Philip’s interest and thought his actions might force Philip to pay his debt?
What might his cousin do next?
“Do not worry so,” Eliza said as she squeezed his hand. “Let us enjoy the dance.”
That felt like an impossible request until he confronted Markus again. Then he looked into her green eyes and some of his upset eased. He couldn’t begin to guess what she was thinking, but the emotion in their depths reminded him how much he enjoyed being with her. How wonderful it felt to have her in his arms. How passionate their kisses had been.
If only he could keep in mind that she was his best friend’s younger sister. And that he was going to marry one of the Graham sisters.
Comparing them to Eliza was like comparing night and day. Water and wine. A pond and the raging sea.
He had no idea what to do about the situation—or how he felt about her.
No. That wasn’t true. He knew exactly what to do. What he had to do. He would honor what he knew his father—and brother—would’ve wanted. It was a promise he’d made to himself that he refused to break. How could he hope to become as honorable as they had been if he couldn’t do this one thing?
No matter how lovely and delightful Eliza was, nor how she made him feel.
He detested the idea that his paying attention to her had caught Markus’s notice and prompted his cousin to behave so abhorrently. That was all the more reason he should keep his distance—so that Markus wouldn’t bother her again.
If only he hadn’t agreed to her favor. But he was honor bound to fulfill his promise. At least for now.
He ignored the rush of relief the thought brought.
The coming days wouldn’t be easy when each time he was near Eliza, his attraction to her outweighed his good sense. But he need only think of his father and brother. Besides, his growing feelings for her had already placed her in danger. Markus had much to answer for.
Eliza sensed Philip’s withdrawal before the dance had ended but couldn’t understand the reason for it. Did he think her at fault for Delbert’s conduct? The thought was hurtful.
By the time they were stepping off the dance floor, a wall had descended between them that she couldn’t hope to scale.
“Is something amiss?” she asked as he escorted her from the floor.
“Nothing at all. I do hope my cousin’s behavior didn’t cause you undue distress.”
It had. Very much so. But she didn’t say that as it wouldn’t serve any purpose. She would keep her distance from Delbert from this point forward and refuse if he requested a dance in the future.
The true problem was Philip and how she could close the crevasse that had spread between them. She felt certain she could make him happy if he’d give her a chance.
If only she knew how to convince him. Perhaps she could help him see her better qualities. But what? And how? It was unfortunate that nothing she’d learned in finishing school would aid her.
She sighed, worrying not for the first time that she didn’t deserve Philip. Perhaps she wasn’t the right one for him. After all, what did she have to offer him other than her admiration?
Yet a stubborn part of her heart refused to give up. She risked a glance at him out of the corner of her eye.
Support. That was a start. He was a good, kind, honorable man, and she would make certain he knew that. How many times over the years had she wished someone believed in her?
Yet doubt returned in full force. He was a duke. The chances of him needing to be told he was worthy were slim. Nonexistent, in fact. It was naïve of her to think anything to the contrary.
