And Phineas? An inveterate rake, he couldn’t help but hurt her. By his very nature, he would break the heart of a wife who loved him.
He would never be able to keep his fall buttoned up. He would never want to.
If she became his wife, she would fall in love with him and he would destroy what remained of her by coupling with every Mary, Susan, and Nancy.
Much better not to marry Phineas Edge. It was her only chance of staying sane. Strong. Invulnerable. Unbreakable. All the things she had become over the last thirteen years.
All the things she had to be in order to stay safe.
“Caro!“ Phineas took four steps toward the library door but Edmund got there before him and closed the door and stood in front of it.
“No, Phin. Let her go.”
Caro was Edmund’s sister. This was Edmund’s house. Edmund would have no difficulty pounding Phineas into the carpet despite Phineas’ boxing lessons. There was no getting past him.
Phineas held up both his hands and backed away. But, damn, why was this woman always showing him such fervent physical affection and then fleeing him?
“You and I must talk.” Edmund’s posture, expression, and voice were full of menace.
“Yes.”
“So talk. Was your proposal sincere?”
“Yes.” For the first time in his life, Phineas felt a short answer was best.
“You want to marry my sister?”
“Yes.”
Edmund took a step toward him. “One kiss in a library and you want to get married?”
Phineas laughed nervously. “As her brother, you may not have noticed, but Lady Caroline is very beautiful.”
“You’ve only met her, what? Twice?” Edmund’s glare was so intense Phineas had to force himself to keep meeting his eyes.
“You forget I met her thirteen years ago.”
“You’ve harbored an interest in her for thirteen years?”
Stay as close the truth as you can, imbecile.
“I met her briefly again in Sudbury. The morning of the shoot? Uh, when I stayed back to read? I was very taken with her then.”
Edmund grunted. “So that’s why you were after me to bring her to London.”
“Yes. I admit it. Yes. I hoped you’d bring her here and I would have a chance to further my acquaintance with her.”And bed her again. “And court her.”
“Court her?” Edmund’s eyes narrowed. “We’ve been friends a long time. You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe you. You’ve never courted a woman in your life. Seduced, yes. Courted, never.”
“Your sister is exceptional.”
Edmund shook his head.
“You think so little of your sister, Edmund?”
Edmund’s eyebrows came together and his hands turned into fists at his side.
Stupid. That was a stupid thing to say.
