“Naturally, I will do the right thing by you.”
Belle held up a hand. “Please do not even say it. I will scream if you say it.”
His jaw clenched. “It is my duty.”
“Stuff your wretched duty! I will never marry the likes of you!”
“Belle...”
“And do not call me by my Christian name again. You have lost the privilege.” She scrambled from the ground and stood, glaring down at him. “Not another word on the matter. I have sorely misjudged you, but rest assured, I will not again.”
“We must talk about this, please.”
“There is nothing to talk about.” She inhaled a ragged breath before she twisted the knife, which he knew he deserved. “I cannot believe you’d think me so shallow. I’m not some harlot, falling into bed with any gentleman who knocks on my door.”
With quick jerking movements, he dressed, sending her a pleading look. “I have never thought you shallow…or of easy virtue. Please, let me make this right.”
“And how do you propose to do that?”
“This is not how a lady should walk away from her first time, especially because the man was a dim-witted fool. Let me make this right.”
“I doubt you can.”
Simon wanted to kick himself. Why did she not shout at him or pummel him with her fists? He’d take anything but this dejected response. He cursed his lack of foresight. Of course, she was a virgin. He just hadn’t wanted to give it much thought; afraid his honor would come in the way of sharing her bed.
He was such a bloody idiot.
He watched, as she, without another word, turned her back and stalked away from him toward the house, her spine rigid and her movements stiff.
“Dammit!” he cursed.
How the hell was he going to make this right?
It was impossible to tell the extent of the damage he’d done.
Yet he knew the world he’d known had been shattered tonight. He could no more let her go than he could stop breathing. With a heavy heart, he moved to follow her, if only to make sure she did not leave the house.
Somehow, he’d make it up to her, even if it took his entire lifetime to do so.
