“Why would you take a stroll with me if you knew it would end in a fight?” Belle asked, her hands going to her hips.
“You were determined to lure me out into the shrubberies. Who am I to resist a beautiful lady?”
That caught Simon’s attention. He stiffened. “What the devil were you thinking, Belle, seeking out trouble like this?”
Her gaze narrowed in on him. “I am not speaking to you. Craven can escort me back inside.”
“The hell he will! You and I are overdue a talk, whether you wish to have one or not.”
“It seems to me,” Craven interjected, “that you two have much to discuss.” And with that he melted into the shadows, a disturbing smile plastered on his lips as he left them alone in the garden.
Garden.
Memories of the previous night flooded back and Simon noted the blush forming on Belle’s cheeks, indicating she remembered, as well. He wanted to demand an explanation, but she was still angry with him—and had every right to be. He, on the other hand, had no right but damnation, she could at least hear him out.
“I am not discussing what happened between us, you might as well save your breath.”
Simon stiffened. “I made a mistake.”
“Ah, so you feel guilty for believing me a whore. Well, rest assured the mistake was all mine.”
“I never thought you a…that. And us being together wasn’t a mistake. How I handled it was,” he gritted out. “I want to do right by you, Belle.”
She shook her head. “There is no future with me.”
Simon studied her, her words sending tiny tremors of ice into his veins. In an attempt to gain control over his emotions, he pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled deeply.
“What were you doing with Craven?” he asked after a moment, his voice a low murmur.
She angled her face away before glancing back at him, the unmistakable glint of confusion evident in her stormy eyes. “I wanted to see if I felt anything when he kissed me.”
His heart hammered at her confession.
“And did you?”
“Of course. Craven is a handsome man.”
Simon’s heart hurt. “I do not believe you. You wanted to kiss Craven to see if he could awaken in you what I do, but he did not, did he?”
Silence met his statement and she glanced away.
“I thought as much,” he murmured.
“It does not matter, there still remains nothing to discuss.”
“Oh, it matters and there’s still a lot to discuss, but now is not the time. You might have forgotten all about the madman that wants you dead, but I have not.”
“That is beside the point.”
Simon raked a hand through his hair and exhaled a shaky breath. “I’ve been nothing but tolerant, but my patience is running thin. You cannot ignore what happened between us. You cannot ignore the fact that there is a man out there who would see you dead.”
“I will face everything, Simon, when I feel the time is right. Right now I choose to believe that the rat-headed-beast will not pounce on me with an ax, and you and I can discuss what happened another time.”
Simon wanted to argue, but the stubborn tilt of her chin had him deciding otherwise. It was best to pick his battles with care and even though his anger still ran hot, she looked ready to run him through with a sword.
“Fine.” He held out his arm. “We should return inside.”
As the re-entered the ballroom, neither noticed a figure stepping out from the shadows,watching them until they vanished fromsight.
