Lord Bullfield chuckled again.
“You will not put me off from considering you my bride. Your brother has informed me of your previous attempts to push particular gentlemen away, but I can assure you that, given what your brother is offering me, I have every intention of remaining close to you.”
“Even though I have no wish for you to do so?”
She arched one eyebrow, but Lord Bullfield merely shrugged.
“You are not a consideration in this, Miss Carshaw. You are to do as your brother commands.”
“He does not demand that I be in company with you this evening,” she stated fiercely, pulling her arm away again as he reached for her. “You cannot think that I have any eagerness for being in your company.”
“It is not important to me what you think or feel. Whether you wish to be in my company or not, weshallbe wed.” His eyes darkened. “I can make it so that you will have no opportunity to refuse me.”
“Leave me!”
Aware that his fingers were once more wrapping around her wrist, Julia pulled herself away as quickly as she could, but Lord Bullfield seemed unwilling to leave her. In fact, he seemed determined to follow her, no matter where she went. His hand continued to reach out to grasp her as Julia hurried away, swerving in between guests until she managed to walk directly into another gentleman. Her fear was growing swiftly, Lord Bullfield’s final words wrapping around her heart as she tried to understand what he meant by such a statement.
“I beg your pardon.”
Her vision blurred, her breath rasping she tried to side-step the man she had collided with, suddenly terrified that Lord Bullfield would find her, and pull her away, to the point that she would be utterly disgraced and have no other choice but to marry him. Strong hands grasped her shoulders, and she was forced to look up, only to see Lord Wiltsham looking down at her.
“Miss Carshaw, I have been looking everywhere for you. Are you quite well?”
She shook her head, struggling to breathe through her fear. She could not stay near him, could not be drawn to him, not when she could never be as close to him as she had once hoped.
“Pray excuse me.”
His hands dropped as she moved away, only for him to call out after her. He did not leave her to hurry away, however, but came after her, staying close to her as she continued to move.
“Something is wrong, Miss Carshaw. Pray tell me what it is. Is it the same thing that troubled you yesterday? Is that why you were unable to continue our visit?”
Glancing back over her shoulder at him, the fear that Lord Bullfield was still following her continued to grow as she threw up one hand towards Lord Wiltsham.
“Pray do not concern yourself. I am quite well, I assure you.”
“I will not believe that.”
His fingers touched hers, but she pulled her hand away sharply.
He cannot be the answer to my troubles, not any longer. It was foolish to ever allow myself to feel anything more than a brief interest.
“My Lord, do not follow me, I beg of you.”
Hurrying forward, she darted another glance behind her, but she was not looking for Lord Wiltsham. Glimpsing Lord Bullfield and his cruel smile, she shuddered and hurried on through the crowd, seeing a door and pushing her way through it. Nothing else mattered to her. All she wanted to do, all shehadto do, was remove herself completely from Lord Bullfield’s company, no matter what steps she had to take to do it.
Going forward into a hallway, she turned towards another door. Turning the handle, she made her way into yet another room, closing the door behind her and breathing in the darkness. Her heart hammered furiously as she struggled to catch her breath, doubling over as sobbing gasps broke from her lips.
I cannot marry Lord Bullfield.
Putting one hand to her heart and the other to her stomach, Julia closed her eyes and took in a deep and steadying breath, trying to calm herself. From the look in Lord Bullfield’s eyes, she was certain that he would have doneanythingto gain from her what he wanted. If she refused to marry him, then Julia had no doubt that he would do whatever he could to make certain that she had no choice. The way that he had grasped at her arm made her shudder still.
“Miss Carshaw?”
Swinging around, she immediately began to back away, fearful that it was Lord Bullfield, only for Lord Wiltsham’s voice to reach her.
“Are you in here? I cannot see anything.”
She said nothing, but her quickened breaths broke through the silence. The sounds of his footsteps, followed by a stumble, caught her attention, only for the swipe of a match to illuminate the room a little. A candle was soon lit, and he held it aloft, obviously looking for her.
