He tensed. “What about them?”
“Do your parents know that you mean to flee London? Have you spoken to your father about . . . us?”
The stricken look on his face told her that answer. “He knows I’m leaving England. But no, he doesn’t know about us, because I wanted to speak to you first. In case you . . . refused to go.”
His reluctance to tell his parents about their courtship before approachingherparents had long been a topic of discussion between them.
She’d understood—really, she had. She probably wasn’t lofty enough to suit his family, and Niall had been waiting until she had her come-out and his parents could meet her in a natural setting. Then he could ease them into the idea of his wanting to wed her.
But now . . . “You could still speak tomyparents, gain their blessing and agreement to the marriage. Then you . . . you could get a special license, and we could marry before we leave here.”
Though that didn’t solve the problem of Mama.
“There’s no time for that! Besides, it takes at least two days to acquire any kind of license. And my ship leaves tonight.” He drew her close. “For once in your life, sweeting, throw caution to the wind. You love me. I love you. We belong together. I don’t know how I’ll bear it if you don’t flee with me.”
His words tore at her. She wanteddesperatelyto go.
And apparently he could read the hesitation in her face, for he took advantage, clasping her head in his hands so he could seal his mouth to hers with breathtaking ardor.
Oh, Lord, but the man could kiss. He made her heart soar, and her blood run fast and hot. Looping her arms about his neck, she gave herself up to the foretaste of what their lives could be like . . . if she would just give in.
But how could she? Reluctantly, she broke the kiss, even knowing it might be their last.
His eyes glittered with triumph, for he could always tell how easily he tempted her. “I know this isn’t the ideal way for us to start out, Bree, but I’ll make it up to you. Father will continue to send my allowance, and my friends will take care of us until we’re settled. I might even find work in Spain.”
She wavered. It sounded wonderful and exciting and oh so tempting.
He cupped her cheek. “All we have to do is leave tonight, with the tide. You and I, together for the rest of our lives. Trust me, you won’t regret going.”
Ah, but she would.
She could handle travel to a strange country and everything that such an upheaval entailed. She could live on a pittance. And yes, she would even risk ruin if it meant being with him.
But she couldn’t abandon Mama. Papa would never manage the doctors or sit wiping Mama’s brow when she was feverish. Papa could hardly bear to be in the sickroom. And with money short because of his gambling, they couldn’t afford an extra servant to tend to her mother night and day. Besides, she could never entrust Mama’s care to a servant.
She pushed away from him. “I can’t,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
His expression turned to stone. “You mean, you won’t.”
“If we could bring Mama with us, I’d go, but that’s impossible. She’s too ill to travel.”
“Don’t pretend that this is about your mother,” he said harshly. “It’s about your blasted caution. How many weeks did it take me to convince you to start meeting me in the park? To tempt you into a kiss? You’re a coward at heart, and you know it.”
The bitter words stabbed her through the heart. “Well, at least I don’t recklessly fight duels and then run off to avoid the consequences!”
She regretted the words the instant he drew himself up, every inch a lord. “So that’s how you see me, is it? Fine.” He started to walk off.
“Wait!” she cried. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I suppose you must . . . have had your reasons for dueling.”
He let out an oath, then turned back to her. “I’m sorry, too. I don’t think you a coward.”
She stifled a sharp retort. That wasn’t true. Men always wanted women to throw caution to the winds, but that was only because they had less to lose. A woman losteverythingwhen she trusted the wrong man. Just look at Mama.
“Bree,” he said softly, “I don’t want things to end this way.”
“Neither do I, but . . .” Frantically, she tried to think of another solution. “I—I could write to you once Mama gets better.” Though she feared that wasn’t going to happen. “Then you could send for me somehow.”
“You would travel alone to meet me?” he asked skeptically.
