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‘If there are any consequences, I will face them. Alone.’
‘We face them together. You are far from being alone; we are friends.’
Henri ran her tongue over her lips. She had thought being with Robert would end everything between them, but it hadn’t. It only made her want him more. She swallowed hard and tried to regain control of her emotions. This was about passion, not love. She was not going to get hurt. She remained in control. ‘And how long will this affair last?’
‘Until we tire of each other.’ He placed a kiss on her nose. His hand caught her elbow and held her against his body. ‘What is between us has only just begun, Henri. I believe I amply demonstrated that. Let us be truthful with each other.’
She put up her hands and broke free. Be truthful. It would mean having to confess about how she had contributed to Edmund’s early death, and everything else, and she wasn’t ready for that. She could be truthful about what she wanted from him. ‘An affair between friends.’
‘You shall have your wish, my dear Henri. No one shall hear of it from my lips.’ He raised her fingers to his mouth. ‘I do not kiss and tell.’
Chapter Twelve
Robert strode along the pathway beside St Andrew’s church towards the market square. An affair with Henri. Of all the outcomes he’d anticipated when he received her note about the other forfeit, he’d never expected to discover a passionate Henri, willing and eager to make love in the sunshine. Unexpected, but highly desirable.
It amazed him that they had been neighbours for all this time without him understanding the passion smouldering within her. And it also showed how little her cousin knew her. Cawburn’s mockery still rankled. Henri was better than that. She judged people on their deeds, not their pedigree. She was honest and true. He’d seen it in her actions. But would it be better to end it now? Keep it to the one perfect time?
Not see Henri again in that way? Prudent, but impossible.
Even now his body thrummed with the anticipation of encountering her again. And someday, he’d discover why she clung to her past and her late husband’s memory so tightly. But he had to keep a cool head. He knew the folly of completely engaging his emotions. He knew when to stop. He would end it before it happened. He always had before. Kept his heart apart. There was no reason why his encounters with Henri should be any different.
‘Mr Montemorcy. Mr Montemorcy!’ Miss Armstrong signalled to him from near the market cross. Her violent green dress made her look bilious. ‘It’s imperative that we speak.’
With a mental sigh, Robert bid goodbye to the pleasurable but vexing problem of Henri. ‘Miss Armstrong, what is the matter? You appear distressed.’
The spinster’s yellow silk bonnet shook and she withdrew a handkerchief from her reticule. ‘I have been insulted and you are the only person I can turn to.’
‘Indeed.’ There was no reason for Miss Armstrong to suppose any finer feeling existed between them. He had proceeded with the utmost care and consideration, but with no special or marked attention. It bothered him that the woman should feel he would be willing to be her protector against the world. ‘And who has insulted you? If it’s within my power, of course, I will do something about it.’
‘Your ward.’
‘Sophie!’ Robert stared at her. ‘What has my ward done? Does her stepmother know?’
‘I did my best, Mr Montemorcy,’ Miss Armstrong said, wringing her handkerchief. ‘But your ward refused to listen to common sense. It comes from the upbringing, I suppose. Perhaps manners are different where you are from and Miss Ravel is simply misguided and high-spirited. But the fact remains that you were in error when you allowed her to go to the ball.’
‘Where is Sophie? Have you two quarrelled?’ Robert glared at Miss Armstrong. How dare the woman judge Sophie in that fashion! Sophie might be headstrong, but she had behaved in an exemplary fashion at the ball.
‘She has gone and all because of the ball.’ Miss Armstrong raised a lace-edged handkerchief to her eyes. ‘And you are going to blame me. I did my best, Mr Montemorcy. To keep her here and to guide her along the right path. I did my best to warn her of the folly of her actions.’
‘I’m sure you did, Miss Armstrong.’ Robert retained a narrow leash on his temper. He refused to quarrel with a pillar of the community in the middle of a busy market square. Already several people had turned to look at them. ‘Both the Ravels have been grateful for your guidance and hand of friendship these past few weeks.’
‘Once you are apprised of the situation, you will understand why we must now be distant acquaintances. I could not possibly ally.’ Her tiny mouth pursed as she dabbed her eyes. ‘I hope I do not pain you too much, but I felt the sentiments must be expressed.’
