He pretended to contemplate her question. “Well, perhaps no longer with you, but I’m sure some ladies would find me charming, indeed.”
“Then go seek them out and leave me alone.” She attempted to walk around him, but he smoothly stepped into her path.
“Oh, come now, Marina. Surely a public stroll with me wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.” He extended his arm toward her. “You can tell me what has you ready to assault innocent pebbles.”
She didn’t take his arm but found herself pausing. “I don’t require your arm, but I suppose you may walk beside me. If you must.”
They fell into step together, and she cursed herself for the comfort she found in his presence. She was playing with fire, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
“So…” he said after a moment, “What has you in such a state? And don’t say it’s nothing—you’ve been grinding your teeth since I approached.”
“If you must know, my father has given me three days to find a husband or he’ll accept Minto’s suit.”
The words escaped before she could stop them. Evan halted mid-stride, his entire demeanor changing.
“Three days? Marina, you cannot—Minto is—” He seemed to struggle for words, his hands clenching at his sides.
“I’m aware of what Minto is.” She resumed walking, forcing him to catch up. “Which is why I must find another option quickly.”
“Let me—” he started, then stopped himself.
She glanced at him sideways. “Let you what?”
He was quiet for a long moment, and when she looked at him fully, something in his expression made her heart ache. He looked… defeated.
“Do you ever think you might forgive me, Marina?” His voice was quiet, serious. “What must I do?”
She stopped walking and faced him properly. “Do something that proves you are actually sorry. That I have any reason to believe you are in earnest and deserve forgiveness. That there is some reason that justified the cruelty that you showed me.”
They stood there staring at each other. Something in his eyes reminded her of that first day in the field, when she’d believed…no she had known that he was everything she’d ever wanted.
The church bells chimed the hour, breaking the spell.
“I must go,” she said, motioning to Millie.
“Marina—”
“Please don’t.” She couldn’t bear to hear whatever he might say. Not when she had three days to save herself and he certainly wasn’t an option. “Just… don’t.”
She walked away before he could stop her, refusing to look back. If she did, she might do something foolish like run into his arms. And that would only lead to heartache.
He had already proven that she couldn’t count on him. She couldn’t trust that he would be there for her when she needed him.
As she hurried home, one thought consumed her: she had to find a husband. And it couldn’t be Evan Villiers, no matter how much her traitorous heart wished otherwise.
Chapter Nine
Evan
Evan paced hisstudy for what felt like hours after the walk in Hyde Park had done little to settle his nerves. Marina’s words echoed over and over in his mind:
“Do something that proves you are actually sorry. That I have any reason to believe you are in earnest and deserve forgiveness.”
Three days. She had three bloody days before that bastard Minto would have her. If he thought that bodily harm to her father would solve the problem, he would consider it. Although, even still, he was still considering it.
He poured himself a brandy and knocked it back in one burning swallow. How could he prove anything when he could barely hold his estates together? When he’d sacrificed being with her once to protect her from his family’s ruin? That threat still hung over him, and he wasn’t certain what the clues from his father would expose.
He punched the wall before he could think better of it. The pain felt appropriate—less than he deserved for the hurt he’d caused her. Blood welled on his knuckles, but he barely noticed.
