“You began to witness my battles through their eyes.”
“Yes. I displayed a few in a gallery and then Rothwell saw them, offered to be my patron. At one time, I considered giving them up, but he told me the work moved him so, said my paintings helped bring the terrible conditions to the attention of others. But…forgive me. I never meant to embarrass you.” And it had been so necessary for her in those days. To atone. To be with him in that small way. “All the money from the paintings goes to charities for soldiers. The Duke of Rothwell sees to it.”
Miles rose to his feet and began to pace. “And there was no Locksley, was there?”
Verity closed her eyes. “No.”
“Why invent him then? Did you think using him as reason for your change of feelings would be better?”
“No! That wasn’t it. My feelings had not chan–” She slammed her lips shut.
He paused, eyes glittering. “Then what was lie and what was truth? Why can’t you tell me?”
“I…” Verity faltered, tongue tied, emotions tumbled and jumbled. How could she tell Miles of the past, a weight that still pressed upon her chest like a boulder. He was a damn earl and she ought to push him out and direct him next door – to Juliet, who was everything Verity was not.
“That night we last met,” he said softly, “I was dog-tired from four days in the saddle, was still trying to come to terms with the upheaval my life had become, the turmoil of the future, the harsh words exchanged with my father still ringing in my ears. And then your rejection, the cacophony of it all left me unable to think. But now I know I should have asked more, pressed you for more. Your change of emotion was too…abrupt for the Verity I knew.”
“I was no longer that Verity,” she whispered.
“Did…” He thrust a hand through his hair. “I do not know, and perhaps ’tis presumptuous of me, but…did your rejection of my suit have to do with your father’s death?”
Verity swallowed, throat dry, wits shattered by the past and the misunderstandings. She pushed back a lock of hair, noticed her hand was trembling and grimaced, loathing such weakness. “I…”
He kneeled once more, caught her hand, held it firm. “No. I should not have asked. No more for today as I never meant to upset you. Join me for an outing the day after tomorrow. Please.Bring Miss Nash, your aunt and that mad phaeton. Let us just…enjoy ourselves as we used to.”
“No, I–”
“Kew Gardens? It’s closed for renovations but I’ve been granted access through members of the Horticultural Society. No crowds. The place all to ourselves.”
Her eyes flicked up. “That’s bribery.”
He leaned close, placed a finger beneath her chin. “I’ve learned to do whatever it takes to win a battle.”
Then he kissed her.
Those stern lips so soft, shifting like silk.
But as ever, their passion rose like flames fed oil, and she leaned in, heard him groan and felt his hands cup her cheeks.
The kiss deepened and she flung her arms around his neck, any sense of control lost to his touch, pressed closer and–
Laughter, a thud of the main door and they abruptly drew apart, Sephi’s voice sounding as she sped up the stairs.
“I should go,” he said quietly. “I will see you in two days’ time.”
Head bowed, she nodded. Let him leave. Listened to his footsteps cross the room.
Her voice was mere breath… “You were supposed to follow your dreams, Miles.”
The footsteps halted.
Surely he’d not heard her?
“Verity.” He paused. “Youweremy dreams.”
And the door closed behind him.
18
