She would briefly explain, in the fewest words possible, that this…this whatever it was dictated her life, and as such, it would be best for all concerned if they never saw one another again. Although, of course, they could remain friends, as wasde rigueurin these situations.
Her cousin had called her a stubborn goosecap and had stomped from the bedchamber, but Verity’s mind was made up – which was all for the best, of course.
“Enter.”
The door opened and Miles strode in.
Without Sephi.
Or even Aunt.
Her eyes widened, fingers now clutching the coverlet tight as he firmly closed the door behind him in a decidedly Captain Firth manner, a linen bag clutched in his other hand.
“Where’s Sephi?”
He remained by the door, hair tousled and with that stern gaze that made him appear quite ferocious. Verity shivered so drew the coverlet yet tighter to her neck.
“A matter in the kitchens has detained her.”
The kitchens?As far as Verity knew, Sephi didn’t know where the kitchens were.
“Well, we should wait for her.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a man. And I’m a woman. In a bedchamber.”
His lips quirked. “I’m not sure that two women and a man in a bedchamber is any better, Verity.”
Her lips pursed but she wafted a hand to the damask-upholstered chair at the far dressing table. “Take a seat then. This won’t take long.”
Miles ignored the chair and strode over to sit on the side of her bed, squashing the mattress so that she slid in his direction.
With a gulp, she scrambled back to theterra firmaof the centre.
“Don’t be frightened of me, Verity.”
She wasn’t frightened of Miles. She was frightened of herself – of his ivy-green eyes causing her to do something foolish like seize hold of him and drag him flat.
“Miles,” she said in her primmest manner, clasping her hands together. “I wish to–”
“Can I begin, if I may?”
Warily, she eyed him but granted a nod as his gaze was so very stern.
“Verity…”
His lips had flattened and she prepared herself. Perhaps he’d realised the kisses must stop also. “Yes, Miles?”
“I have feelings for you.”
She blinked. “F-feelings?”
“When I thought you in danger within that storm, my guts wrenched such as I’ve never known. When I saw you in the carriage, cowering and silent, my own breath nigh halted.” He twisted, stared into her eyes. “I will be honest and say I’ve yet to examine these feelings within myself, and I’m not all that good at ascertaining feelings as it is, but I do know they will not allow me to simply walk away from you without discussion or without explanation. Of…everything.”
“E-everything? I don’t think that–”
“I will not pretend that I didn’t think of you in anger over these past seven years, for I believed you had forsaken me. I enjoyed the army and life, but that summer month together has always stayed with me – the laughter and such fierce passion, our shared interests and the quiet time when we would just…be. Those memories have never left me, no matter how much I wished they would on occasion. And within them,you, Verity, have never left me.”
