She willed Lyon to look up and meet her eyes. It must’ve worked because he did.
And when he did, she pressed her lips together and tried to silently ask him the question she needed an answer to.
Lyon could see the question in her eyes and knew the answer she wanted.
She wanted him to ask her to stay. The way she’d responded to his kiss yesterday morning told him that much. She’d made herself at home in his castle over the last few days.
Nay. She’d made itahome.
They’d worked together, side-by-side, on their various pursuits. They’d played chess in his study. They’d read together in the library, sharing interesting facts they’d learned as they leafed through each book. She’d laughed as he tried to help her cook; the scents of their endeavors wafting around them both.
And she’d stood in his arms, feeling oh-so-very-right.
Something had happened in the last few days, something unexpected. He’d loved Rose, aye, but the way he felt about Bonnie…?
Well, it certainly wasn’t love. Itcouldn’tbe love. He couldn’t love another woman, because then she’d be at risk. And he liked Bonnie too much to risk her future.
But…somethinghad happened in the last few days. The connection they had, the closeness, seemed almost…fairy tale. Lyon dropped his gaze to the sausages, scowling. Perhaps there was something in the food.
He was silent for too long apparently, as Keith cleared his throat. “Lyon?”
It took a moment to gather the courage to face the disapproval he knew he’d see in the younger man’s face, but when Lyon eventually lifted his gaze, it was to see Keith exchanging a wince with Sander.
The two men might also be brothers, but they had little in common. Hell, for that matter, Keith—with his cheerful attitude and constant wit—had little in common with Lyon. But he was still his best friend.
Right now though, he could tell neither Keith nor Sander approved of Lyon’s hesitation.
Well, to hell with them!Theydidn’t have to live with the crippling guilt—the cripplingpain—which had come after he’d failed to save Rose! He didn’t ever want to be in that situation again!
So he met Bonnie’s eyes and tamped down the guilt which rose when he saw the unspoken plea in her gaze.
“I’ll get yer manuscript together, and the sketches I made for ye.”
Her expression fell into disappointment. Lyon didn’t bother muffling his curse as he pushed away from the table and stood. Once upright, he glanced at his brothers, both of whom were looking at him as if he were an idiot, and he nodded stiffly.
Then, ignoring the way tears were gathering in Bonnie’s eyes, he turned and fled the room like a coward.
His dreams were haunted by Rose’s screams. He was already cursed. Sending Bonnie away wasn’t going to curse him any worse.
This was the right decision.
It had to be.
“I’m sorry, milady. He can be an idiot.” Keith smiled softly at her as he handed her the case with her manuscript. “He cares for ye, I ken it.”
Her lips twisted wryly as she tucked the case under one arm. “That is hard to believe, my friend, what with him sending me away like this.”
“He’ll regret it.”
Her smile turned sad. “That will not help, because the deed will be done.” Taking a deep breath, she placed her hand on Keith’s shoulder and pulled him in for a hug. It was awkward, and quick, but she felt him exhale as if a decision had been made.
When they both straightened, she gave him a firm nod. “Please take care of him, Keith.”
“I promise, Bonnie.” His voice was rough, and he shoved his hands behind his back as if he didn’t know what to do with them. “And ye take care of yerself too, alright?”
“I promise. Give my regards to Mrs. Oliphant, whose soup I will remember fondly.”
His smile seemed genuine now. “I will.” Then he cleared his throat and looked over his shoulder, before stepping back.
