Page 32 of Indecently Daring

“Miss Cadogan,” he began, his voice hoarse with mortification and regret, but she was already moving towards the front door. She snatched up her bonnet and cloak and hurried outside.

“Bloody hell,” Harry said, snatching up his own coat and going after her.

She was walking fast, down the narrow lane that led back toward Holbrook House. It was a longer route but did not pass via the village, so no one would see her. Thankfully, there was a little moonlight, so it was not pitch dark, though it was icy cold. Harry’s breath clouded on the air as he caught up with her.

“Miss Cadogan, I beg you to forgive me. That was a terrible thing to say. I don’t know what came over me, I didn’t even mean it, I swear I didn’t.”

She glanced at him but did not slow down. “Fine, I forgive you. Now go home. You’ve had a long day and I’m perfectly capable of walking to Holbrook alone.”

“I’m not leaving you to walk home in the dark by yourself,” he said, outraged by the suggestion. “Besides which, you’re still angry with me.”

“I am not angry,” she said, sounding bloody furious if he was any judge.

“I’m so sorry,” he said again, figuring the repetition couldn’t hurt.

“I said I’m not angry,” she repeated, but as the words were growled more than spoken, it was a less than reassuring statement.

“I remain unconvinced.”

She glared at him.

“Not that I blame you!” he said hurriedly. “I think… I think I was a little offended.”

Harry stumbled to a halt as she stopped in her tracks.

“How on earth did I offend you?”

“‘Can you seriously see me married to a vicar?’” he repeated, mimicking her and giving a toss of imaginary blonde locks.

Miss Cadogan gaped at him. “I never said it like that!”

“Yes, you did, as if you were far too good for the role,” he countered, irritated all over again, although he was supposed to be apologising.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, her voice remarkably cold before she strode off again.

Harry kept pace with her. “Oh, come on. You can admit it. I know how these things work. I’m a third son, remember? Everyone wants the heir, and even the spare has some value, but a third son? Oh, no. They’re dispensable, and as for a lowly vicar, I should think not. A woman with your looks and connections could marry anyone she wants. You could have comfort and security and a life of ease. That’s the goal, isn’t it?”

“No!” She turned towards him, shoving him hard. Harry stumbled back on the uneven ground, shocked by the strength behind the action. “No, that’s not the goal, you ignorant, opinionated man. The goal was to marry my best friend. I spent years preparing to be a farmer’s wife, to be useful and knowledgeable and capable, to create a place where we would be happy together, a business we would run together, side by side, and we’d be safe and happy and it w-would be w-wonderful, but it all went wrong.”

To Harry’s horror, her lip trembled, and tears streamed down her lovely face.

“Oh, I hate you!” she exclaimed, swiping angrily at her wet cheeks. “Now look what you’ve done.”

She turned away, clearly intending to walk off in a temper once more, but Harry caught hold of her arm.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice soft this time, dismayed at how he’d hurt this generous woman who had been so kind to him. “Truly. I’m an unfeeling brute, and I’m so terribly sorry. I feel wretched, if it’s any consolation. I wish things had worked out for you.”

Harry was uncomfortably aware the last part felt like a lie.

She shook her head, not looking at him. “Well, that, at least, is not your fault,” she said with a huff of amusement, which was the saddest sound he’d ever heard.

“Who was he?” he asked, tamping down a rush of inappropriate feelings that were too disturbing to contemplate right now.

She shrugged. “My sister’s husband’s little brother. The baron’s brother,” she added, sending him a sideways glance.

Harry ignored the dig, he deserved it after all. “What happened?”

“We thought we loved each other, and we did, but we were just children. We didn’t know, didn’t understand what love was, but we were engaged, and for almost five years I thought that was it, that he was the one, and we made so many plans and… and I feel such a fool.”