Page 89 of The Lady’s Great Escape

“I suspected he was more than just a friend. Despite him suggesting the two of us would be well met, I detected reluctance on his part.”

“He has found someone else he wishes to marry because I told him I had no interest in marriage. And now…”

“You are interested?”

“Yes. Isn’t love a strange, silly thing?”

“That it is. Quite unwanted, yet it doesn’t seem to matter.”

“Perhaps the one you love will find herself in a similar situation. Could you ask her brother if she’s said anything about you?”

“I did and he was just as flummoxed as I. I imagine I will wait for her until it’s too late. If she marries, I will have no choice but to move on. Until then I will continue to smile across the room when I catch her looking. I’ll hold out hope that she will give me another chance.”

After wishing him the best of luck with his reluctant true love, Celia went to her room and let Nettie help her out of her gown. It was not the way she’d planned the night to go. Instead of starting an illicit affair, she was going to bed thinking of marriage.

To a man who had offered for her and she’d rejected too many times to count. And now it was too late to change her mind, even though it was clear her heart belonged to him. Would she and Kit spend the rest of their lives smiling at one another across a ballroom?

No. Because Celia was done attending ton events.

The next day, she stayed in her room rather than go down for breakfast. Kit hadn’t been coming for the morning meal lately, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be there that morning with a big smile on his face as he announced his joyous news.

Celia wanted Kit to have everything he’d ever wanted. She couldn’t very well blame him for finding someone wonderful when she’d told him time and again; she didn’t want marriage.

Except now the thought seemed more appealing the longer she considered it. She’d never thought herself fickle—not having the option for such a trait in her earlier years. But she now wanted something she couldn’t have.

No, that wasn’t correct. She wanted something that had been offered and she’d rejected. And it was too late. Unlike the woman Jonathan loved, Kit was to be married.