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“Where you met? Or when?”
A nostalgic smile. “Several days after I left Spraystone. I was in London. That particular night, I’d accepted invitations to numerous parties. The prospect of attending even a single one of them left me cold. So I delayed the inevitable as long as possible, strolling aimlessly about town, wishing I could do so forever. I spotted her immediately. One doesn’t miss the kind of beauty she emanates. She was stargazing on a bench alongside the embankment road. I joined her there. We spent only a quarter hour together that evening, but I felt as if I’d known her all my life.”
“That evening? Then you’ve seen her since?”
A nod. “But not often enough.”
“Dustin, is it that she doesn’t return your feelings?”
“To the contrary, I think she feels precisely as I do. And she’s fighting it every step of the way.”
“Why?”
Dustin inhaled, weighing his explanation so as not to reveal too much. “We’re from very different worlds. My world intimidates her. So does my reputation.”
Ariana’s brows rose. “She knows of your reputation and she hasn’t bolted? She must care for you a great deal.”
“Very amusing.”
“I wasn’t trying to be amusing.” A thoughtful pause. “Dustin, if I combine what little you’ve said with the fact that none of us, including yourself, has ever had occasion to meet this girl before now, I have to assume she’s not of noble birth.”
“Your assumption is correct. She lives a much simpler or, to use her words, more provincial life than we do.”
“In which case, how can you blame her for being intimidated? Were I she, I’d be quaking in my shoes. Lord alone knows what she’s heard about you. Most of which, I might add, is true—or have you forgotten?”
“I haven’t forgotten. But how can I convince her that all that’s behind me now? That she’s different, special? That I’m so bloody in love with her I can’t think straight?”
“That depends. Have you seduced her?”
Dustin started. “What kind of question is that?”
“A pertinent one. I infer from your description that the young lady in question is not experienced when it comes to men.”
“As naive as you were.”
Ariana grinned. “I’m not certain if that’s a compliment or a condemnation, but it is an answer. Is she young?”
“Your age.”
“But she’s been protected by her family, I’m guessing.”
“You can certainly say that, yes.”
“Then I repeat, have you seduced her?”
“You, of course, assume that I have.”
“Quite the opposite,” Ariana demurred in her customarily serene fashion. “I suspect you’re so eager to dispel her apprehensions that you’ve been unthinkably self-controlled—at least for you.”
Dustin shot her a look. “I sense a barb beneath that supposed commendation, but I’ll answer nonetheless. You’re right. I’m doing my best to convey my feelings without compromising her or her values.”
“I see.” A tiny pucker formed between Ariana’s brows. “Have you told her how you feel?”
“I’ve done all but utter the words. I’d gladly give her those, too, if I weren’t so afraid she’d bolt.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what more to do.”
“Have you considered giving her time?”
Silence.
