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“What I want is for you to get back on the boat and go back to America. Nobody wants you here, and those who did are dead.”
“I’m very well aware of that.”
“Then why don’t you go?”
Blackmore sighed and glanced away. A flash of pain passed across his face, and it almost had Victoria backing down. She had been so upset that she had forgotten that he had just lost his whole family.
Why are you softening to him? He doesn’t deserve it.
“Sebastien made me promise to marry you, and to make sure you were looked after.”
“What?”
“He promised to look after you for Richard, and now I’m carrying on that promise.”
Sebastien had promised Richard? What was he thinking? Victoria shook her head.
“I didn’t want any of that. Richard had no right to make anyone promise that, and you shouldn’t have done it, either.”
“You think I should have refused him on his deathbed?”
“You could have not followed through after his death! I won’t marry you.”
Blackmore arched an eyebrow.
“You were prepared to marry my brother.”
“Do you think I had a choice?” Victoria pointed towards the house, just out of sight due to the slope of the gardens. “My parents are adamant that this is happening. It’s like they’ve given up on me finding my own husband on my own. They don’t want to let me have any freedom.”
“When you’re an unmarried young woman, you don’t get much of an opinion. You have to do as you’re told by your parents. They know what is best for you.”
“But to marry me off to your family? They should be committed.”
Blackmore folded his arms.
“Are you always this disrespectful to your parents?”
Victoria wanted to scream. She wished he would leave. Just his mere presence was making her feel lightheaded, and it wasn’t just because of her anger pushing it.
Was she actually finding him physically attractive? Maybe she could get committed; this shouldn’t be happening.
“You say I’m disrespectful towards my parents. What about their disrespect towards me? At least I should be given the choice.”
“And you would have said no, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course. What fool would want to marry into your family after what you did?”
Blackmore’s eyes narrowed. Something icy brushed over him, and Victoria bumped into the fence as she unintentionally pulled back.
“My brother never hurt anyone. Just because you believe I did something doesn’t mean you get to tarnish Sebastien’s memory as well. He’s dead.”
“So is Richard. My brother, or did you forget?” Victoria shot back. “And what do you mean, I believe you did something. You did do something!”
“You were there, were you?”
“I don’t need to be there. I know you killed Richard! Over a woman.” Victoria snorted. “I’m not surprised Katherine Romaine was able to seduce more than one man at a time, but what I am surprised about is you decided to shoot him for it.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment. His stare was intense, and it made Victoria’s knees weak. It felt like the hairs on her arms, and the back of her neck were standing up. Victoria wanted to run away. This was not how she was supposed to be reacting toward him. Not at all. What was wrong with her?
