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Her eyes widened, and she pulled her hand back. “You mustn’t.” She jumped to her feet and left the gazebo.
“Bella, I’m sorry.” Cursing himself, he hurried after her along the path. She almost ran from him. “What is the matter? Are you afraid of me?”
“No, not that…” She stumbled and would have fallen into the lake had he not caught her. He swung her up in his arms. “Are you hurt?”
She turned her face into his chest. “Only my pride.”
He gazed down tenderly at her. What an oaf he’d become. He must fight the urge to grow close to her. “I shall carry you up to make sure.” He strode up the steps, the dainty fragrant bundle in his arms, filling him with a mix of emotions. Desire certainly, but also a need to protect her, for her to be his. How absurd. What had come over him! He was acting like a fool.
He reached the garden path.
“You can put me down now,” she said in a small voice.
He lowered her carefully to her feet. “I am truly sorry.”
“No, it was nothing. I enjoyed our walk. It was just that I didn’t realize how late it is. I must go up and dress for dinner.”
They returned to the house without speaking and parted at the stairs. Friedrich went in search of his sister. He needed a distraction from his riotous thoughts. Maria could be relied on to provide a dose of cold reason. But when about to knock at her door, he dropped his hand and walked away. He hated to put his feelings into words. Whatever he felt had become intensely personal, and he wished to hold it close to his heart.
