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Jo’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open for a brief moment before she let out a laugh. “You must be joking.”
Richard shook his head. “I am sorry, Jo. I shouldn’t have insisted on this affair at all. I wanted to lose myself in a few nights of passion with no regard for you and your feelings. But you were right from the start. This was a mistake.”
Jo’s gaze was lost. Confusion lined her features. She didn’t know how to react without losing her pride, and Richard saw the emotions battling inside her. He wanted to envelop her in his arms and beg for forgiveness, kiss that uncertain expression off her face. But that would only make it worse.
He needed to end it. Now. Because, as of today, he was officially a betrothed man.
Jo looked around the room, her gaze unable to settle on a single thing. “What made you change your mind?”
“Does it matter?”
She closed her eyes. “I saw the emotion in your eyes that day on the roof. Do not deny it. That might not have been love, but it was something similar. And it frightened you, didn’t it?”
She was so brave, his little actress. So strong. Standing here and daring to challenge him. But he couldn’t give her even a sliver of hope. This was the end. “I don’t do emotions, Jo. I never let myself get this far in a relationship. So whatever emotion you thought you saw in me, it was probably the reflection of your own.”
She reared back, her chest rising and falling with her frantic breaths. “So that’s it then? You are the one who decides that our liaison is over?”
Richard nodded. “That’s it.”
He knew that he was hurting her. He knew it would’ve been better if he told her the truth.I care about you, Jo. You are the only woman on my mind. But I am betrothed to another.
His mouth opened, to say just that, but then he closed it. Would it have been better? To torture them both with their forbidden feelings? Perhaps it was better if she just hated him. Perhaps it was better if she left before the betrothal was even announced.
“I think it would be better if you leave,” he croaked out. “The house party.”Because if you don’t, I might never have the strength to go through with my betrothal.
Jo pursed her lips together to stop them from trembling. It didn’t help. There was confusion and pain in her eyes, and Richard wished he could have made it better. But he didn’t know how.
He was inept in situations like this. He had broken off half a dozen affairs before but he always did it without remorse or doubt. He never felt anything when he did so. And the women usually stormed off in a fit of fury.
This was new. Jo tried to remain calm and strong against the storm that brewed inside her. And he felt her storm. Because the same emotions rioted inside his heart.
She finally gave a nod, walked past him, and rushed away from his room.
