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“Oh really?” Antony asked, scoffing. “Then why kiss me here on the beach that time? Why did you kiss me and do so much more with me in the library? You were doing it all just to get your hands on being a Duchess.” He said the words with finality and turned away from her, signaling the conversation was over.
“If that were true, why did I kiss you the first night when I thought you were a footman?” Her words made him stop walking any further. “You were wearing that scruffy jacket; you didn’t look like a Duke. I had no idea who you really were, and yet I kissed you anyway. I likedyou, not your title or your money.”
He could remember that kiss so vividly. The heated bickering had been a lot of fun, culminating in that stolen kiss. She had kissed him back, and he had indeed been wearing that ridiculous jacket. Could it be true?No, it cannot be.
“One night’s mistake?” he said, looking back at her over his shoulder. “Explain those guidelines I found then.”
“They were written by my aunt,” she said miserably, still breathing heavily. She lifted her hands and tried to squeeze the excess water out of her hair. The action drew Antony’s eyes down to her figure with the drenched dress; it accented every curve she had. “Did you ever look at the other guidelines on the list? Did you read them?”
“Oh yes,” he said tartly, “I read everything on that list.”
“Then tell me, did I ever do any of them? Was I ever demure with you? Did I ever flatter you excessively?” He took another step back from her, thinking on her words. She had never done any of that. She had bickered with him, shown spirit and passion, and he had loved that.
“You still did the last guideline on that list. Caught me in a compromising position, didn’t you?” he said, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice.
“Do you not remember everything about that night?” she asked, taking another step toward him. This time, he didn’t step away. “Do you not remember me telling you to stay away from me? I tried to warn you off, and I failed. I tried to leave you at one point too, but I capitulated to you anyway. It was weakness.” She appeared in pain with the words.
“Why? Why did you capitulate then?”
“Because I am in love with you, you fool!” she shouted the words.
Antony stumbled back, just as Hermione turned in a frantic circle, burying her hands in her wet hair.She loves me?
He watched her, seeing the way her body was trembling, and how she could not stand still. “I liked you from the moment I met you,” she said, this time unable to look at him. She was still anxious, turning round on the spot. “How could I not fall in love with you?”
He couldn’t answer her; he was too tongue-tied, staring at her.
“Antony.” She seemed to take control of her body as she moved toward him. “I know you can never love me back now, not after what I have done.” She hiccoughed with the words, evidently trying to hold back tears. “But there is one thing I yearn to have from you.”
“What is that?” he asked quietly.
“I want you to believe me,” she said, with just as low a voice. “Please, Antony. Please believe me?”
