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She was holding something back. It unsettled him, but he decided not to press her.
“As soon as I cleaned up . . .” She paused, her lips pressed into a distressed line. All he could do was hold her hand and wait.
“As soon as I changed, I went to see my mother,” she finally went on. “She was shocked, naturally, and dismayed by his lordship’s behavior. But she found my behavior equally distressing. As far as she was concerned, we were both at fault.”
Royal couldn’t imaginehismother ever saying anything like that to a daughter. “I didn’t realize her ladyship was such a fool.”
“She’s not a fool, but she’s old-fashioned and very much a high stickler. So she was utterly horrified I would even think to refuse marriage, after what happened. As far as Mamma was concerned, I had no choice but to go through with it.”
“Aye, but you were too smart to accept such nonsense.”
That earned him a rueful but genuine smile. “My mother told me I was completely mad. She also made me swear not to tell my father.”
“Because he would be furious with Cringlewood?”
“No, because he would be furious withmefor complicating matters. Papa would no doubt feel obligated to reprimand Cringlewood for behaving so poorly, which would be awkward. Mamma was terrified he would then refuse to marry me if Papa made a fuss.”
“That’s it? Your father would simply deliver a reprimand?” Royal asked in disbelief.
She nodded.
“Good God. Your entire family must either be mad or criminally stupid.”
“Both, probably. As you can imagine, I left for London almost immediately. Papa was livid about that, of course, and believed whateverstupid fightwe’d had shouldn’t matter. He continued to press for the engagement, and I continued to refuse.” She shrugged. “There was no point in telling him the truth, since he would simply agree with my mother.”
“Did you see Cringlewood after that?”
“Just once. I told him that I would never marry him, and that he should direct his attentions elsewhere. He was quite . . . taken aback, for lack of a better term.”
Royal’s stomach clenched. “Did he hurt you again?”
“No. I suppose he was too surprised. That’s when Papa decided to send me into exile in Scotland.”
“You maneuvered him into that, I imagine.”
“I may have said something to the effect that I’d rather bury myself in the Highlands than marry Cringlewood. Papa couldn’t believe I meant such a thing, so he decided to test my resolve.”
“That was clever thinking on your part.”
“Thank you.” Her smile faded. “What I hadn’t counted on was Cringlewood’s persistence.”
“What the hell is wrong with the man? Why continue to pursue an unwilling woman?”
“For my fortune, probably, although he does seem quite obsessed with me,” she said, glancing away.
Again, he got the odd sense that she was holding something back.
When she met his gaze, it was again steadfast and determined. “Whatever the reason, I know he won’t give up. That’s why I need you to marry me . . . before he utterly destroys my life.”
Chapter Ten
Instead of responding to her terse plea, Royal frowned at their joined hands, his thumb absently gliding over her skin. Ainsley was too uncomfortable with the silence to enjoy the sensation.
“Are you all right?” she finally asked.
It had been horribly difficult and embarrassing to tell him the ugly story. She certainly wouldn’t blame him for being embarrassed, too.
He glanced up. “I’m just trying to grasp the implications of all this. It’s rather complicated.”
