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Chapter23
Mary paced the floor of her bedroom, trying to decide what to do.One week had passed since that wonderful night out in the gazebo.Ashford had shown her physical delight she’d never even imagined—despite what Amelia had assured her.Rapture made all the more powerful because she’d come to care for the man.To love him.
She had to speak to Amelia.Ashford would be joining them for dinner again tonight, and she needed her friend’s advice.She was tempted to go to her friend’s bedroom but quickly discarded the notion.Lowenbrock was home, and they might be sharing a private moment.
Instead, she penned a quick note and asked a maid to deliver it to the marchioness.
She didn’t expect to find Amelia at her bedroom door minutes later but was grateful she wouldn’t have to wait.
She sank onto the edge of her bed.“I think Ashford has changed his mind about courting me.”
Amelia took a seat next to her.“Nonsense.The man is smitten with you.Everyone can see it…Icould see it last summer when you were both at the estate.”
A ghost of a smile touched Mary’s lips as memories filled her mind.She’d liked Ashford then but not romantically.She’d thought a man like him would never be interested in her.She should have remembered that their courtship was only pretend, but instead she’d allowed herself to get carried away.
“Our courtship isn’t real.”
“So you’ve told me.But while the man may have started out thinking it was only pretend, that’s no longer true.You told me he kissed you.”
Heat touched her cheeks.“And perhaps a little bit more.”
Amelia’s brows drew together.“Do you care for him?”
Mary wanted to say no, but she wouldn’t lie.Neither to Amelia nor to herself.“It started out as friendship.It was fun playing the role, and I’ll admit that it amused me to see Edwina go a little insane at the possibility I would marry the man she’d dreamed of having for herself when she was a young girl.”
“And what do you feel now?Friendship is a great place from which to start.”
Mary closed her eyes and let out a breath before meeting her friend’s gaze.“I’ve discovered that I love him.”
Amelia’s grin threatened to split her face.“I knew it.”
“But he’s been pulling away this past week.Since… the masquerade.I think he’s changed his mind.”
Amelia drew her into a tight hug, then released her.“Don’t give up on him yet.”
Mary wanted to tell her friend that not every story has a happy ending.Amelia had gotten one herself, but Mary didn’t think the same would happen for her.
“I’m worried about dinner tonight.I have a feeling that matters will finally come to an end.”
Amelia looked like she wanted to say something but shook her head and pulled Mary to her feet.“You were there for me when things went awry with John, so know that I’ll always be there for you.I’m telling you to have faith… and to believe in the possibility of a happy ending for yourself.”
Mary wanted that more than she’d ever wanted anything.
When she andAmelia made their way downstairs, she could hear male voices coming from the drawing room.Ashford and Lord Lowenbrock.
She didn’t realize she’d stopped until Amelia took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze.Mary took a deep breath before nodding to her friend and continuing to the drawing room.
Ashford’s gaze locked on hers with an intensity that had her steps faltering.He murmured something to Amelia’s husband before crossing the room toward her.Mary sensed her friend going to her husband’s side, but she only had eyes for the man standing before her now.The man with the power to make her whole or break her apart.
“Can we speak in private?”His deep voice sent a shiver of awareness through her.It was the same tone he’d used when they were intimate that night in the gazebo.She hadn’t heard it since then.
She was acutely aware of her friends’ eyes on them.She wanted to believe she could have this… That she could have him.But fear had her bracing for the worst.
Perhaps she could put this off for one more day.It was cowardly, but she couldn’t face the reality that her all-too-brief time with this man was over.“I’m sure that anything you wish to say to me can be said right here.”
His gaze roamed over her face, and she let out a breath of relief.He would let the matter drop now.
But instead, he straightened, and dread settled in the pit of her stomach like a lead weight.
