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“I’m a viscount. I don’t need you to school me in acceptable behavior.” He grabbed her fan, holding it in his hand even as she still held it in his hers.
“Really? You don’t act like you have any manners at all,” Cordelia huffed.
Dashlane gave a visible wince. As thought Cordelia had actually wounded him with those words.
Juliet stepped between them. “Thank you, Cordelia, for trying to help me but this isn’t necessary.”
Bianca remained silent but she watched Dashlane glare over Juliet’s shoulder and Cordelia glared back. Something sharp sizzled in the air and her eyebrows lifted. What was happening?
But she didn’t have time to question it further as Chris and her father returned to the room. Bianca was likely going to hell but she needed her own moment and so she turned to her father. “Papa, you should check on Adrianna.”
His eyes widened in surprise but he nodded, mumbling to himself. She just managed to catch the words. “These lords will be the death of me.”
And then he disappeared from the room again. Bianca stepped around Juliet, Cordelia, and Lord Dashlane to race to Chris’s side. “Is everything all right?”
He reached out a hand and pulled her close. “Everything is fine.”
She stopped, looking up at him. Fine? That was his answer? A million questions crowded into her throat. Fine? “Chris?”
He settled her against his body. “I’ve already explained to you why I never intended to marry,” he said, his breath whispering across her cheek as he moved closer.
She nodded. “You did.” Her heart was pounding in her chest as she stared up into his eyes.
“But I can’t let you go either. I’ve told your father that my intention
is to marry you.”
Those words raced along her spine, making her body tingle with excitement. In her heart,
she never believed that Chris would ever hurt her. But he needed to believe that too. And it was
time for Bianca to be strong. To stop living her life always being afraid. “Thank you for saying that.” She placed her hands on his chest. “Meet me in my room tonight. The doors will be open.”
Chapter Fifteen
Chris scratched his head, wondering about what had just happened. He’d asked her to marry him hadn’t he? Had he not? Because she certainly hadn’t answered.
He supposed an invitation to her bedroom counted for something. A great deal, in fact. But unease tightened his stomach. Had he just not asked correctly or did she not wish to answer?
He played the conversation back in his mind. Relief making him limp. He had informed her that he’d asked her father for her hand but not actually asked. That must be the issue.
Mr. Moorish returned and declared that Adrianna had retired for the evening and Crestwood had returned to the cottage. Chris scratched his chin. Suspicious.
But he had his own problems this evening. Fortunately, Dashlane took the role of Romeo and read the lines with a decidedly flat voice as Juliet played the part of well… Juliet. Her overcompensation in the acting department made them an odd pair to be certain.
In addition, Chris couldn’t help but note that Dashlane’s gaze kept sliding to Cordelia, who was doing her utmost not to make eye contact with him.
Dinner was a nice enough affair. He had to confess that he genuinely liked the entire Moorish family and their banter left him warm inside in ways he hadn’t felt in years. This was how family was supposed to be. Not like his. For the first time in years, he wondered what he might have been with a different father.
But even more curious, he thought about who he might become if he spent his life in the loving embrace of Bianca instead of the cold hard existence he’d been living.
Mr. Moorish invited them back to the music room after dinner, but Chris declined and Dashlane slumped in relief at his words. They left the house by the front door, they started down the drive. “Just so you know, I’m not returning to the village with you.”
Dashlane stopped, pivoting toward him. “You really have gone mad.”
Chris shook his head. “Maybe. But if this is madness, I like it.” In fact, he loved it. He loved her.
Damn it all to hell, he loved Bianca. He’d gone and fallen in love. Air rushed into his lungs and he gripped his thigh to keep from shouting out his feelings. How could he not? Everything about her fit against him so perfectly. From her bubbly personality, to her sweet nature, and right down to those soft curves. Then a thought struck him like lightning in a summer storm. He was his best self when he was with her too.
