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He’d been gentle but one was loose, and out of habit, she reached for her sewing kit. Keeping her fingers busy would help ease the worry that had hit her with his unexpected disappearance.
Why should she be concerned? They’d signed a contract and sealed it with a wonderful night. The best in her life. But somehow, she’d expected to find him in her bed still, holding her close and kissing the top of her head.
She shifted on her feet, smoothing the pile of clothes she’d just created. Her fears started to rise to the surface. She’d done something wrong and sinful. She’d find herself alone with no money and no prospects.
She drew in a steadying breath trying to calm her fears when her door banged open.
Damian stood in the doorway, staring at her, his grey eyes glittering dark and dangerous.
Her own breath stalled as she realized she was now clutching the clothes to her front. Carefully she set them down. “There you are.”
“Here I am,” he rumbled, his voice low and deep. He pulled up straighter, peering down at her with a dark gaze. The look was not passionate, however, there was something far colder in those dark depths.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her breath catching as she stood.
He pointed a finger. “You lied to me.”
Her hands pressed down her skirt. A lump of dread formed in her throat. Those four words hung between them as her mouth fell open. She had. “Damian.”
He sliced his hand through the air. “There was no fiancé.”
“No.” She gulped down a lump. “But—”
“You deliberately manipulated me.”
“No!” She stepped closer to him, holding her hands out in front of her. “I swear I didn’t.”
“Explain yourself.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to remind Damian that he’d assured her being married to a duke would not result in constant explanation. “I…” She squeezed the dress, worry coiling low in her belly, threatening to strike. Would they even marry now? “I was trying to protect myself.”
“Protect yourself?” He moved closer. “From what?”
“You.” She nibbled at her lip. “Your interest was obvious and I was trying to keep from…” Her words died away as understanding dawned in his eyes.
“But you continued to lie.”
She shook her head. “I tried to explain yesterday as we signed the contract.”
His mouth thinned and she was about to try to explain again when a shadow stepped behind him.
“You signed a contract?”
Raithe. First relief and then shame made her shoulders hunch. He’d know what she’d done. Tears sprung to her eyes.
“We did,” Damian said. “That was before I knew I was being manipulated.”
Raithe grimaced as he looked over at her. “You told him you were already engaged?”
She nibbled her lip. That was the least of her sins. “Yes. You weren’t here. You know I’m no good at this sort of thing.”
“You’ve always been a terrible liar.” He shook his head. “But the deceit was mine. I tried to trick several men into
coming here, though, to be fair, you weren’t one of them.”
Damian’s head snapped back. “Is that supposed to matter?”
“It does to me,” Balstead fired back. “I knew you didn’t have the temperament for making a match. That’s why I didn’t ask you.”
