Scandalous Wallflower by Amanda Mariel & Amanda Mariel

Author:Amanda Mariel & Amanda Mariel [Mariel, Amanda ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brook Ridge Press

Chapter 7

Jane stared out the paned glass window of her personal sitting room. She had spent the remainder of the night, after Caleb left her chamber, between fitful sleep and self-loathing mixed with vexation. There remained no doubt that she should have told him the truth long ago, all the same, he should not have abandoned her last night. This morning her heart was heavy with a multitude of hurt and anger.

For a moment upon waking, she had considered seeking him out. Forcing him to discuss what had happened and not happened between them. She wished to move past their rough beginning and forge a true union. Still, she could not bring herself to chase after him when he had been so cold to her.

True, she had been wrong in allowing him to believe that they had already shared a bed, but he too had been wrong—from the very start. He had been rude, obnoxious, and crass. It was he who set their whole relationship into motion and now he thought he could simply walk away. She knew not what to do, but one thing was certain, she would not go to him. There would be no begging.

Her pride refused to allow her to humble herself on this particular score.

Rap, rap, rap.

Her heart skipped a beat as she called out, “Enter.”

Caleb stepped into the room and she turned her head to gaze back out the window, showing him a dose of the cool indifference he’d bestowed upon her the previous night.

“I’ve come to make amends.” The heavy fall of his hessians reached her ears as he approached. “Darling, won’t you please look at me?”

She stiffened, raising her chin a notch. How dare he call her by the endearment after treating her like a trollop? No, she would not grant him the satisfaction of looking at him. Nor speaking to him.

“I regret the way last night worked out. Had I known, I could have made our joining far more pleasant.”

His voice grew closer.

Tears pricked at the back of her eyes but she refused to release them. She would not allow him the satisfaction of witnessing her pain.

Caleb placed a hand on her shoulder. “Please let us discuss this.”

Jane ignored the inclination to apologize for not telling him she remained a maiden. While she could not deny her role in the events of the prior evening, she would not admit her fault until he laid claim to his own, which in her opinion were far greater. It did not escape her that he had yet to offer an apology.

“I brought you a present.”

Ha. As if a frivolous gift would make up for his ill-treatment.

“Won’t you have a look?” Caleb prodded his tone soft, laced with regret.

Her heart tugged and she fought the urge to turn to him. He owed her more than a regretful tone and present. She wanted his sincere apology along with an explanation. Settling for less was not an option she was willing to take.

“Very well.” He sat something on the floor beside her chair, but she dare not look to see what it was.

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