The Lady’s Dangerous Love (The BainBridge - Love & Challenges) (The Regency Romance Story) by Jessie Bennett

Author:Jessie Bennett [Bennett, Jessie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carlton House Publishing Co.
Published: 2017-09-11T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ELENA OPENS UP

ELENA OPENS UP

Joshua didn’t make it all the way up to Bella’s room. He hadn’t expected to. He knew that somewhere along the way, Elena would be waiting for him.

She came out of the hallway behind the curved stairs that led up to the second floor just as he was about to take his first step up. He stopped, knowing that if he didn’t speak to her, there would be a scene and it was the last thing he needed.

“Joshua,” she reached out and grabbed his arm. He stepped back down and walked with her to stand next to a large beautifully decorated vase. The vase was extremely valuable and stood to a height just above his waist. He looked down at it, running one finger along its rim, not wanting to look Elena in the eye.

“Elena,” he said. “What is it? It looks like you are upset.”

“I am upset. You spent almost the whole night in Miss Bella’s room. What were you doing in there?”

Joshua frowned. “I was talking to her. I was asked to stay by her brothers. I had no choice.”

“You didn’t need to be given a choice. I could see it’s where you wanted to be. I was in the garden when you came home with her yesterday. I thought you would be right back out and I waited out there for over an hour.”

“That is not my fault, Elena. I had to make sure Miss Bella was comfortable in her bed.”

“You did not take her up to her bed, did you?” Elena sounded shocked.

“No. Nick took her up.”

“Where were you?”

Joshua was annoyed by the questions. It was not Elena’s place to ask him. He was not married to her. He had no obligation to her. He wanted to put his responses delicately but he knew the firmness in his voice would give away his irritation. “Elena, I was asked to stay by the Cornwall brothers. I stayed until I was not needed.”

“You were not needed from the time you took Miss Bella into the house. Her family can care for her.”

Joshua shook his head, looking up at Elena. “What is your point, Elena? Why are you questioning me this way? We are not married. We are not betrothed. We are not courting. What I do is none of your concern.”

“It is my concern, Joshua, we… we…” Elena looked very hurt. Joshua felt bad for her and put his hand on her arm.

“Elena, I have to take care of Miss Bella, too. She is my friend. I played with her when she was a little girl; I protected her as she got older. She is my friend.”

“She has four brothers to take care of her and protect her,” Elena responded, her jealousy written on the lines of her plain face. She pressed back her dark hair, which she had put up in a bun, and closed her eyes for a moment. He could see she was trying to gain control of her emotions. He was proud of her for that, but it didn’t make him desire her.

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