The Diamond by Diane Gaston

Author:Diane Gaston
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Amanda's throat constricted. The captain — she could not call him Christian now, not when he addressed her as Miss Reynolds — was handing her a way out of her difficulties. If she married him there would be no blemish to her reputation. No loss of fortune. Money to support Aunt Ellen. There were countless advantages.

All she need do was accept his proposal of marriage.

He turned away from her. "If…if you see fit to accept, I have enough wealth to keep you in comfort. The title I come into is a respectable one. It will not elevate you in society, but neither will it debase you."

His voice was so stiff, so formal, so unlike the man who had comforted her and held her in his arms. He was being good, she realized. Doing what he ought, not what he wanted for himself. Changing his life as he had done for his sisters when he gave up the cavalry to accept his eventual inheritance of a title and property.

He turned back to her, not quite meeting her gaze. "You do not speak, Miss Reynolds."

She was filled with love for him, a man so determined to do what was right in spite of his own desires, though she felt her heart breaking with the knowledge that she'd become another duty for him.

Her lip trembled and she hoped he did not see. "It does you credit to make the offer, sir. I am very sensible of the honor you do me, but it is unnecessary."

His glance captured hers. "It is necessary. My behavior this morning…"

It was she who looked away. "We shall not think of that." Although she would never forget the feeling of his lips upon her skin, her own shocking wantonness, the sensations he created inside her. She took a breath. "You have said no one knows we are here. I am persuaded there shall be no harm done if you simply take me home."

"You refuse me, then?" His voice was low.

"I free you, Captain." She glanced back at him, but his back was turned to her and she could not see the effect of her words upon him.

"As you wish." He faced her again, but his expression gave away no emotion. "The curricle is likely ready if you are prepared to leave."

She rose from the bed, feeling dizzy from the emotions swirling inside. The aching of her head was only part of her pain, but she refused to complain. The sooner she got the captain away from here, the better were the chances they would not be recognized and he forced to marry her, after all.

He gave her his arm, as stiff as his manner toward her, as he escorted her down the stairs.

The innkeeper's wife met them at the door of the inn. "Now don't you look better, lamb," she clucked.

Amanda gave her a wan smile. "I thank you again for your kindness."

Ramsford opened the door, but the innkeeper's wife stopped them. "Where is your bonnet, lamb? The sun is bright today.

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