The Perfect Spinster_A Regency Romance by Annabelle Anders

Author:Annabelle Anders [Anders, Annabelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Annabelle Anders
Published: 2019-07-31T18:30:00+00:00

“Olivia.” Something brushed at her chin. “I need to leave.”

Olivia blinked open her eyes. Gabriel stood beside the bed, already dressed. In the full light of day, the bruises on his face looked worse than they had last night, and for the first time since she’d known him, he wasn’t meeting her gaze.

The warmth she’d felt upon waking began ebbing away, and a cold foreboding crept in.

“I know.” She forced a tremulous smile, willing him to meet her eyes. “You’re needed at the mine.” At least he’d gotten some rest, and his clothes looked to have dried while they… slept.

But he was shaking his head. “You… I mean, I need to leave you. We–I–cannot.”

Olivia sat up, clutching the sheet to herself. She’d known he would go back to London soon. Of course, he wouldn’t stay here forever. But… Had she fooled herself into thinking he loved her? If he did, it was doubtful he could do anything about it. Even if he wanted to.

Words escaped her.

He sighed into the empty silence and then took a few hesitant steps toward the window, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular outside.

The sun was finally shining, birds could be heard singing, and Olivia could only imagine how green her garden must be this morning.

“Stanton and your sister are likely already on the road back. I’ll remain, of course, as long as he requires my assistance. As soon as…” He swallowed hard. “As soon as all the bodies have been recovered at the very least. Hell, I’ve made a mess of everything.”

He obviously included her in what he considered his mess. His words stung.

He had not felt the same emotions she had. Olivia dropped her gaze to the hem of the sheet she was clutching. “You don’t have to go because of…” She waved her hand along the bed. “Me.”

“I have… business to attend to in London—business I’ve put off too long.” And then, “I’m sorry.”

She’d scream if he uttered his apology again.

“I haven’t asked for anything from you,” she reminded him. She had a small amount of pride left. She’d not given herself to him under false pretense.

He turned his back to the window and finally met her eyes. “That’s the crux of it, Damnit, Olivia! You have every right to make demands of me. Your father ought to hold a shotgun against my brain until I’ve met you at the altar. You are a gently bred young woman, not a servant, not a woman without means. You deserve all due respect and…” He stopped and swallowed hard. Looking out the window, he added, “I’m so–”

“Stop!” At her command, he finally looked at her. She couldn’t hide the hurt she felt. Had she been so disappointing then? “Stop apologizing.”

He held her gaze steadily. “Olivia. I am betrothed.”

She inhaled but no air entered her lungs. She wrapped her arms around her stomach. He couldn’t be betrothed. It wasn’t possible. He would have told her.

This must be something new. Something he had no control over. “To one of the duke’s daughters?” But he was shaking his head.

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