Page 84 of From Unwanted to Duchess
“You are not a worn glove or a toy.” For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Something that looked like pain. “Please do not say such things to me. You do not know me at all. You haven’t the slightest notion.”
“No, truly I do not. I thought I did. I thought I had finally understood you. In fact, I still think I do. You are so terrified of what might be that you hide behind a wall of coldness and control, and in the meantime, you’re denying yourself happiness. You’re denyingushappiness.”
His jaw clenched. “Do not tell me about my own character. I know perfectly well who I am and what is best for me. Now, your reaction tells me that you are not willing to help me with Somerset Trust, and that is perfectly fine. You are free to do as you please. Think about what I said regarding an annulment and let me know how you wish to proceed.”
She stood up, her chair scraping back. Her whole body was shaking now. “That’s it? I am to be turned out like a naughty scullery maid?”
“If you wish to remain here in this house,” he said with a sigh, “you can. I will leave. But I had assumed, given the circumstances, that you would rather stay with Aunt Eugenia, or you would perhaps wish to stay with one of your cousins. But in any case, the house is yours if you want it.”
“I do not want your house.” Her voice broke. She hated that. Hated that he could hear her breaking. “And I do not want your money. Do not send me a single shilling; it will be sent back immediately.”
Her heart thundered in her chest. How dare he treat her in such a way? How dare he shatter her heart in such a careless manner?
They stared at one another for a moment. His lips parted, as though he was going to say something. His hand twitched, as though he wanted to reach for her.
Say something. Tell me you don’t mean this. Tell me you love me.
But James didn’t. Instead, he shook his head and turned back to the window.Dismissingher.
Frances took a deep breath. Her eyes stung, but she wouldn’t cry. Not here. Not in front of him.
She dashed out of the room, her feet carrying her up the stairs before she even knew where she was going. She barely made it to her chamber before she threw herself onto her bed and let the tears come. Great, gasping sobs that shook her whole body.
She pressed her face into the pillow to muffle the sound. She didn’t want him to hear it. Didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.
He had kissed her. He had held her. He had looked at her with such fear and such love. And then he had thrown it all away. Thrownheraway.
Because he was a coward.
And she had been a fool to think otherwise.
