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“Indeed,” MacElroy agreed then launched into an explanation of the book to Laura who had expressed interest in what they were talking about.

Madeleine saw an abrupt motion out of the corner of her eye and looked up to find Percy standing near the door, glaring daggers at her and her companions. Without saying a word, he turned and left the opera house. He did not return.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Icannot love her. I cannot love her. I cannot love her. I cannot love her. I do not love her!Percy repeated the mantra over and over again as if repeatedly saying it to himself would make it so.

Joining Madeleine at the opera had been a bad choice. Seeing her beauty, feeling the warmth of her skin against his… He had tried to remain at a distance, but it had been impossible. If that was not enough to be ashamed of, his jealousy was. The rage and possessiveness that had overtaken him when she smiled at another man had been so blinding that he had to leave. Which, of course, had only served to fuel his desire for her.

Percy was furious with himself for allowing his feelings to have grown to such an extent. If it got any worse, he would have no choice but to flee England to put space between them.

“What have you done to me, woman?!”Percy groaned in frustration.

He refused to turn around and explain himself to her. He had seen the look in her eyes when he had left abruptly. He had hurt her feelings, but had he spoken with her in that moment, he would have punched Hamish MacElroy in the face. MacElroy was a good man. In truth, he was a much better man for Madeleine than any other that Percy had ever met. The acknowledgement of it caused Percy’s heart to ache in his chest.

I should tell Madeleine that our arrangement is over. She deserves the chance to find happiness with someone, whether she realizes it or not. She may not wish to wed anyone, but her heart has so much love and passion to give it would be a sin to leave it untapped. A woman of her beauty, intellect, and vibrancy should be allowed to burn brightly. She should have her passions enflamed and sated in equal measure.

Percy’s body tightened at the thought of her beneath him, and his muscles seized in rage at the thought of her beneath any other man.

“God in heaven have mercy!” Percy stormed.

“Percival Hardy, you tell me what that was, and you tell me right now.”

Percy felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck and a longing pull in his groin as he heard Madeleine’s voice. Even angry, it was as alluring as a siren’s song, and his body immediately tried to move closer toward it.

“Lady Madeleine,” he stated, forcing his tone to be indifferent, “whatever are you doing out here unaccompanied? I shall have to speak with your other suitor about his poor attempt at chivalry.”

Madeleine’s eyes were bright with contempt, and even so, he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. He gripped his reins tighter, forcing himself not to give in to it.

“Do not lay blame on another for your poor behavior,” Madeleine shot back.

“Donotspeak to me so frankly in front of others,” he retorted.

Though as he rose his eyes to find a person to make his point, he found the street empty of nobles. It seemed everyone else that mattered was still inside.

“You think I would do such a thing?” she asked, and in that moment, he despised her ability to be more rational than him.

“You risk a great deal coming out here,” he retorted. “Just because you snuck away so successfully, it does not mean sneaking back in will go the same. Go. Now.”

Madeleine only glowered at him then shifted her feet into a more rooted stance. Her bullish response only made him want her more, and he gritted his teeth in annoyance.

“Come on, then,” he whispered, capturing her arm.

He sent up a prayer of thanks that she did not argue with him as he pulled her into an alley where he knew a back door to the opera house lay. He would send her through there when they were finished speaking and hopefully no one would be the wiser.

“You have been estranged,” Madeleine stated as soon as they turned the corner.

“I have been appropriate,” he countered then narrowed his eyes at her. “Perhaps you should try it.”

Her brows flew up.

“How was your touch on my neck and hand appropriate? How is demanding a kiss from me to seal our deal appropriate, My Lord? Pray, tell me.”

His jaw ticked as her fiery response forced the flames in his veins to grow hotter. He loved her like this, as much as he wanted to deny it. He loved the challenge, loved the way she seemed to be able to put him in his place.

“I am not here to argue with you about propriety,” Madeleine went on before he could form a response. “I am here to demand answers. We have a ruse to put on, and you only acting like a suitor in private does neither of us any favors. So, I ask you, why perform these acts of intimacy when we are alone, but then treat me as a stranger in public where such acts matter?”

How was he to answer?