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With a slight tilt, David hit the aching spot within her, and her world exploded. Her euphoric scream dried out her throat and left her head spinning.

David frantically thrust into her another time before following with his own orgasm.

Her legs relaxed, but she refused to let him roll off her. “Please, David. Not just yet.”

She cringed. She tried to keep the desperation out of her voice. Just as quickly as her orgasm hit her, so did the reality that whatever they had between them was over.

David said nothing. His body molded to hers, letting their skin touch in the most intimate and vulnerable way for just a little longer. He placed soft kisses on her throat and then on her cheek, where his mouth met a lonely tear.

He sighed. “I’m sorry, Jenny. I?—”

Jenny vigorously shook her head. “No. Please, don’t. I can’t hear how we cannot be together. Not now. Not after… not after…” Her breath hitched in her throat, and she sniffled.

He rested his forehead on hers, before placing one last kiss there and rolling off her.

The cool air hit Jenny’s body, making her shiver. David rose from the bed and collected his clothes. “Stay here. I’ll go get a towel and some water.” His voice was void of emotion, which hurt her even more.

Jenny silently shook her head, wiping the tears that were falling faster now.

David walked out into the hallway, leaving the door slightly ajar. Jenny looked around the room, feeling bereft and more heartbroken than ever. She had intended to come here to putthis arrangement behind her, but it only made her realize she was in love with him.

She looked at the door. She couldn’t face him again. She couldn’t handle saying goodbye.

She scrambled out of his bed, collecting her clothes as quickly as she could. Through her blurry vision, she threw her dress and shoes on, then stuffed her stockings in her coat pocket.

With a quick look up and down the hallway, she sprinted down the steps and towards the front door.

As she ran out the door, she heard her name being called out, followed by the sound of glass shattering.

CHAPTER 19

“You look beautiful, Jenny. Doesn’t she look beautiful, Thomas?”

Frances was trying, unsuccessfully, to tame the curls that refused to stay in place on Jenny’s head.

Thomas looked at his sister. “She looks sick.”

Frances gasped, horrified, and swatted at her husband. Thomas dodged her hand right before it made contact with his shoulder.

“What? Look at her. You didn’t look green when you married me.”

Frances and Thomas both narrowed their eyes at Jenny, who was currently staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror.

She heard what they were saying, but she didn’t care. Thomas was right, she did look sick. If anything, she wasn’t appalled by his comment, but grateful. At least someone was being honest about how ridiculous this all was.

Jenny kept telling herself this wedding was what she wanted. She even wrote in her journal that whatever was between her and David was over and she would eventually get over it. She just had to put one foot in front of the other. Only, today her steps were weighed down with regret and longing.

“Jenny?” Frances’s motherly tone got her attention. “Drink some water, love, you do look a little pale.”

“And green,” Thomas piped up.

“Thomas!” Frances scolded.

Jenny couldn’t help herself. The corner of her mouth quirked up. No matter how her life turned out, she was grateful she had those two in her corner. No matter how much they drove each other, and her, crazy.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and her maid entered.

“The carriage is here, Miss.”