Page 31 of Rogue of My Heart

Of course, she had. After she failed to get Matthew to the altar, she’d married the old man. Her reputation was in tatters and she had to do something to repair it. She was also penniless, and the old earl had given her a generous purse. “I suppose that is true.” He leaned down and when he was next to her ear he said, “Go home. You’re not welcome here.”

“Do not be ridiculous. I have an invitation.”

He lifted a brow. “I doubt that very much. The Marchioness of Blackthorn would not have sent an invite to a widow of less than a month. I think it is more likely you came with someone that did have one. Go find the fool you convinced to bring you, and leave, or I will have you removed.”

“Matthew,” she said in a sulky tone. “Is that anyway to talk to the woman you declared you would love forever? We can be together now.”

“I was a foolish boy,” he said in a dismissive tone. “I had no idea what real love was, and if I did, it died that day. I do not love you and we will never be together again. You are nothing to me.” He stood straight and searched the ballroom. His Cesca had left. No matter, he’d find her. “Now do I have to force you to leave or are you going to exit willingly?”

“All right I’ll leave,” she agreed. “But this isn’t over.”

“It is,” he said in a firm tone. “and if you ever harass Lady Francesca again, I’ll see you ruined, and unwelcome in society. She’s to be my wife and I protect what’s mine.”

She laughed. “Does the little bird know of your intentions?” She lifted a brow. “She didn’t seem to care if you want her or not.”

Matthew ignored her barb. It hit too close to the heart. He’d handled everything wrong with Cesca, and it was up to him to see it righted. Matthew would marry her, and once she was his wife, he’d have plenty of time to make it up to her. The hard part was gaining her agreement. “You know nothing.” He turned on his heels and left her alone. She’d leave if she knew what was good for her.

Matthew left the ballroom and went exploring the Weston townhouse. He’d been there before for balls, and admittedly found a few quiet areas to have some time alone with a lady or two. That was all part of his past. Francesca was his future, and he’d prove that to her. Where would she have gone?

He doubted she would have gone to her bedchamber or the lady’s retiring room. She seemed as if she wanted to be alone. Perhaps the library? There wasn’t a conservatory there. She could have gone to the private balcony. There were stairs on that one that led to the garden. She liked plants or he believed she did… It was a place to start.

He turned down a hall and then walked to the end of it, then slipped through a door. It was a small room off the balcony. He crossed over it to the doors to the balcony and stepped outside. She wasn’t on the balcony, but that did not mean she hadn’t gone out there. He went to the railing and glanced down. There was enough light from the moon to illuminate the garden. She sat on a bench near some rose bushes with her head tilted upward as if she were stargazing.

Matthew went down the stairs and headed toward her. When he reached her, she glanced at him and frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you.” He tilted his lips upward. “We need to talk.”

She scowled at him. “You’re going to ruin my night, aren’t you?”

He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. How could he have stayed away from her for so long. She was perfect, and the exact opposite of Edith. He’d been a fool for far too long. Mathew had made so many mistakes and it would take a while to correct them all. Some he might never be able to fix. “I hope not,” he said earnestly. “Will you listen to what I have to say?”

“Shouldn’t you go after Lady Briarton?” She lifted a brow “Apparently she’s ready to have you in her bed, or perhaps she hopes for marriage this time.”

“She always wanted marriage,” he said, then sighed. “She used me, and I was happy to let her. I don’t want her, and for a long time I didn’t want anyone.” He sat beside her and lifted her hand into his. “I do want you, and I always have. I was too afraid to trust my own judgement or know what I felt. Please let me have another chance with you. If not for me, then for our child. The baby deserves everything we both can give him.”

She lifted a brow. “Are you certain it’s a boy then?”

“That would make my mother happy.” He grinned. “She wants an heir.” Matthew shook his head. “No, I’m not certain of anything. I only want to make you and our child happy. Please let me do that.”

She glanced away from him and was silent for several heartbeats. “What do you want from me?”

“Marry me,” he said. “I have a special license and we can do the ceremony immediately. It’s the best solution.”

Cesca closed her eyes and then said in a quiet tone, “All right I’ll marry you.” Then she stood. “But I don’t want to see you anymore tonight. This is my last night as an unmarried lady, and I’m going to enjoy it.” With those words she turned and walked away from him.

Matthew had won this battle, but the war was far from over. She had agreed to marry him, but it was clear she didn’t accept there could be more between them than the baby they’d already created. He had a lot to make up for, and somehow convince her that they might find happiness together. If only he knew how to do that…

Seven

She still could not believe she had agreed to marry him. It was a good decision even if she felt as if she’d crumble at the slightest provocation. Her baby deserved to be born inside the bonds of matrimony. The child was innocent of any wrongdoing. If anyone should pay a price it should be her, or Matthew. It didn’t matter that he never said he loved her. He claimed to want her and that would have to be enough.

If she wasn’t already carrying his child, she might have held out for more. She didn’t have the luxury to wait for love. Perhaps over time, after they were married, he would come to love her. Fool that she was she already loved him. Francesca had since they first met. Something had snapped into place when she met him, and it had stayed with her.

He hadn’t said when the wedding would take place or where. She should go to see him and discuss it, but she couldn’t find the motivation to do so. It was as if once she did it would become more of a reality. Francesca was taking the cowardly way and waiting for him to come to her or contact her in some fashion.

“Lady Francesca,” the butler said. “This just arrived for you.”

He held a bouquet of flowers—a mix of wisteria and violets. They were beautiful and extravagant. They had to be from Matthew. Francesca hadn’t even tried to connect with any of the gentleman from her ball. Her only regret was that she’d never danced with Matthew. She should have insisted he signed her card, but she’d been too shocked by his proposal. He hadn’t seemed inclined to offer for her when she’d told him about her condition, and in the park, he’d been too consumed with his former love’s presence.