Page 31 of Ruby in the Rough (Heiress #4)

Chapter

Thirty-One

C ordelia wanted to believe everything that Christian was telling her. She’d never heard him speak so before, so full of passion and determination.

Part of her heart wanted to yield, to let his words sink deep and soothe the ache. A small, niggling voice whispered that what he said was true. And of course it could be. His mistress may have spontaneously reached out for help, knowing he was possibly the only person she could trust.

Still, the vision of them together burned in her mind like a brand.

But her sister’s words—to listen, to give him an opportunity to explain—floated through her thoughts.

Ravensmere certainly believed Christian spoke the truth and, in turn, it seemed so too did Rosalind.

Although they would, of course, support whatever choice she made, their faith in him weighed on her.

Could she forgive him? Believe what he was saying?

She studied him in the shadowed carriage, his earnest face partially lit by the faint glow of passing lanterns and Mayfair townhouses. His eyes locked on hers, full of fear and longing. God help her, she had never seen him so undone, so stripped of his usual composure.

She fought the urge to reach out and clasp his jaw, to simply drink in the sight of him. That she had been so very angry and hurt was not so easy to move past, even if, right at this moment, she could scarcely summon the strength to remain furious.

Not to mention the amount of champagne she had enjoyed was impinging on her ability to think clearly.

“How do I know that you’re not just saying everything I want to hear?

” she asked softly, trying to pull her hands from his grip unsuccessfully.

“I wanted a love match, and you knew that. How do I know that you’re not now telling me you love me merely to coax me back home and stop any possibility of scandal? ”

“Because I do love you,” he said, voice rough with resolve.

“I adore you. I wanted to tell you so badly that morning after the Kenworthy’s ball when I couldn’t sleep.

I wish I had declared myself then, because now there is no way for me to speak these words without seeming false.

But I swear, on your family and mine, that I love you.

I’ve fallen in love with you and do not wish for the sort of marriage I espoused but weeks ago.

I did not think anyone could change how I felt, but I seem to be mistaken.

Please, Cordelia, please believe me. I cannot live without you. ”

Tears blurred her vision, and she fought not to cry. “I want to believe you, but I keep seeing you holding your mistress.”

He nodded, slumping against the squabs. “She will not be admitted again. And if you wish to speak to our butler to confirm that I initially sent her away, you may. Mr. Arthur will not lie for me or anyone. His word is true.”

“I suppose Jane also thinks that I should forgive you.” Her voice trembled faintly.

“There is nothing to forgive, truly,” Christian replied. “I did not touch her willingly. I only want you to warm my bed, and if you do not come home I do not know what I shall do—other than pick you up, hoist you over my shoulder, and carry you across Mayfair to Berkeley Square.”

Cordelia’s lips twitched despite herself. “You would not dare.”

He grinned, a shadow of his usual arrogance slipping through.

“I would dare, if it meant that you came back to me. I am sorry my actions in the ton made you feel abandoned, and that what you witnessed led you to believe I had reverted to the man I was months ago. I will attend every ball and dinner leading up to the end of the Season. I shall dance every dance, and from this day forward, I will do everything in my power to make you trust me again. To love me as I love you. Please, Cordelia,” he begged, his voice breaking.

“Be my friend, my lover, my wife once more.”

She stared into his green eyes, her heart caught in the chasm between anger and longing. She weighed everything—the image burned into her mind against the man before her, so raw and pleading, against her sister’s counsel, and Ravensmere’s unspoken faith in him.

She could not continue like this, in limbo, drowning in her own doubts.

Cordelia sighed, the sound weary but softer than before.

“I’m willing to move on from what occurred, but you must promise me that you’ll never see that woman again, and that you’ll do everything you’ve agreed to.

I want to attend events with you. I want us to be a united front, and I’ve hated these past two days as much as you, though for completely different reasons.

“I felt like I wasn’t enough,” she whispered, glancing away.

“Similar to how my mother often believed. That I had lost my chance at a love match. I was so angry and upset—at you and at myself for making a choice I feared had been wrong after walking in on you with her…” Cordelia drew a calming breath, feeling the tension of the past days slowly unwind.

“I do love you,” she admitted. “I think I probably started to fall a little under your spell when you comforted me at the Weston ball. Perhaps I ought to suggest you stop being so gallant. It only ends badly, for you, at least.”

He chuckled, a deep, warm sound, and she grinned despite herself. “I will remember that sound advice.”

Cordelia slipped her arms around his neck and leaned against his chest, the steady beat of his heart against hers. “See that you do, Your Grace. I do not wish to quarrel with you again.”

“Nor I.” He leaned forward and took her lips in a kiss that stole her heart entirely. The kiss was slow, seductive dance toward a future they both wanted and believed in. She lost herself in his arms and the troubling past days crumbled away and a new path opened for them both.

A journey they would make together.

Forever.