Page 132 of Snowbound Surrender

“May I ask whose visage you carry inside?”

Her cheeks turned pink, and his heart seemed to stop as suddenly the pieces of the puzzle began to fit themselves together. She must love another. That was why she hadn’t wanted to meet him, to marry him, why she pushed him away. She was?—

“My mother’s.”

He let out a sigh of relief at the error in his assumption.

“Have you always worn it?” he asked.

“Since I left home,” she said. “We are close. Closer than most mothers and daughters, I would say.”

“I suppose that may be because you have no other siblings,” he said, trying to do all he could to learn more about her.

“I am all she has,” she said, biting her lip.

“Well, your father is with her,” he said helpfully and was shocked at the dark look that passed over Scarlett’s face.

“That just makes things worse,” she muttered.

“Pardon me?” he asked, wondering if he had heard her correctly.

“Nothing.”

“Your parents are not agreeable with one another?” They wouldn’t be the only couple of thetonto not be amiable, that was for certain. Yet he hadn’t sensed any ill will at the wedding.

“They get along fine,” she said, her posture stiff. “As my father also does with his mistress and other ladies, while my mother waits at home for him — the man she loves — to return to her.”

Hunter was speechless, and Scarlett brought a hand to her hair, beginning to worry a strand that framed her face in response to his astonishment. He closed his jaw.

“I shouldn’t have said that.” Her words came out in a rush. “Forget I mentioned anything about it. My apologies. I’ve ruined dinner, and it hasn’t even started. My parents are fine.”

He sat there staring at her, as suddenly it all began to make sense. Why she held him at arm’s length, why she hadn’t wanted to marry. She didn’t want to end up like her mother. She was like a wounded dog, lashing out to protect herself before another could hurt her even worse.

“Scarlett, I?—”

“I said I do not want to discuss it.” She picked up her wine and took a long swallow.

“Very well,” he said softly. “It must be difficult to be away from your mother now.”

Scarlett’s lashes fell, hiding her eyes.

“It is,” she said. “I do visit, though, as she is less than a half day’s ride away.”

“Do you plan on seeing her soon?”

“I had thought to leave for a visit when you depart for London.”

“Ah,” he said, and the conversation died between them. Finally, he added, “I expect I will leave tomorrow after I visit some of my tenants and meet with Stone.”

“Oh!” she exclaimed, her eyes flying up to meet his at his words. “You have decided to look further into what I have told you of, then?”

“I have looked at the general ledgers,” he said cautiously. “I must do more investigating before I can accuse Stone of anything. I really don’t think there is any cause for concern, though, Scarlett. The man has been with my family for years.”

“Then his word is worth more than your wife’s?”

He took a deep breath as he tried to keep his patience.

“I am going to visit them, tomorrow, Scarlett, does that mean nothing to you?”