“You know nothing of my life, and I did not say that it was trying, but until you’ve walked in my shoes, Mr. Dillinger, do not judge me.”
If he’d not known she was the daughter of an earl, that moment would have changed it. Her chin elevated further, and she looked down her nose at him, not an easy feat considering he was many inches taller. The full weight of her long line of illustrious ancestors was now at her back.
“I have apologized for my actions, and that was always my intention. Good day to you, sir.”
She turned and began to walk away from him. Daniel watched the sway of her skirts for two seconds, then followed. He shouldn’t; in fact, he should be running fast in the opposite direction. She was angry with him, and that was a good thing. He should end this madness right now.
Reaching the end of the row, he increased his pace. Grabbing her arm, he urged her behind a small outbuilding that was away from prying eyes.
“I’m sorry. I was rude to you, and that was never my intention, my lady. It was a shock to find out who you were, and yes, I was angry you lied to me. Betrayed, even. But we all have secrets, and I had no right to hurt you. I am never usually deliberately cruel, Lady Abigail. I may not have been born a gentleman, but I try to be so when a lady is near.”
She was close now, so close he could smell her, and her scent was more alluring than any bloom around them.
“You are more of a gentleman than many I know. You called me Abby the other night, will you not do so now?”
“It would not be right.”
“Yes, we must do what is right.” She dropped her gaze. “Good day to you, Mr. Dillinger.”
“What is it you want from me?” He gripped her arms. “You lied to me. This… whatever is between us, will not continue. It cannot.”
“But you wish for there to be something between us?” Her eyes were intent and focused on his.
“No, my lady, that can never be.”
“I wish for you to call me Abby.” She whispered the words. “Wish it with all of my heart, Daniel. I-I… with you I feel different.”
“Abby, you can’t speak to me that way.” His words came out a moan. “We can no longer have anything to do with each other. I am a nobody.”
“You are somebody!” she snapped. “You are strong and intelligent, and you are funny, and there is much, much more. You are not a nobody.” Her eyes fired with anger.
Daniel had nothing to smile about in that moment—the first woman he’d experienced emotion for was a bloody earl’s daughter—and yet he did smile. She was defending him so vehemently from himself.
“Thank you for your words, but I am a coal miner’s son. I am not fit for you to walk on, my lady.”
She moved a step closer to him, her eyes locked on his.
“Birth does not necessarily equate to being noble, Daniel. You have more honor and integrity in you than many.”
“You know nothing about me. My past—”
“I know that you were kind and gentle with me. I know you shared a small part of yourself with me. That night I spent with you was more than I could ever have hoped to experience with a man. I am governed by rules, Daniel. I cannot step a foot in any direction for fear I will be disgraced or hauled back into line by my brothers. You simply allowed me to be who I am that night.”
“Abby,” Daniel warned as she stepped closer still, and yet had he wanted to move, he could have. However, in that moment he did not seem to have command of his legs.
“Daniel.” She whispered his name. So close now, he could see the small scar at the corner of her eye. “I miss you.”
“How can that be so when we are strangers.” His eyes ran over her face, mapping the delicate curve of a cheek and line of her nose.
“I did not lie about many things. I do like music and listening to Eros, and my favorite color is rose pink. I love apple sponge, and my favorite time of day is sunrise.”
“And yet you did not tell me you were an earl’s daughter.”
“I wanted to.”
“You are so beautiful.” He cupped her cheek. Gloveless, he was able to feel the heat of her skin. “Abby.” Her name was a sigh. He gave up the fight then and kissed her, and he knew instantly that he’d just made a grave error in judgement.
The last time he’d kissed her had been special, but they had both not been gripped by the furious emotion they now felt. The hopelessness of their position had not been pulling at them.
Her hands clutched the lapels of his jacket as she held him close. He stroked a hand down her spine, pressing her into his body. Her scent intoxicated him, and he felt his willpower wane. He grasped that thought and held it close. Fought through the waves of heat to find reason.
This can never be.
“Forgive me.” He dropped his hands and stepped back. “I should not have done that.”
“I wanted you to.” Her eyes held a soft expression that he identified as yearning because he felt the same way.
“You shouldn’t want me to.”
“I can’t help what I want, Daniel.”
“This can never happen again. You’re an earl’s daughter, and I am a coal miner’s son.” He said the words to make her understand that there could be nothing between them.
“And therefore you are beneath me?”
“Don’t be a fool, Abby. Of course I am.”
“I have never been a fool.” The words had a snap to them now.
She was beguiling in so many ways, and
