But now, she wanted to emerge from that shell, to begin making her own decisions again. And to do that, she needed time.
She tried to keep her voice gentle and calm. ‘Camford, please don’t force me into another marriage. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.’
His green eyes remained steady, but she saw the slight hurt within them. This marriage had been a heroic act, and she was grateful for it—but she could not let him believe that she would submit to him as a proper wife should.
‘In time, the gossip will die down,’ she said. ‘And it’s not truly necessary for me to remain in their social circles. I would be quite content not to return to London.’
His expression revealed that he didn’t believe that at all. ‘And what about my servants? What do you intend to tell them?’
She raised her chin. ‘Tell your staff whatever you wish. Let them believe we are married, if you like. But you and I will know the truth.’
It was evident that he didn’t agree with her at all, and he tried again, lightening his tone. ‘You were prepared to wed Lachlan in an arrangement. Why not do the same with me?’
Because it would never be the same with him. Every touch, every moment was heightened in his presence. Dalton St George was so very dangerous to her heart, for she could not remain indifferent. Even now, she was remembering the stolen kiss and the way it had moved her.
He tried again. ‘They’re naught but words spoken with a licence. We gave the words already. All we need is the legal paper.’
She couldn’t truly explain her reluctance, for she didn’t want him to know of her hidden feelings. All she knew was that marriage to this man would shatter the walls of ice she had so carefully erected. She wasn’t able to risk a true marriage. Not yet.
She took a breath and straightened in her seat. ‘I will gladly compensate you for the inconvenience of being your house guest for a while.’
‘You’re not a house guest.’ His voice turned dark, revealing his frustration. And she simply didn’t know how to ease his anger.
‘Yes, I am, Lord Camford. It’s all I can be.’ Her heart was pounding as she tried to maintain a brave front of prim behaviour. Year of behaving like a proper lady were her only weapon against this man. She still hadn’t forgotten his kiss, and there was no doubt that he wanted more.
For a long moment, he studied her. His gaze moved over her hair, to her face, and at last, he turned away. There was a grim tone in his voice and he said, ‘Very well. Then I swear, I won’t touch you again. You will be a house guest, nothing more.’
The words should have been reassuring. Instead, it felt like a judgement, and a sudden loneliness descended over her.
He is doing the right thing, her brain insisted. He’s behaving like a gentleman.
But I don’t know if I want him to be a gentleman any more, her heart answered.
She longed for the bold Highlander who had carried her away.
‘It has been a long day. I am so tired,’ she said. It was a temporary means of ceasing their argument, and she hoped he would understand.
‘Then lie down and rest,’ he offered. ‘I will let you know when we stop for the night.’
Regina curled up to try to sleep, though the coach was not at all comfortable. But as she started to close her eyes, she caught him staring at her as if he couldn’t quite believe what had happened this day.
Neither could she.
Dalton stopped the coach at an inn later that night and bought food for everyone to eat. Regina’s demeanour held tension, and he knew she was nearly at her breaking point. Her refusal to have a true marriage with him had been clear enough. She didn’t want him and never had. It felt as if she’d sliced him in half, ripping his heart from his chest.
You’re not the man she wants. You never will be.
His pride ached, and he forced the pain away. He had known it was a risk to steal her away from the wedding, but a part of him had hoped that she might allow him to court her. Now he knew that would never happen. She wanted to be a damned house guest, not a wife.
So be it. He would take her to Scotland with him, and she could do as she pleased until the threat of the blackmailer was resolved. He would lock away his own feelings and never bother her.
‘Will you take me to my room?’ she asked Dalton softly. ‘I would like to eat alone.’
Given how crowded the inn was, he could understand her wishes. But he hadn’t yet told her that there was only one room available. And he didn’t know where he would stay if she refused to let him share the space. Which, undoubtedly, she would.
Instead, Dalton gave a nod and took the tray of food from the innkeeper’s wife. He led Regina upstairs before he unlocked the door and set the food down on the table inside. She was eyeing him as if she intended to dismiss him from her presence. Instead, he sat down in the other chair. ‘Do you mind if I share a meal with you before I go?’
Her shoulders relaxed as she took a chair on the opposite side of the tiny table. ‘Of course not.’
Dalton dipped a piece of bread into the hot stew and devoured it. He hadn’t realised how hungry he was until now. ‘I suppose we should have taken some food from the wedding feast,’ he said. ‘I’m starving.’
‘I think you were too busy carrying
