He took a few moments to indulge in the sight of her beauty. Just being near Regina brought out his protective nature, though she knew nothing of his feelings. If anything, he’d done his best to drive her away, to ensure that she never suspected the truth.
It was safer if she didn’t like him at all.
When she glanced up, her eyes met his. Dalton winked, knowing it would make her blush. And indeed, it did. His conscience warned him to leave her alone, but when had he ever listened to good sense? Instead, he crossed the ballroom to stand before her. He bowed lightly. ‘Lady Regina.’
‘Lord Camford.’ She gave a slight nod of acknowledgement but said nothing else, not even looking at him. He didn’t speak for a time, simply enjoying her nearness. Her skin smelled of flowers and a hint of rose. What he wouldn’t give to press his mouth against that silken skin.
When he continued to stand before her, at last she enquired, ‘Was there something you wanted?’
Aye. He wanted her. Preferably upon a bed, wearing nothing except a smile. But since he couldn’t actually say that, he remarked, ‘I heard that Lachlan is coming to London within a fortnight.’
‘He is, yes.’ The flush deepened across her cheeks, and he didn’t know what that meant. Was she happy about it? Or afraid?
Jealousy speared his gut, and Dalton waited for her to say more. When she didn’t continue, he couldn’t stop himself from asking, ‘Are you happy about the betrothal?’
She didn’t answer at first. But when he studied her expression, he saw a hint of sadness. He couldn’t quite understand what that meant, but he wanted to believe she held reservations about the marriage.
And yet, what good was it, even if it were true? It wasn’t as if she would transfer her affections to him.
Eventually, she answered, ‘The laird hasn’t asked me to wed him yet, though it’s what my father wants.’
‘And what is it that you want, Lady Regina?’
She stiffened. ‘I want to be left alone. By everyone.’ Her mouth tightened, and she added, ‘I would like nothing better than to be away from London and the rest of the world.’
‘Shipwrecked upon an island?’ he suggested.
That did soften her frustration. ‘That sounds wonderful.’ A slight smile curved at her lips. ‘With nothing but sand and seashells all around me.’
He didn’t tell her that it sounded lonely or that he wished he could be in a place like that with her. Instead, he changed the subject. ‘Sadly, there is no sand to be found here. But we could stroll around the room and avoid everyone, if you like.’
She placed her hand on his arm. ‘I suppose.’
As promised, he kept to the edges of the room and took the conversation lead, allowing her to relax. He spoke in a continuous stream about this person and that, so she wouldn’t have to speak unless she wanted to. A few moments later, a gentleman stepped in front of them. He couldn’t recall the man’s name, but Dalton thought he was a baron or a knight.
‘You’d better be careful, Camford,’ the man remarked. With a glance towards Dalton’s arm where Lady Regina’s hand rested, he added, ‘Your fingers might freeze off.’ He laughed heartily at his own remark and then stepped aside. Dalton considered shoving the man against the wall and bloodying his nose, but Regina pressed her fingers against his arm and shook her head, leading him past the man.
‘Ignore him,’ she said softly. ‘It’s nothing I’m not already used to.’
Dalton’s mood darkened, for she deserved better than to be treated so cruelly. ‘He has no right to speak of you in that way.’
She raised an eyebrow at the insult and shrugged. ‘I refused to let him pay a call on me. He’s only bitter.’
‘He wasn’t good enough for you.’
She shrugged. ‘I saw no reason to let him believe he had a chance at marrying me.’
‘Because of Lachlan?’ he asked quietly.
‘He was only interested in my dowry. I’ve known many men like him. They’re all the same.’ She kept her gaze fixed ahead, but he touched her fingers lightly with his gloved hand.
‘You don’t want to be married, do you?’ he said. He didn’t truly expect her to answer, but she surprised him when she did.
‘No.’ Her voice was soft, with a fearful edge. ‘But I have no choice.’
An invisible pain seemed to cloak her, and he couldn’t stop the surge of protectiveness that rose over him. When he’d first met her, she had been adventurous and bold, throwing rocks into the loch to see how far they would go. But now, all that had changed.
He wanted to demand who had done this to her. Who had stolen her smile and her confidence? But he had no right to confront her.
‘Why do you have to wed?’
‘It is my father’s wish,’ was all she would say. ‘I know my duty, however, and I will obey.’ Beneath her dejected tone, he sensed fear. And though he could do nothing to assuage her sorrow, he could offer a distraction.
‘Dance with me, Lady Regina,’ he said quietly. He wanted a forbidden moment to hold her in his arms.
‘Lord Camford, I must decline. I’ve no wish to dance just now.’ Her voice was heavy, as if she had the weight of the world pressing down on her.
He hated seeing her in pain, and he wanted to see an emotional response other than the resignation in her eyes. Even anger was better.
