Regina closed her eyes, trying to calm her fears.
You have to tell him, her conscience warned. He needs to know the truth.
As she reached for a green gown, she willed the thoughts away. He could only know part of the truth—otherwise, it would ruin everything.
Being married to Regina but being unable to touch her was slowly killing him. Dalton had kept his promise, but he longed for more. This woman had twined herself into his life, and he desired her with a desperate need. But he was resolved not to touch her until her fears receded. She had taken his hand twice yesterday, and it gave him hope that she was starting to feel more comfortable around him.
He hadn’t realised how the loneliness had crept into his life until now. The house felt different with her here, as if she could somehow silence the ghosts that haunted him. Her smile gave him hope, and he didn’t want to lose that. If that meant upholding the boundaries and the closed doors, so be it.
Dalton waited for her in the dining room, and when she arrived, he greeted her. ‘Good morning.’
‘Good morning.’ Her red hair was pinned up, and she wore one of his mother’s morning gowns in a shade of deep green. It brought out the blue in Regina’s eyes, and though the gown was slightly loose and a little short, she was lovely. ‘Will we go riding today?’
‘We will. My grandfather lives a short distance from here, and I thought we could pay him a call.’
She sat at the table and chose a piece of toast to go with her egg. ‘Why doesn’t he live here, in this house? You said he owns the land.’
‘His memory is failing him, and he grew overwhelmed by all the space. He lives with a caretaker in a small house, and it’s easier for him.’ Dalton sat across from her at the table and tapped into his soft-boiled egg.
‘I look forward to meeting him.’
There was a silence that descended as they ate. He tried to think of what else to say, but she appeared lost in thought.
Then a moment later, she continued, ‘But perhaps it’s best if you do not tell him of our false marriage. We wouldn’t want to upset him needlessly.’
Though her words were intended as compassion, it underscored a truth he didn’t want to face.
She doesn’t want to be married to you. This isn’t real or permanent.
He revealed none of his thoughts or emotions, locking away his feelings. Her pity was the last thing he needed.
One of the footmen arrived and cleared his throat. ‘My lord, the...um...wedding gift you requested has arrived.’
The man’s timing couldn’t have been worse. Dalton merely gave a nod and pretended as if the footman hadn’t spoken. But Regina set down her fork. ‘What wedding gift?’
‘It’s nothing,’ he said. ‘I shouldn’t have sent for it.’
But he’d caught her curiosity now, and she asked, ‘May I see it?’ He shrugged, and she continued, saying, ‘I’m so sorry I have nothing for you in return.’
‘It’s all right.’ He wanted to say that being married to her was his gift. Simply seeing her each day, being with her, meant everything. But he held back the words, not wanting to seem desperate.
‘Is there something you want?’ she ventured. ‘Something I can give to you?’
The words were innocent, but they awakened a storm within him. He couldn’t tell her what he wanted, and he wasn’t about to risk frightening her.
She stood from her chair and chose the seat beside him. ‘Dalton?’
He met her gaze, letting her see the full force of his desire. His fingers dug into his chair to keep from reaching for her.
Her blue eyes were staring at him, and he didn’t miss her uncertainty. She looked like a deer, caught by the hunter, waiting to flee. And yet, she held steady, watching him.
‘I’ll give the gift to you after breakfast,’ he promised. It was her invitation to go.
But instead, she reached to his face and rested her hand upon his cheek. Softly, she bent down and touched her lips to his. A yearning rushed through him, and he caught her hand, holding it. He wanted her touch everywhere, against his bare skin, exploring and caressing him. He was iron hard with need, but he managed to gather his control again.
‘Regina, don’t,’ he warned, rising to his feet.
His words humiliated her, and she turned scarlet. ‘I’m sorry.’ She tried to pull away, but he held her hand steady, bringing it to his chest.
‘You said you wanted this to be temporary, and I am doing everything I can to grant that wish. But I want more.’
He didn’t know if she could feel his heart racing. ‘I’m trying to give you that freedom of choice.’ With her hand in his, he leaned in so that her mouth was a breath away. ‘But unless you want this to become a permanent marriage, don’t offer me anything at all. Because I’ll take everything.’
Her eyes widened in shock, but she held her ground. ‘You don’t want a woman like me, Dalton. I’m trying to do the right thing by not trapping you into marriage. I know I’ll have to let you go.’
‘Why?’
She shook her head, avoiding an answer. ‘It’s in the past, and I won’t speak of it. But be assured, you don’t want to be married to me.’ With reluctance, she lowered her hands to her sides.
He realised that he was starting to crack the surface of her fears. ‘What happened to you, Regina?’
She stiffened at his nearness. ‘It’s in the past, and there it will stay.’
Her fear was palpable, and he didn’t press for more. ‘If that’s what you want.’ Though he wanted to hold her, to reassure her, he stepped away instead. She appeared miserable, and he steeled himself not to show a reaction.
Instead, he checked his pocket watch. ‘We should go and meet Grandfather. He’ll be wanting to see you.’ Her face remained worried, but he thought
