‘Or you could stand there, feeling sorry for yourself and being melancholy.’
Her blue eyes flashed with irritation. ‘I am not feeling sorry for myself.’
That was better. At least now, she was no longer caught up in her misery. He regarded her and slipped into a Scottish brogue. ‘Aye, you are, lass.’ He deliberately exaggerated the words, though he’d lived in England most of his life. His mother was a distant cousin of the MacKinlochs, and he had spent many summers in the Highlands. To his father’s chagrin, Dalton had embraced his rebellious Scottish ancestry.
She tightened her mouth in a line and remarked, ‘If you’re trying to cheer me up, it’s not working.’
‘There are three gentlemen approaching us,’ he said quietly. ‘Your father is one of them. The other two will ask you to dance, and when you refuse, your father will force you to pick one of them. Is that what you’re wanting?’
She glared at him. ‘Fine. I’ll dance with you once. But in return, I want you to leave me alone for the rest of the night.’
Even in anger, she was stunning. Her blue eyes flashed with annoyance, and he hardly cared at all. Were it possible, he would steal her away from this ballroom and indulge in his own improper fantasies.
Instead, Dalton offered his arm and led her towards the dance floor. ‘God forbid if you were to enjoy yourself.’
She took her place across from him and curtsied as he bowed. ‘You are not very nice, Camford.’
‘No. I’m verra wicked.’
Regina took his hand as he spun her around in the country dance, a false smile pasted on her face. ‘Being wicked is not something to boast about.’
‘I don’t suppose you’ve ever done anything wicked in your life,’ he teased. His words struck a nerve, and her expression grew stricken. He immediately regretted what he’d said and took it back. ‘My apologies. I didn’t mean to offend you.’
‘You didn’t. It’s nothing.’ She took his hand, and this time, he studied her expression. There was vulnerability in her eyes, and he wanted to know what had happened to cause the pain. She had her secrets and the inner thoughts she hid from everyone else.
Although he’d known Regina for years, he had been careful to keep his distance, maintaining the boundary of friendship when he’d travelled to London. But as the years went on, he’d spent more and more time in Scotland, avoiding his responsibilities.
Dalton touched his hand to hers as they turned in a slow circle. ‘After the dance is over, I will keep my bargain and leave you in peace. But if you should like to be rescued from a gentleman who is bothering you, simply close your fan and place it by your side. I will find a reason to make him leave.’
Her expression turned amused. ‘And what reason would you have to help me?’
‘Because that’s what friends do.’ He kept his tone light, though he wanted to be far more than her friend. Regina was a beautiful woman, and he’d never forgotten her kindness after his brother’s death.
The dance ended, and he bowed. As he escorted her back to her father, he rested his hand upon the small of her back, savouring the forbidden touch. She was the sort of woman his brother might have married, had Brandon lived. And though a part of him wanted her still, he knew better than to think it would ever happen. It was only a matter of time before her engagement to Lachlan became official. And what kind of man tried to steal his best friend’s fiancée? A traitor, that’s who.
Let her go, his mind warned.
But as he walked away, he knew just how difficult that would be.
Three days later
‘Are you ready, Regina?’ Ned Crewe, the Earl of Havershire, held out his gloved hand. For an older man, her father looked rather dashing. His beaver hat covered his dark hair, which was slightly tinged with grey. He wore a black coat, waistcoat, and tan breeches, along with Hessian boots.
‘I suppose,’ she replied. ‘Though I would much rather remain inside.’ Her father had suggested a walk, in order to converse privately. She didn’t know why he wanted her to discuss the night when she had been attacked—it was a memory she preferred to forget.
‘Unfortunately, there are too many eavesdroppers if we are at home.’
They continued down the stone stairs, walking in silence through the streets. The earl led her towards a secluded pathway in the direction of the Serpentine, and once they were completely alone, her father’s expression turned grim. ‘I know you would rather not speak of this. But I need you to try to remember what you saw that night. Or whether anyone else saw it. It’s important, Regina.’
She didn’t understand why it mattered. ‘It happened nearly five years ago. It’s over and done with. No one knows about it, except us.’
His discerning gaze reached beneath the surface of her courage, and she looked away. ‘You’re still afraid.’
Of course, she was afraid. She had faced her attacker and had barely survived. The memories were scarred inside her mind, and now, the very thought of being close to a man terrified her.
‘I have every reason to be afraid,’ she shot back. ‘But I live with it, just as you do.’ He had been there that night and had helped her cover up the truth. If anyone had learned about the attack, her name would have been ruined, and worse, her father would have been implicated. Thus far, they had kept everything hidden for years. And the last thing she wanted was to dredge up the horrifying memories.
‘I wish I could have protected you better.’ His words were an apology, but they couldn’t change the past. ‘But I will do everything in my power to keep you safe now. It’s why I need to know if you saw anything.’
‘Did something happen? Did anyone say anything to you?’
Her father sighed. ‘Just...try to remember. Was
