A moment of silence met her comment before he said, “I’m off to speak with a barrister.”
That caught her attention. She moved closer to the door, leaning one ear toward the hall. “Why?”
“I’m having a contract drawn up. I’ve every confidence it will help you to make up your mind.”
Oh dear. She twisted her hands together. She knew what she wanted to say. She wished to accept. But a night of thinking had solidified her thoughts. She was going to
say no. “I already know what my answer will be.”
“I think I’ll be able to change it.”
She let out a sigh. He knew by her absence that she was going to deny him and he was making a last effort to persuade her otherwise.
She should have been prepared for this. He was a man who pushed for his way. But she couldn’t back down. Not this time, even if part of her was tempted to open the door and see his face. “You won’t.”
She heard something thump against the wood.
“What was that?”
“My head. I thought it might help the ache.”
Sympathy coursed through her. “If I open the door do you promise not to kiss me?”
He didn’t answer at first and then she heard him shift. “I promise.”
Slowly, she turned the lock, allowing the door to swing open. She stepped back, letting him into the room.
He stepped in, his face pale and dark circles under his eyes.
She smiled a bit. “Silly man. Drinking yourself into such a state.”
He gave a small smile even as he walked into the room and tossed himself into a chair next to the fire. She grabbed the unused breakfast tray. “Let’s start with some tea. Shall we?”
Fifteen minutes later, he’d cleaned the contents of her breakfast tray and much of his color had returned. “I feel much better. Thank you.”
Cassandra had settled into the chair that sat a few feet from his. She looked into the fire, not wanting to break the companionable silence that had settled between them, but knowing that she needed him to understand. “You should stay and rest today rather than riding into the village.”
He leaned over and touched her chin, then gently turned her face toward his. “And see the barrister tomorrow?”
She shrugged, allowing one shoulder to rise up as Cassandra wrapped one hand about his wrist. “You know that isn’t what I meant.”
He leaned forward, stopping only inches from her face. “You should know I’m not a man who gives up easily.”
Oh. She knew. Which is why he needed to leave. She’d never survive the onslaught. “You have to.”
One of his eyebrows lifted and then his hand was gone as he stood. “Meet me for dinner this evening. Seven again? We’ve much to discuss.”
She stood too, her brow furrowing. “You’re not listening to me.”
“On the contrary.” His chest expanded, and he appeared an impregnable wall. “I have listened a great deal. In fact, I do believe it’s your turn to listen to me.”
Her mouth dropped open as she stared at him. He had her there. “But—”
“No buts. Dinner.” Then he turned and started out of the room. Then he spun back. “Unless you’d like to come with me. We could do some shopping after I’m done with the barrister. You’ll need a new wardrobe.”
The man was impossible. First, she was never going back to that shop and certainly not with him. But also, buying her clothes would mean that she had become his responsibility. Considering she’d just told him no, it was terribly presumptuous that he’d come out the victor. She placed her hands on her hips. “I won’t—”
He gave her an alarming grin. It was boyish and charming and made him look like an entirely different man. “You will. But it can wait for another time. I’ll see you tonight.”