Scandal and the Runaway Bride (Heirs to an Empire 1)

“Not now.” He took the phone back and tucked it away. “Listen, look at this week as a vacation. The château is lovely and you have the run of it and the gardens. The library is packed with books. There’s a theater room with a huge movie selection. This’ll be over before you know it.”

And she’d be bored to tears. But as consequences went, she couldn’t complain. There were so many worse things than boredom.

So why did she feel like crying all of a sudden?

She looked away and sniffed, tried to keep her lower lip from wobbling. She wasn’t a crier and she definitely didn’t want to lose her grip in front of William, especially since she’d broken down briefly yesterday. And yet somehow the urge would not go away. A tear trembled on her lashes and snuck down her cheek.

“Gabi?” His voice was hesitant, surprised. “What’s wrong?”

How could she explain? There were so many emotions roiling around inside her she didn’t know where to start.

She sniffed again, but it was no use. Now that she’d started, she had the feeling she was going to have to cry it out and get it out of her system.

“What is it?” he said gently, and he put his hand over hers on the wicker armrest.

His fingers were warm and strong as they enveloped hers, and another emotion bloomed in her chest, adding on to the complicated feelings she was already battling. Oh, he shouldn’t be nice to her. This wouldn’t do at all. She had to keep the wall between them standing strong.

“I’m fine,” she tried, and sniffed again. Why wouldn’t her nose stop running?

He took his hand away, much to her relief, but it was short-lived as a moment later he held out a handkerchief.

She dabbed her eyes and nose and laughed a little. “Seriously? I didn’t think men carried these anymore.”

“Maman always insisted we have one for emergencies. It stuck. Comes in handy for damsels in distress, too.”

She dabbed again and met his gaze. Her eyes must be red now and the tip of her nose, too, but she didn’t care. “Despite all appearances to the contrary, I do not need to be rescued.”

“Good. I’m glad.” He put his hands on his knees. “It means you’re made of strong stuff. Stiff upper lip and all that.”

She chuckled. He sounded so perfectly English in that moment.

“Here,” he suggested, and topped up her glass. “Take an hour and let yourself feel what you need to. Drink wine. Soak in the garden. I’m sure you’ve got some thinking to do. And when you’re ready, come find me. We can talk about what comes next.”

He got up from the chair and prepared to leave.

“William?”

“Hmm?”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

His hazel gaze locked with hers, and that strange feeling came over her again. Ugh! If only she could have felt like this when Stephen looked at her, she wouldn’t be in this predicament!

“Because being a jerk rarely accomplishes anything. And because you nearly went through with a fake marriage to save your family. That’s brave. So was walking away from it. Don’t get me wrong, I was furious yesterday. It’s a hell of a mess to try to control, but I don’t think you did it maliciously. You’ve got a strong character, Gabi, and I respect that a lot.”

She was pretty sure her mouth was hanging open at this point. “I...thank you. I don’t really know how to respond to that. Except that I’m so glad you understand why I did what I did. I’m so sorry I’ve caused so much trouble.”

“Stephen bears some of the blame, too,” William replied. “And I’ve told him so. He didn’t like it.”

She laughed again despite herself. “No, he wouldn’t. He’s stubborn.” She sighed. “I’ve probably ruined any friendship we had. I regret that. Your brother is a very good man. There just weren’t any—”

She stopped abruptly. There was no way she was going to talk about sexual attraction with William. Not considering the way her pulse leaped every time he appeared.

“Sparks? Fireworks?” he filled in for her.

Her cheeks, which she imagined were already pink from crying, heated.

William laughed, presumably at her discomfiture. “No need to be shy now. And to be honest, I’m kind of glad to hear it.” He stepped away. “Enjoy your afternoon, Gabi.”