“What I did to you was unforgivable. I took your virtue, and I offered you nothing.”
“Don’t be silly. You didn’t take anything. I gave it to you, and I wouldn’t change a minute of it, Cameron.” Again the words stung her, despite their truth.
“Cam. Call me Cam.”
“I don’t think that’s appropriate, given the—”
“Please.” He took the cloth from her, tossed it on the floor, and gently fanned his fingers over her cheek.
He was going to kiss her. She saw it, felt it, wanted it. “Don’t do this,” she said, her eyes misting. “Please don’t.”
“Just one.” He lowered his lips to hers.
As their mouths glided together, a sob caught in Rose’s throat. She tried to pull away, but he put his arms around her, crushing her to him, as he coaxed her lips apart with his silken tongue. She closed her eyes and let her heart take over her mind, joining in the kiss and searching him, tasting him, relishing the spicy sweetness of his mouth. She ran her tongue over his teeth, his lips, caught his lower lip in her teeth and bit it gently. He moaned, shuddering against her body, nibbling on her neck her throat, her ears.
“Rose,” he breathed softly. “My Rose.”
His language startled her. She broke away forcefully. “Don’t do this to me. It’s not fair. I’m not your Rose.”
A tear trickled slowly down her cheek. Cameron wiped it away with the softest touch of his finger.
“I’m so sorry.”
“You didn’t want me, remember? I offered myself to you completely, without condition, and you rejected me.”
“Rose…”
“I gave you my virtue, Cameron, and more importantly, I gave you my love. I don’t regret it, but I won’t let you hurt me again.”
She ran from the cabin, her eyes blinded by her tears, until she crashed into a wall.
Rose wiped her eyes with her fingers. The wall was Cameron’s mother. “Mrs. Price. I’m sorry. I don’t know what is the matter with me. I didn’t see you.”
“Cam is in the cabin, isn’t he?” Mrs. Price said.
“What?”
“You were with him, weren’t you?”
“I…yes, he’s there.”
“My lady,” Mrs. Price said softly, but harshly, “I know that you are the duchess’s sister, and we are living on Lybrook land, but I have to ask you not to return to our home.”
“Pardon?”
“I know Kat is fond of you, and you of her, but your presence here… It is harmful to Cameron. He is hurting, and I can’t allow it to continue.”
“He is hurting?”
“Yes. He fancies himself in love with you. He’ll get over it, but not if you keep coming around here, rubbing his nose in it.”
“But Mrs. Price, I never—”
“I’m sorry, but that is my final word on the matter. I want you to go back to the estate now. I’ll make excuses for you to Kat and Tricia.”
“I can’t—”
“That is all, my lady. Now I must see to my son.” Mrs. Price walked away briskly.