Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

Blythe tapped the letter on the palm of her hand. “I should.”

Mercy stilled her tapping. “Would you rather read them alone? We can leave you if you’d prefer.”

Blythe glanced across the room. Leopold and Edwin were using small blocks of sawn wood to build towers together. It looked to be great fun and she didn’t want to disturb them. “You stay, and I’ll go. It’s been a hectic day and I might retire early. I’ll read and answer these before I go to bed. Good night, Mercy.”

“Good night, Blythe. Sleep well.”

Blythe collected her letters, said goodnight to Edwin and Leopold and hurried upstairs. But as she crossed the threshold of her chamber, her resolve sank as if made of lead. She didn’t want to read Emma’s note alone. She was afraid of what her friend was going to say about Lord Archibald’s proposal.

“I know you said we shouldn’t be alone anymore, but lock the door behind you, B.”

Blythe spun toward the bed.

Tobias sat on the edge, his expression serious. He patted the mattress when she didn’t move. “I’ll take Miss Trimble’s letter. Come on. Let’s get this over and done with so you don’t fret about the contents all night.”

Although common sense told her it was none of his business, she locked the door and handed the letter over. She perched next to him, anxiety rising. He quickly ripped open the note. When he finished, he placed it face down upon the bed where she couldn’t reach it. “You don’t want to read it.”

“Why? What does Emma say?”

He sighed. “A lot of things I hope she’s already regretting. I thought better of her to be so spiteful. She blames you for stealing Lord Archibald from her grasp. She hopes never to see you again. That is the sanitized version of her note.”

“I never encouraged him. I don’t care for him beyond what’s required for common courtesy. Emma loves him. I don’t.”

“I know.” Tobias twisted to look up at her. “This needs to be burned and I will hope that Miss Trimble comes to her senses and apologizes before you speak to her again.”

“Give it to me.” Blythe held out her hand. She wasn’t exactly afraid to face a rebuke from her friend. When she replied, she’d explain the situation so Emma would understand how events had really transpired.

Tobias eventually placed the note in her hand. When she read it, she had to admit he was correct. She should have believed him in the first place. That note should have been committed to the flames instead of destroying her hope that her friendship with Emma could ever survive this catastrophe.

Tobias tugged the note from her grip, climbed off the bed, and knelt before the fire. Slowly, he waved the bitter pages over the flames until they caught and were consumed.

Once it was gone, he returned and pulled her into his arms. Blythe burrowed her face into his neck to hide how hurt she was. She’d not encouraged Archibald, but Emma believed the worst of her, and all because he claimed she’d flirted with him.

“You’re not a tease, Blythe. I’m exactly the man to know. I could stand a bit of encouragement.”

Blythe thumped his chest and earned his warm chuckle in her ear.

“See. Nothing flirtatious about that sort of thing,” he whispered.

He shifted until he was propped up against he

r bedpost, holding her fast against his chest. “Shall we see what the others are? I noticed a few familiar names.”

Blythe glanced at them, but didn’t feel enthused about the idea. She was quite content in Tobias’ arms. “I suppose I should, but if they are all similar to Emma’s I don’t think I could bear it tonight.”

His lips brushed her brow. “Then let me take care of the chore for you.”

After a moments pause, Blythe nodded. She was too weary to disagree, and there could be something of importance contained in one that didn’t have anything to do with Lord Archibald’s proposal. When Tobias released her, Blythe perched on the bed to wait.

He tore through them; muttering an occasional curse under his breath. Blythe clenched her hands in her lap, rather glad he wanted to spare her feelings.

Eventually, he tossed the lot onto her writing table, face creased into a scowl. “Three discreet offers to meet and discuss terms, one request to go driving, and two of your female friends really shouldn’t be spoken to again because they are blinkered sheep.”

Blythe shrugged. “That’s not so bad. When I married Venables half the district labeled me a money-hungry adventuress. I’ll survive this.”

“I hope so.” Tobias dropped to his knees at her feet. “In the meantime, I do know a way to distract you, but I’m not sure if you’ll agree. A kiss, without any expectation beyond the moment, might bring sweeter dreams than that nonsense.”

Blythe hesitated a moment and then sat forward. His kiss was tender and drugging and made her forget everything terrible about her day. She closed her eyes as he swept her into their private world of scandalous pleasure. He pulled her closer, but he kept his hands still at her waist. He never once assumed she’d offer more, and when he left her a short time later without a word, she was feeling a little sad over her decision to keep him at bay.