Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection (Stark World 2.50)

"Is it not possible?"

Katherine was so angry, she could not articulate the words that came immediately to mind. Instead, she turned and walked away.

He deserved it. She could cut him up in small pieces and feed him to the gulls, and most people would think justice had been served. Why did he think he could return and expect any sort of forgiveness, let alone the possibility of winning her heart once more?

He watched her march up the beach, losing traction in the sand. But she held herself with much dignity, like a duchess. Or, perhaps, a countess. She would have been his countess.

But she deserved better. He had taken her heart and trampled it, believing himself obliged to another. He was only twenty when he'd run off with Delphina, a woman of wiles and a good deal more experience, but he still should have known better. He had been a fool and ruined two lives in the process.

But he would not leave Cloverhill until he explained himself, and the trap into which he fell eight years before. Only then could he have release and get on with the rest of his life. But perhaps Katharine would walk with him.

He could not let her go, not again.

He ran up the strand, the wind in his face, the sand shifting beneath his feet. Even though she had a lead, he was bigger and faster. "Katharine, please wait," he shouted, as he gained ground.

"I will never again wait for you, Edward."

"Please let me explain," he said, grasping her arm. He moved his fingers over the fabric of her dress and felt the delicate musculature beneath. The warmth of her skin sent a spark of keen awareness through his body, and he felt like a boy again, aching to kiss a beautiful woman for the first time.

"I ... I can't let you go," he said hoarsely. The deprivation he had brought to them both was bad enough to reflect upon through the years, but devastating when confronting her in the flesh.

She pulled from him again.

"You already have let me go. There is no going back to what we were, my lord. Once something is done, there are no second chances."

She, who once danced on the sand and splashed him in the sea, was now a sensible woman with a mature wisdom. He did that to her.

"Of course there are second chances, Miss Wharton. If one gets onto a horse and slips off, one immediately gets on and tries again."

"We are not speaking of an accident, my lord, but a willful deed that harms another." She glanced up at the escarpment. "If one pushes another off the cliff, it is no accident, and punishment is merited."

"I have been punished," he said. "Not only in the choices I made, but in the tragic losses of several who were dear to me."

"That is certainly not my affair," she said, and turned from him, blinking into the salty spray off the sea.

This time, he did indeed let her go.

THE OCTAGON LADIES PERSUADED Katharine that nothing would revive her spirits as much as attending the ball at Fairfields. Mrs. Wharton agreed and sent a lady's maid to the Octagon House, several ornate hair combs, and a parcel of dinner gowns from her sisters' closets.

While making a great show of resisting such attempts to bring her back into society, Katharine had to admit she rather enjoyed herself--and didn't look half bad. Indeed, she looked splendid in a gold gown overlaid with green sarsenet that set off the sun-touched tone of her skin.

"I should think a gold necklace would be quite the thing, miss," said the maid.

"So they might be, Nell. But I own but one necklace, and pearls will have to do for me."

"Oh, but pearls are splendid for ..." the maid broke off when Katharine reached into a box. "But what is that?"

"That," said Katherine, "is a shell. I had it added to the strand when the pearls were restrung. It is a little talisman, a reminder of a happiness that once was mine."

Nell frowned. "I don't know about wearing shells, Miss."

"But I do. And what is a pearl but a fortunate gift from an unwitting little oyster? This little shell served a useful purpose, as it shall again this evening." Katharine caressed it thoughtfully as Nell secured the clasp.

"You seem distracted, Lord Penfield," said a pretty young woman.

"I apologize, Miss Watson. I am overly curious to see those I might recognize. Lady DuChamp seems to have invited everyone in the county to her ball."

"And you are now among our number," said Miss Watson. "I understand you have taken Bellevue."