She laughed without amusement. “You don’t have to heal every hurt, West, although it’s sweet to think the chivalrous boy still lurks under that worldly hide.”
He winced at the word “sweet.” Between falling at her feet like a poltroon and completely misinterpreting her past, he was making a damned fool of himself. Something about Helena undermined arrogance. Worse, he wanted to protect and cherish her.
How she’d scoff if he admitted that.
“I always wished you well.”
Her memorable features softened into true beauty. “I’m sorry it’s taken so long to forgive you.”
West released a breath that he felt he’d held for years. Her resentment had always niggled like a stone in his shoe. Whatever else tonight brought, he was damned grateful that at last they reached an understanding.
“At least you have.” When he made to close in on her, she waved her hand to keep him at a distance.
“I need to say this before we go on. Crewe always said I’m…unnatural. It was my fault that he had to find ease elsewhere.”
That slimy, vicious sod. “That’s self-serving spite.”
“He could be spiteful. But…” She looked away toward the window. “Perhaps he was right, and I’m incapable of a woman’s response.”
Helena incapable of desire? He’d never heard such claptrap. “You forget I’ve held you in my arms.”
“That was a long time ago.” Still she avoided his eyes. These confidences tested her pride. “And we never…”
“You were only sixteen, and my best friend’s sister. I have a small measure of honor.”
“Silas would have killed you.”
“Slowly and painfully. And then he’d put my body through a mincer.” West ran his hand through his hair. “Helena, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you, apart from a capacity to hold a grudge.”
“I hope you’re right.” He made another move. Again she gestured him back. “I haven’t finished.”
With a theatrical sigh, he rolled his eyes. “I was wrong. This is worse than contracting to build a new townhouse.”
“If…if this arrangement goes ahead, I reserve the right to end it.”
“Once you’ve satisfied curiosity?” Sourness tinged his question. “I don’t feel like an architect anymore. I feel like the subject of a scientific experiment.”
She didn’t smile. “You don’t have to agree.”
“Yes, I do.” Not only because he wanted her more than he’d wanted anything else in his life. After tonight’s revelations, he had the strangest feeling that she needed him. Even if she didn’t recognize it, and would never admit it if she did.
“Because you’ve got something to prove?”
He was canny enough not to confide his thoughts. “Maybe.”
“And you’re not to mention marriage.”
West swept a finger across his lips to indicate they were forever sealed. “No M words.”
“I mean it.”
She didn’t trust his easy cooperation. A smart girl, his Helena. But in this, he was at least one step ahead of her. She’d forgotten his reputation as a negotiator. Tonight, her concessions exceeded his most extravagant hopes. From here, he could forge ahead and win the war.
Helena Wade didn’t know it yet, but he had her exactly where he wished.
As if taking an oath, he raised his hand. “For the duration of our stay at Woodley Park, I foreswear all mention of marriage, wedding, vicar, wife, husband, nuptials, proposals, and all similar and related terms, so help me, God.”
“You’re looking too pleased with yourself, West.” Her tone was suspicious. “I don’t like it.”