Read Online The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection: Nine Historical Romances Celebrate Marrying for All the Right Reasons by Gina Welborn and Kathleen Y’Barbo Erica Vetsch Connie Stevens Gabrielle Meyer Shannon McNear Cynthia Hickey Susanne Dietze Amanda Barratt - Free Book Online Page B

“Might I speak with you a moment?”
    He played his part and looked surprised. “Of course, darling.”
    She stood, a helpful footman pulling back her chair, and led the way out of the room. They walked in silence through the house and to the double doors. Outside, a chill wind bit the air, heavy clouds hovering overhead. Neither spoke until they reached the back lawn, directly in front of the dining room window. A perfect stage for the terrible drama that would unfold.
    He let himself gaze at her a moment more, his hand aching to grab hers. The breeze tugged at her hair. She kept her eyes downcast, refusing to look at him.
    “You’ve done well,” he said in an undertone. “The money will be waiting at your apartment as soon as you arrive home. I’ve left an envelope under your door with a first-class ticket for the ten o’clock train tonight.”
    She nodded. He took a step closer, a sudden longing for her rising up in him so fiercely it made him ache. She’d become so much more than an employee. Yet it couldn’t continue. He couldn’t care for her in that way. She wouldn’t reciprocate. Or if she did, how could he be sure it wasn’t love for his rank and station that drove her? He couldn’t be sure.
    “Go ahead.” He waited for her words, the ones that would forever erase his status as an eligible bachelor.
    She drew in a breath, finally meeting his gaze. “Are you sure you want me to do this?” Pain filled her eyes. “There are other options.”
    No. He wanted, needed society’s glorification of him to stop. He nodded.
    “How could you do this to me?” She raised her voice loud enough to be heard in the dining room. “How many women, exactly, do you keep, Mr. Buchanan? Five? Ten? And you expect me, an honest girl, to marry you?” Her eyes flashed. A Juliet berating her Romeo. Though he’d seen many performances, done by many famed actresses, none were as convincing as the one Ada enacted now.
    “Calm down, darling.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, but she jerked away.
    “Calm down? How can I? What lady would be calm when she finds another woman in her fiancé’s room this very evening? How did you get her to the house? Hmm? I suspect you had her sent over in your private railcar? And to think, just today you told me again you loved me.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, real tears.
    He watched her. Silent. Though the story was untrue, remorse burned through him. For every laugh. Every moment of teasing banter. Every second he’d let himself look at her and dream of more.
    “And then to find the note. ‘Caroline darling, I love you. You’re the only woman in the world for me. I cannot live without you.’ The very same words you said to me when you proposed. How many other women have you said them to, I wonder? It seems I cannot trust you.”
    Overhead, stars winked in the sky. The ring on her finger flashed as she pulled it off and threw it at him. It landed on the grass at his feet. “You know what the worst part about it is? I actually believed for just a brief moment that you cared for me. Foolishly, I let myself care for you. No, not care. Love. I loved you.”
    The last words weren’t in the script he’d given her. Nor was the long look of mingled sorrow and regret.
    By now, everyone sitting at the table would have focused their complete attention on them. Good. It wouldn’t take long before all the Four Hundred would be gossiping about it over their tea tables.
    “I hate you now. Far more than I ever loved you. It’s over. Consider our engagement at an end.” She flung the words over her shoulder as she ran across the lawn toward the house. Where she would pack her things, get on a train, and be out of his life for good.
    He glanced at the window and the aghast expressions of those around the table. Violet smiled smugly. His mother’s face filled with despair. Only Mamie didn’t look surprised. She did look angry.
    He bent down and picked up the ring, still warm from her