Page 40 of The Earl and the Reluctant Lady
But if he walked down that road he would eventually ruin everything. He would break her heart, lose her forever, and he would never be able to forgive himself.
So, he lied. Like his life depended on it. Even though it nearly killed him.
“Yes. That’s what it’s always like.”
The shock and hurt that flashed through her eyes only strengthened his resolve. He was already hurting her, but this was nothing to the heartache marriage to him would bring.
You’re a no-good wastrel. A simpering, stuttering idiot.
His grandfather’s words rattled through his head. Cruel old bastard. That didn’t mean the man was wrong. Fletcher knew he didn’t deserve Agnes. The men in his family hurt women, which was all they ever did. He wouldn’t do that to Agnes.
Abruptly, he stood and walked away, leaving her there in the garden, beautiful and freshly kissed. And even more beyond his reach than she had been the first time he’d kissed her.
