Page 65 of The Earl and the Reluctant Lady
But he’d said she was special. He’d told her that all those other women had been because he’d wanted her and couldn’t have her. Doubt nagged at her mind. Perhaps that was what he told all of the others, too. “I’ve heard the rumors, Christopher.”
“They’re not rumors.” Her brother’s voice echoed in the confines of the carriage.
She’d heard women speak of him, had seen him flirt with countless women. He’d even admitted to her that he’d had affairs with widows, never virgins and never married women. At least he had his standards, she supposed. “He didn’t seduce me,” she said firmly. But had her brother not interrupted them, it was doubtful she’d still be a virgin.
“He likely told you what you wanted to hear. He is a master at manipulating women to get what he wants. But in the end, none of it will mean anything. He’ll never be faithful to you. He’s no different than she is.”
Agnes didn’t need for her brother to explain the “she” he meant was their mother. Chris’s words stabbed at her heart.
“Did he hurt you? Force you to do anything against your wishes?” Chris’s voice was quiet and gentle.
She shook her head. “No, of course not.” No, if there had been any seduction it had been on her part. In that moment she realized tears flowed freely down her cheeks. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d cried. She’d never been one to be overly emotional or sentimental. There hadn’t been room for that in their family. Their mother demanded that everyone meet all of her emotional needs, which left them bereft of feeling for one another.
At some point, she’d either have to tell her brother about the men who solicited her affection, or she’d have to take herself off to a nunnery.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been too overprotective of you, Agnes,” Chris said. “You said you didn’t want to marry and I respected that. Is that still true?”
“I don’t know.” What did it matter if she was open to marriage?
She had no suitors. She couldn’t even fall back on Sullivan. Now fully recognizing that she only wanted Fletcher, no one would ever win her heart. Granted, she would likely accept a proposal from a kindly gentleman if he could provide her with protection.
She supposed she should be glad that Chris had saved her before she ran off with Fletcher in the wake of passionate embraces. Fletcher had awoken in her something that resembled her mother too much for her liking. This was all for the best. And as soon as her heart stopped feeling as if it had been shattered into a million pieces on the floor of this carriage, she’d thank her brother for telling her the truth.
…
Fletcher knew without a doubt that he loved Agnes. Hell, he’d probably loved her since that night they first met. He’d certainly wanted her that long. It seemed unlikely that he’d stop wanting her anytime soon. No other woman had ever been able to quiet his desire for her, no matter how many he’d seduced.
No, he didn’t deserve her, but hell, no one else did, either. Someone needed to marry her. Chris didn’t know what was going on. He didn’t know about the men who’d whispered lewd things in her ears, or about the secret suitor who frightened her.
Marrying him would keep her safe. He’d protect her. He’d be devoted, he’d show Chris that Agnes would be safe as Fletcher’s wife. Eventually, the man would accept the union. And if he didn’t, he could go to the devil.
Convincing Agnes would be the difficult part. Telling her of his devotion wouldn’t persuade her. She didn’t believe in love, she’d told him as much. He’d have to speak her language, give her a practical argument, and let that convince her.
