Tempting Miss Allender (Regency Rakes 3) by Wendy Vella Page B

until I arrived in London. Then I was expected to be an adult suddenly. It was frightening, and I had no one to explain those fears to, as my parents did not seem to understand. The only friend I did have was struggling with the changes to her life, just as I was.”
    “And I was a friend from your childhood, one you should have been able to turn to—but I was not there for you.”
    “Yes, and even though those feelings were irrational, and you were burdened by grief and a young man who did not want to be seen with an unpopular debutante, you hurt me.”
    “I am sorry, Patience.”
    “I know you were suffering too. I saw the pain inside you and even forgave you for your behavior, but that bet…” She took a deep breath. “That was what made me realize that I could stand it no longer. I begged Mother and Father to let me go home, and they finally relented, but it was only to be a brief break, then I would return. But I became ill.”
    “I am sorry, Patience, more than mere words can say. I would like to make it up to you now. Will you let me be the friend you need?”
     
    “No.”
    Patience stepped back, away from his touch, and she missed the feel of his hand on her cheek so much that she knew she was doing the right thing. She could not be distracted by this man again. She would not love him again and become blind to everything else.
    “You have so many friends that there is no room for one more?”
    He was smiling at her, a gentle smile that made his eyes soften, and Patience longed to hurl herself at him for just a few minutes and feel his strength. She had been the strong one for so long, with only her siblings to lean on. To have him at her side…
    No! She cut that thought off before it could take hold.
    “Friendship with me brings forth memories of your brother, Mathew, and those cause you pain. Also, I cannot forget what you did to me seven years ago. Surely you can see that these two things alone are enough for us to no longer be friends?”
    She watched as he slid a hand to his chest and knew that she had made the right decision.
    “Can you forgive me for what I did, Patience?”
    He was truly a beautiful man, she thought. His hair was tousled, his cheeks colored from his recent exercise, and she felt it again: the ache in her heart.
    “I forgive you, but it does not mean I will forget.”
    “I cannot ask for more.”
    “From now on I will be pleasant when we meet, Lord Belmont, but I can promise no more than that.”
    “I respect the stand you have taken, but be warned that I will endeavor to persuade you from it.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I want you in my life.”
    “But Anthony—”
    “This is about us, not my brother.”
    Patience felt her heart begin to thud as he leaned toward her. “That kiss in your gallery should not have happened, my lord. Now please follow me and I shall take you to tea.”
    “Call me Mathew.”
    “I don’t take well to orders, my lord.” Patience dug her toes into her slippers to stop herself from taking a step backward.
    “Now, there’s a surprise.” He was so close that if she inhaled she would smell him.
    “‘Grown to my lip, thou sacred kiss, on which my soul’s beloved swore…’”
    “Wh-what are you doing? Why are you reciting Thomas Moore to me?” Patience felt panic clench her insides. Thomas Moore was her favorite poet; surely he did not remember that from the years when they had been friends. To hear him say those words in his deep, rich voice made her skin tingle. She did not want to tingle, or feel weak at the knees. She had no time for that.
    “Because friends remember things about each other, Patience. I may have treated you badly, and done many wrongs that I cannot right, but I remember that ‘The Kiss’ was your favorite poem, by your favorite poet.”
    “We cannot be friends,” Patience whispered, “and I have just explained why.”
    “But I don’t agree.”
    He didn’t touch her, just lowered his head and placed his lips