would you be? I can’t marry you.”
Her eyes pressed closed and when they opened, fury masked her pain. “Stop treating me as if I don’t know my own mind! If you haven’t noticed, I’m a grown woman.” With a deep breath she seemed in complete control of herself. “I’ll continue to help with Phoebe only until a governess is found, but don’t touch me again.”
Before he could stop her, she rushed from the room.
“Elizabeth. Elizabeth, stop!”
She never turned back.
Chapter 10
Elizabeth angrily brushed the tears from her face as she raced up the stairs, barefoot. She didn’t stop until she reached her room and secured the door. Not because she was worried Gabe would follow. He’d left no doubt as to his feelings for her.
She let her body slouch against the door. He had made it quite clear he didn’t want anything from her. Well, nothing besides a quick tumble.
How did this happen? One moment she’d been in his embrace, feeling sensations she’d never imagined existed. It had felt like heaven with Gabe’s strong arms around her, his lips kissing her, his rough hands touching her. And just as quickly, she’d fallen from paradise.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and released it slowly. How could he shut everything off and spurn her so easily? It had taken her several moments to collect herself. Hadn’t he been swept away as she had? Her entire body had been on fire.
None of it made sense. He had been so gentle. Then, to repeat several times how he couldn’t be with her. Not that he didn’t want to be . . . but couldn’t.
Needing some air, she pushed away from the door, crossed to the window, and opened it. She peered out into the night as the breeze cooled her overheated body. Slowly she relaxed, her anger easing. With a clearer head, she reflected on what had transpired.
This would have been avoided if she hadn’t taken Emma’s advice and presented herself to Gabe in a state of undress. There were probably very few men who could happen upon a woman in a nightgown and walk away.
Embarrassment stomped out any remaining anger. How had she been foolish enough to go along with Emma’s plan? A chill, that had nothing to do with the open window, pebbled her skin to goosebumps.
The evening had ended dreadfully but one thing had become clear. Gabe didn’t love her. As hurtful as her words had been to utter, she would leave once she found a governess for Phoebe.
More pain resonated through her. In one short evening, not only did she lose Gabe, but Phoebe, too. Her fingers trembled as she closed the window, dimmed the lamp, and crawled into bed. Her heart might be broken but somehow she would get through this. Until then, she had to push through for Phoebe’s sake. The child had had enough upheaval in her life. She didn’t need Elizabeth’s distress adding to it.
If only the thought of seeing Gabe didn’t send fresh tears down her cheeks.
Two days later Elizabeth realized Gabe had taken her words to heart. Not only did he avoid touching her, he avoided her altogether. Unlike before, it was now plain she was the reason he stayed away. Thoughts of being in the same room with him might send shivers down her back, but not seeing him tore her heart into pieces.
While with Phoebe, she tried to keep a smile on her face, but she knew it often fell short. It didn’t help that Phoebe was a miniature of Gabe. Even if she managed to push him from her mind, it all came rushing back with one glance at those striking Wesbrook features.
Being with Phoebe created its own heartbreak. How could she smile and laugh with the child when in a few short days she would be leaving Phoebe forever? She never should have come here. What had she been thinking? Yet even with all she knew, she wouldn’t have changed it. Knowing was better than always wondering. At least now she could move on with her life. Find a future alone because her heart would always belong to Gabe and she refused to dishonor her parents’ memory
Her eyes pressed closed and when they opened, fury masked her pain. “Stop treating me as if I don’t know my own mind! If you haven’t noticed, I’m a grown woman.” With a deep breath she seemed in complete control of herself. “I’ll continue to help with Phoebe only until a governess is found, but don’t touch me again.”
Before he could stop her, she rushed from the room.
“Elizabeth. Elizabeth, stop!”
She never turned back.
Chapter 10
Elizabeth angrily brushed the tears from her face as she raced up the stairs, barefoot. She didn’t stop until she reached her room and secured the door. Not because she was worried Gabe would follow. He’d left no doubt as to his feelings for her.
She let her body slouch against the door. He had made it quite clear he didn’t want anything from her. Well, nothing besides a quick tumble.
How did this happen? One moment she’d been in his embrace, feeling sensations she’d never imagined existed. It had felt like heaven with Gabe’s strong arms around her, his lips kissing her, his rough hands touching her. And just as quickly, she’d fallen from paradise.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and released it slowly. How could he shut everything off and spurn her so easily? It had taken her several moments to collect herself. Hadn’t he been swept away as she had? Her entire body had been on fire.
None of it made sense. He had been so gentle. Then, to repeat several times how he couldn’t be with her. Not that he didn’t want to be . . . but couldn’t.
Needing some air, she pushed away from the door, crossed to the window, and opened it. She peered out into the night as the breeze cooled her overheated body. Slowly she relaxed, her anger easing. With a clearer head, she reflected on what had transpired.
This would have been avoided if she hadn’t taken Emma’s advice and presented herself to Gabe in a state of undress. There were probably very few men who could happen upon a woman in a nightgown and walk away.
Embarrassment stomped out any remaining anger. How had she been foolish enough to go along with Emma’s plan? A chill, that had nothing to do with the open window, pebbled her skin to goosebumps.
The evening had ended dreadfully but one thing had become clear. Gabe didn’t love her. As hurtful as her words had been to utter, she would leave once she found a governess for Phoebe.
More pain resonated through her. In one short evening, not only did she lose Gabe, but Phoebe, too. Her fingers trembled as she closed the window, dimmed the lamp, and crawled into bed. Her heart might be broken but somehow she would get through this. Until then, she had to push through for Phoebe’s sake. The child had had enough upheaval in her life. She didn’t need Elizabeth’s distress adding to it.
If only the thought of seeing Gabe didn’t send fresh tears down her cheeks.
Two days later Elizabeth realized Gabe had taken her words to heart. Not only did he avoid touching her, he avoided her altogether. Unlike before, it was now plain she was the reason he stayed away. Thoughts of being in the same room with him might send shivers down her back, but not seeing him tore her heart into pieces.
While with Phoebe, she tried to keep a smile on her face, but she knew it often fell short. It didn’t help that Phoebe was a miniature of Gabe. Even if she managed to push him from her mind, it all came rushing back with one glance at those striking Wesbrook features.
Being with Phoebe created its own heartbreak. How could she smile and laugh with the child when in a few short days she would be leaving Phoebe forever? She never should have come here. What had she been thinking? Yet even with all she knew, she wouldn’t have changed it. Knowing was better than always wondering. At least now she could move on with her life. Find a future alone because her heart would always belong to Gabe and she refused to dishonor her parents’ memory
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