The shiver that rippled down Willette’s spine wasn’t caused by the shadow that appeared on the ground beside her. It was due to the person who cast that shadow. Without examining it, or looking over her shoulder, she knew by the way her body tingled and her heart thudded that it was Rafael.
How she had the wherewithal to snip the stems of the flowers clutched in her hand, she’d never know, but she managed to cut the thick green stalks of the lilies and lay them in the basket beside her without crushing the large white flowers.
‘I’ve come to apologise, Willette,’ Rafael said softly. ‘If you’ll allow me.’
The words, his voice, his very presence cut as cleanly as her gardening shears, in a spot inside her that had never been so much as touched before. In the past few days, the admiration and high regard she’d felt for him had become something deeper and stronger.
She couldn’t love him, knew it was useless, yet she loved him, nonetheless.
She laid her shears in the basket and rose to her feet, willing herself to find the strength to face him. Her knees grew weak as she turned, came face to face with the most handsome, most loveable man on earth and she was proud of herself for remaining standing. ‘You have nothing to apologise for.’
‘I believe I do.’
His features were soft, his eyes filled with tenderness, and she feared tears would burst forward from her own at any moment. Reaching down, she picked up the basket with a trembling hand. ‘I’m cutting flowers for my cousin. She’ll be home this afternoon.’
‘The butler mentioned that. And that the children were sleeping, so I’ll keep my voice down.’
She shook her head, mainly because her tongue was too twisted, her throat too dry, for words.
‘Could we sit over there, on the bench, for a moment?’ he asked.
Denying herself one last moment with him was impossible.
‘Have you ever ridden a horse?’ he asked once they were seated.
‘Yes,’ she answered, practically overwhelmed by how his thigh was touching hers.
‘Then you know that you have to get back on after you get bucked off.’
She understood what he was saying, but couldn’t—
He interrupted her thoughts. ‘I know everything. I know what Barr did and how you reacted.’
Trembles overcame her hands, and he took hold of one.
‘We can’t let him win,’ Rafael said. ‘I saw that he lost his job, but it’s not enough.’
Full comprehension struck her. ‘You’re the reason the opera-house owner sent me a message?’
‘Yes. He’s sworn his secrecy, and I guarantee he’ll keep it. You have to sing, Willette. Let others hear the beauty of your voice, witness your talent.’
She shook her head because words were impossible.
‘Please sing at Nora’s event.’
‘I can’t,’ she whispered.
‘Yes, you can, I know you can. Your dream is to perform for others, isn’t it?’
Her heart pounding, her gaze dropped to their joined hands.
A small spark of hope flickered inside her, but wasn’t strong enough to battle the fear that held her captive. Even if she sang at Nora’s event, Rafael would still be lost to her for ever.
Log in or create an account to read the next chapter of "In Need of a Noble Bride"
Every month we select a new title from one of our authors so that you can discover new stories, locations and genres for free.