The Long Awaited Lord
Page 33
But knowing the gift was wrong, she had to refuse it… or at least pretend that she would.
“I can’t accept this—”
“Very well.” Oliver reached out.
Belle yanked it away. “No, it’s mine!”
He laughed, and she watched as he bent over and grabbed his knees. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you move so quickly.”
“Oliver,” she chided. “How could you give this to me? It belonged to your mother.”
When he finally straightened, he shrugged. “I said I’d give it to you, didn’t I?”
“That was five years ago.” And a promise made when they’d been on good terms.
Belle had thought Oliver would propose. Though he’d made no gesture of great love before that time, she’d felt it. She’d looked into his eyes and known he was the one.
And then she’d ruined it.
“I said I’d give it to you,” he said. “So, it’s yours.”
She remembered everything about that day. She’d been healing from an injury, and he’d given her his mother’s old bedchamber. After days of restlessness, she’d begun to explore the room.
She’d found the jewelry box. There had been other treasures, ones far more costly.
Yet she’d tried this necklace on and had been admiring it in the mirror when he’d walked in.
Their eyes had held and then he’d vowed to give it to her.
Later.
By later, she’d believed he’d meant as a wedding gift.
Now, five years later, it was a wedding gift, but she was not marrying the man she wanted to marry.
The man she’d always wanted to marry but knew she never would.
He hated her far too much to tie himself to her forever.
Yet after all this time, he’d kept his word.
Belle pressed the jewel to her chest. She wanted to tell him that it belonged to whoever would become the Marchioness of Venmont, but it was a lie. It was hers. She’d known it and apparently, so had he.
“Put it on me, please.” Her voice shook, and she was shamed by the sound of it and by the tears stinging in her eyes.
When was the last time she’d cried for herself? Had felt any pity about her life?
She turned away so he couldn’t see her face.
His fingers barely touched her as he put the clasp together.
She wiped fervently at her eyes as the tears came. She told herself to stop but couldn’t.
“Let me see it,” Oliver said.
She froze.
He grabbed her shoulders, and she covered her face as he turned her.
She moved her elbows out so he could see the necklace and cleared her throat. “How does it look?”
“I’m… not sure. Why don’t you put your hands down?”
But she couldn’t. Her hands were the only things holding her tears back.
He grabbed her wrist.
She resisted.
He yanked, and she turned her face away.
He grabbed her chin.
She closed her eyes.
His voice held frustration. “Belle, why are you crying?”
Why was she crying? She said the first thought that came to her. “You’re being nice to me. You’re never nice to me.” She pressed her lips together and blinked her eyes. “Not anymore.”
Oliver’s expression was hard. “I was nice to you once. Now, look where we are.”
The guilt of old came rushing back, yet she refused to say she was sorry. She’d said it a million times before. It never changed anything.
Before he could say another heartbreaking word, she left and ran into the house.
See how the story unfolds.
Get the story HERE.
Book List Order
Also by DEBORAH WILSON
∫ ∫ ∫
VALIANT LOVE SERIES
Book 1 - The Perfect Lady
Book 2 - The Perfect Gentleman
Book 3 - The Perfect Duke
Book 4 - The Last Duke
Book 5 - Mark of the Marquess
Book 6 - Dread of The Earl
Book 7 - Scar of The Duke
Book 8 - Wounds of A Viscount
Book 9 - Pain of The Marquess
Book 10 - The Secret Life of a Duke
Book 11 - The Secret Pleasures of An Earl
Book 12 - A Knight of Vengeance
Book 13 - A Knight To Dare
Book 14 - The Marquess Who Kissed Me
Book 15 - The Long Awaited Lord
∫ ∫ ∫
STANDALONE NOVELLA
The Lady's Masquerade
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Copyright and Disclaimer
Copyright © 2019 by Deborah Wilson - All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are either the product of author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this book in any form or by any electronic means without written permission from the author. Recording of this book is strictly prohibited. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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