our only option.”
“I won’t marry you,” she replied, wiping her eyes with his handkerchief. “It was my choice to go along with you. I will not allow you to suffer the consequences.”
“But there is no other way.”
Katherine clenched the handkerchief in her hand. “There must be.”
He looked displeased by her response. “Why is the thought of marrying me so repulsive to you?” he asked with anger in his voice.
She sighed. This was not going well, and she knew she needed to choose her next words carefully. “I am not repulsed by the thought of marrying you, but—”
“Am I not rich enough for you?” he asked, cutting her off.
“That has nothing to do with it.”
His jaw clenched. “Do you seek a higher title?”
“No!” she exclaimed. “I refuse to have you enter into a marriage of convenience because of my choices. You deserve better.”
His stern, tired face relaxed slightly, but his words came out firm. “There is no other way. When we return to Town, I will secure us a special license, and we will be wed.”
“Are you not even listening to me?”
He took a step closer to her. “I could have told you no and prevented you from entering the coach, but I allowed you to accompany me to Gretna Green,” he explained. “I am responsible for this mess, and I intend to do what is right to fix it.”
“I won’t let you,” she said, tilting up her chin defiantly.
“You don’t have much choice in the matter.”
She reared back. “I beg your pardon?”
“If you don’t marry me, then you will be ruined, taking away all chances of your sisters acquiring advantageous marriages,” he said, his voice softening. “You must think of them.”
Her eyes left his and became fixed on his lapels. “I will have to speak to my sisters right away about this,” she muttered.
Lord Berkshire placed his finger under her chin and lifted it, peering deep into her eyes. “You will see that it is for the best that we marry.”
For a brief moment, Katherine felt joy at the thought of marrying Lord Berkshire, but the harsh reality came crashing down around her. This would be a marriage of convenience. He wasn’t marrying her because he loved her or held her in some regard. No. He was only marrying her because he felt responsible for her.
But she was to blame. Not him. And she refused to make him suffer the consequences of her actions.
With a rigid back, Katherine kept her gaze firmly on the darkened window, being mindful to avoid Lord Berkshire’s watchful eye. They had barely spoken since leaving the coaching inn, and, frankly, she preferred that. She couldn’t seem to find the right words to express the dilemma that she found herself in.
A marriage to Lord Berkshire would be disastrous, especially since she had developed feelings for him. Feelings that would not go away once they were married. If anything, they would continue to deepen, and she would be in the unfortunate position of pining after her husband.
No.
That would most certainly not do.
Her heart wouldn’t be able to take the rejection, time and time again. For she was fairly certain that Lord Berkshire wouldn’t ever return her feelings. He may admit that they were friends, but that was a far cry from loving someone.
“Katherine,” Lord Berkshire said, breaking through the silence.
The surprise must have been evident on her features because he continued by saying, “I assumed since we are to be wed that we can make use of our given names.”
“That does sound logical,” she reluctantly agreed.
“Would it be permissible if I called you Kate?”
She nodded. “I would prefer it, actually.”
He smiled at her. “It is nice to hear you speak,” he teased. “You have been far too quiet these past few hours.”
“I suppose I have had a lot on my mind,” she replied honestly.
Lord Berkshire’s smile dimmed. “You need not fear for your future,” he began. “I have a sizeable fortune, and I will ensure that you are taken care of.”
“It is not the size of your fortune that I call into question,” she responded.
“Then what are your concerns?”
She sighed as she gathered strength to say her next words. “We would never suit,” she expressed, “you and I.”
Lord Berkshire visibly stiffened. “And why do you say that?”
“We are so vastly different.”
“That may be true,” he replied, “but I think you are wrong.”
“About what?”
His gaze did not waver from hers as he declared, “I think we will suit nicely.”
“You do?”
He gave her a devilishly charming smile that made