Utterly Devoted by Regina Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

promised me a position managing one of his estates.”
    “Indeed.”
    Her decidedly chilly tone was not the least encouraging, but he pressed on.
    “Knowing you as I did, I felt sure your generosity of spirit would shine forth and you would also support me in my change of heart. I realize we parted under difficult circumstances, but I assure you that I bear no ill will.”
    Her green eyes were as cold as the waters of the North Sea. “How very charitable of you, to be sure.”
    Her sarcasm was so obvious he knew he was in trouble. He would have to try harder. He went down on one knee before her. Her eyes widened in obvious surprise.
    “Miss Watkin, Eloise,” he implored, gathering her icy hands into his warmer grip. “Surely you remember what we meant to each other once. I realize you may feel differently now, but could you not find it in your heart to forgive me?”
    Her posture seemed to grow even more rigid. She withdrew her hands from his. Her rose lips pulled back over straight white teeth.
    “Never,” she spat.
     

Chapter Six
     
    Eloise had the pleasure of watching Jareth blink in confusion. It would have been even more satisfying if he had flinched or cried aloud, but given his black heart, confusion was probably the best she could hope for.
    “I beg your pardon?” he tried.
    “Yes, you did. You begged my pardon, and I refused to give it. Completely understandable given our situation, I should think.”
    His look lightened, intensifying the blue of his gaze. “Of course. I was too precipitous. Forgive me for not explaining myself further. The delight of seeing you again tied my tongue.”
    So, he still thought words would be enough to sway her. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Your tongue, Mr. Darby, seems to be the only thing that is working, for if your brain were as agile, you would understand why I cannot forgive you.”
    When she did not elaborate, he frowned, silvery brows lowering over his long nose. “Perhaps my brain is addled, as you say. Please tell me what concerns you.”
    She could feel Bryerton standing by the door and knew she could not tell Jareth all she would have preferred. She settled for the most grievous sin. “You did not think to contact me before now?”
    “I did not dare,” he replied simply, with that smile that would once have made her heart flutter in her chest. The fact that it was nearly doing that very thing now only made her sit straighter.
    “You did not dare or you could not be bothered,” she accused.
    “I assure you it was the former. I thought it best not to make our connection more widely known.” He cocked his head, bringing her attention to the way his platinum hair curled around his ear. “I had my valet check on you, but when he returned with no bad news, I assumed I was the more affected by the event. After all, I’m the one who ended up with a scar on his ...”
    She bolted to her feet. “That will be all, Bryerton!” Scowling at Jareth for putting her once more in an untenable position, she waved her butler out.
    But just as Jareth could not conceive of his own faults, so evidently Bryerton could not conceive that she would purposely break with propriety.
    “Shall I escort Mr. Darby to the door, Miss Watkin?” he asked in evident confusion.
    “No, thank you,” she said pointedly, feeling herself grow redder with each word. “I must speak with Mr. Darby, alone.”
    Bryerton’s facial expression did not change from its usual solemnity, but by the way he stiffened she knew she had offended him. Still, he obviously did not want to compound her error with one of his own, namely to point out how scandalously she was behaving.
    “As you wish, Miss Watkin,” he intoned. He bowed himself out, leaving the withdrawing room door conspicuously open.
    She shook her head. He was obviously trying to salvage her reputation, even if she would not. But her father was just down the corridor in his study, and she could not trust that he would not walk